Look, let's be honest: following the seismic success of Genshin Impact, the market has been flooded with high-budget subculture titles. With hits like Wuthering Waves, Zenless Zone Zero, and Honkai: Star Rail setting the pace, it feels like at least one AAA powerhouse drops every year. These titles are so polished and massive in scale that one has to wonder if there is any room left for a newcomer to crack the status quo.

Hotta Studio’s Neverness to Everness is yet another contender aiming for that AAA tier. Having spent some time with its closed beta test since the 13th, I was genuinely caught off guard by the sheer production value—it’s a stark reminder of the muscle Chinese developers are flexing these days. I was particularly drawn to how the 'deduction' mechanics are woven into the combat-heavy gameplay, not to mention the vibrant, lived-in atmosphere of the city.

Set in 'Sylvania,' a city dripping with Victorian and Gothic aesthetics, you begin by choosing one of two protagonists. The environment is drenched in golden hues that evoke the spirit of Gustav Klimt. It’s a city caught in the tension of a grand coronation, shadowed by the recent assassination of the former queen and the creeping threat of werewolves lurking in the alleys.

Your protagonist is a detective still reeling from the personal loss caused by that very assassination. When Inspector 'Lorn' finds himself understaffed—thanks to the local police replacing the traditional knights—he calls you back to the city. Naturally, your homecoming is greeted by an assassination attempt from a shapeshifting werewolf. A warm welcome, indeed.

The inspector tasks you with a gruesome case: a body so badly charred that the truth is literally burned away. When a journalist meets a similarly grim fate, your investigation takes a turn, forcing you to infiltrate police headquarters. Along the way, you’ll reconnect with old allies and face off against the city’s new security chief in a proper boss encounter.

As a detective, your specialty is 'Investigation and Realization.' You can observe suspects to spot irregularities or peel back the mask of monsters hiding in human skin. Your 'Insight' allows you to reconstruct events visually. The game renders these as simulated virtual spaces, letting you piece together clues in a way that actually makes you feel like you’re doing the legwork.

The visual polish is the first thing that hits you. A massive amount of effort went into character design. While the male protagonist feels a bit standard, the female lead is a standout—from her eyes and attire to her idiosyncratic personality. The voice acting is a bit hit-or-miss, but considering this is a closed beta, it’s well within the realm of acceptable.

The combat animations are fluid, and the visual feedback during your 'simulations'—where the background desaturates to help you focus—is a masterclass in immersion. Because your 'investigation' ability requires you to study your foes, the level of detail on their weapons and regalia is staggering.

The city itself is a Victorian-inspired triumph. The developers make fantastic use of golden light, which contrasts beautifully with the silver 'Silver Craft' gear you use in battle—a deliberate nod to the city’s name, Sylvania.

From the NPCs bustling about to the fallen leaves that flutter when you pass, the city feels alive. With unique elements like 'Geochu' and 'LS (Liquid Silver) organisms' pulsating with strange energy, Sylvania establishes a distinct identity within minutes of exploration.

Traversing this city is a treat. While there are a few bugs typical of a test build—like getting stuck on geometry or the occasional stiff movement—the side quests and activities do a stellar job of making Sylvania feel like a real place.

Beyond the main narrative, there are plenty of side tasks. They aren't particularly long, usually involving travel or combat, but they are expertly woven into the lore. Take the maid companion 'Alf,' for instance; her quest chain involves helping her understand the world, which serves as both a character-building exercise and a way to flesh out the city's history.

Beyond quests, you’ve got the usual open-world checklists: challenges, treasure chests, and resource gathering. Each district has a completion tracker—clearing enemies and finding loot nets you growth materials. It’s a standard loop, but effective.

Then there’s the 'real estate' system. Much like in certain open-world titles, you can invest in local businesses like 'John's Pizza.' It’s a cheeky little addition that adds a layer of economic realism, making the city feel like more than just a backdrop for combat.

Despite the stellar presentation, the combat and some systems feel a bit dated. It’s a 'parry-heavy' affair. You’ve got your standard attacks, skills, and ultimates, plus 'surprise attacks' that consume a reactor gauge. While the parry feels tight, the enemies are relentless and have such high tracking that it can feel unfair at times.

When the screen gets crowded, your field of view becomes a liability. Furthermore, the lack of hit reaction when your character takes damage makes it difficult to track your health bar without constant glancing. Combat can become a repetitive, tiring cycle, and the lack of skill variety suggests it needs a serious rethink before launch.

Even for a beta, there is simply too much repetitive busywork. You’ve got 'Daily Prep,' 'Matrix Deduction,' 'Combat Review,' and 'Incident Recall'—the list of chores for growth materials is endless. However, the 'Culprit Tracking' mode, a roguelike dungeon for upgrading your Silver Craft gear, was a genuine blast. It offered a satisfying sense of power that the main game sometimes lacks.

Much of the world design leans into what we call the 'Ubisoft-style open world'—treasure hunting and clearing mobs will only keep you entertained for so long. Plus, the lack of a jump button makes exploration feel needlessly restrictive. Still, if they can trim the fat and refine the combat, Neverness to Everness has the raw potential to go toe-to-toe with the titans of the genre.