Neverness to Everness is set to hold its first closed beta test, but only in China

Hotta Studios' open-world RPG, Neverness to Everness, is gearing up for its first closed beta test – but there's a catch. This initial test will be exclusive to mainland China. While international fans will have to wait, Gematsu offers a glimpse into the game's intriguing lore and setting.

The recently revealed lore expands on the previously shown city of Eibon (see trailer below), highlighting a blend of quirky humor and the unusual juxtapositions of life in Hetherau. Given Hotta Studios' connection to Perfect World (creators of the successful Tower of Fantasy), Neverness to Everness enters a competitive 3D RPG market with a distinct urban focus.

One standout feature is open-world driving. Players can cruise the city streets at high speeds in customizable vehicles, experiencing realistic crash physics. However, the game will face challenges from established titles like MiHoYo's Zenless Zone Zero and NetEase's Ananta (formerly Project Mugen), both of which occupy similar niches in the mobile 3D RPG landscape.