Multiple Anime-Style RPGs Take the Spotlight as Neverness to Everness Goes Free on PS5

You are getting a new free-to-play title on PlayStation 5, and it is already pulling in a fairly solid reception. The feedback you see is mixed, but it leans more positive than negative overall. At the same time, it falls into the familiar gacha category, which you might already feel tired of. Even so, Neverness to Everness stands out enough at first glance to be worth your attention.

The first thing you notice about it is the emphasis on open-world exploration, mixed with urban city life. You are not just moving through empty landscapes, but rather navigating a living city environment that tries to feel active and dynamic. That blend gives it a slightly different identity compared to other anime-style RPGs in the same space. It is clearly aiming to hook you with both exploration and atmosphere rather than just combat or character collecting.

The game is available now at no cost, which lowers the barrier to entry quite a bit.

You can download it on PlayStation 5 and jump in without spending anything upfront. That approach is common in gacha-driven titles, where the goal is to get you invested first before introducing monetization. You already know how that structure works, and this game does not try to hide it.

Microtransactions are fully present, and you will see them early on. But like many other games like this, it is still playable without having to pay up front. Titles like Wuthering Waves have already shown that free-to-play can feel complete if handled properly. You are stepping into a space that is getting more competitive, with games like Arknights: Endfield already out and others like Ananta still on the horizon.

There has been some confusion between Neverness and Everness and Ananta, but they are not the same game. You are dealing with two separate projects that just happen to share a similar style and audience. Neverness to Everness is available now, while Ananta is likely further away, possibly landing closer to 2027 rather than this year. That distinction matters if you have been tracking both.

In Neverness to Everness, you are placed in the city of Hetharu, which serves as the main open world. The setting merges the mundane with the supernatural, creating a space where the strange is the norm. You play the city’s first unlicensed anomaly hunter, which sets the tone for what you’ll be doing right away. It’s not just exploration; it’s dealing with strange things happening to the world itself.

You operate out of a run-down antique shop called Eibon. This joint makes a living doing anomaly work for whoever pays. This place is your bread and butter. You’ll meet various characters throughout the game that add different personalities and stories to the mix. The story is based on both light and emotional moments, giving you a mix of tones rather than one style.

The city is designed to be alive, and you can see it in the presentation of various elements. You could be in a government office with odd people waiting for permits. Or you might see small things like one person using supernatural powers in casual settings. These touches are supposed to make the world feel alive, not static. The aim is to make you feel that there is always something going on around you.

That’s the kind of design lots of open-world games aim for, but it’s not always straightforward to pull off. There’s a difference between promising a living world and making it feel like one in gameplay. You'll probably have to live with it for a while to see if it lasts. It'll be more about the execution than the idea itself.

As you progress, you will find a variety of storylines to follow.

And they are buoyed by character interactions that veer toward the lighter side, even when dealing with odd themes. The game has various customization options, giving you some control over your experience. There is also a giant range of characters to collect, and their rarity is key to how gacha systems work.

This is a huge part of it, since character design usually defines how invested you are in it. The game is about the desire to unlock and play different characters along the way. At the same time, it’s a crowded market and harder to get noticed. You may be thinking of this game in the context of some other titles you’ve already played, whether you know it or not.

Gameplay-wise, the emphasis on exploration might appeal more if you’re more interested in walking around places than managing systems. This game feels a lot more open than something like Arknights: Endfield, which has more of a building/structured mechanic. That might affect how much you like it. It’s a matter of whether you’re more into exploration or system management.

The game also supports PlayStation 5 Pro enhancements, which gives you an upgraded experience if you are using that system. That includes better performance and visuals, depending on how it is implemented. It is another detail that shows the developers are trying to position the game as a modern release. You are getting something that at least attempts to meet current expectations.

There are also early rewards available through various codes, which is typical for games like these. You can use them to skip ahead without doing any extra work. Getting you involved early on is part of the onboarding process. These incentives aren’t unusual, but they do help ease you into the game.

At the same time, the monetization is already fully active. You can purchase in-game currency, known as Rift Crystals, in different amounts. The pricing ranges from smaller purchases to larger ones that go up to one hundred dollars. You are not required to spend, but the option is always there.

If you choose to try it yourself, the best way to do so is to stick to the free content initially. You can explore the world, test the mechanics, and see how it feels without paying. That way, you are making a more informed decision about whether it is worth your time. The game gives you enough access early on to figure that out.

Alongside this release, there is another announcement that may catch your attention.

FuRyu has introduced a new roguelike action game called Crimelight. This project connects to their previous titles, including Crystar and Crymachina. If you are familiar with those, you already have an idea of the tone and themes involved.

Crimelight is scheduled to release on November 4 and continues the studio’s focus on darker storytelling. You are following a cast of young heroines dealing with emotional struggles in a fantasy setting. The narrative centers on themes like regret, confession, and personal growth. It is not trying to be light, and that tone carries over into the gameplay.

The main character, Alice, is working through layers of purgatory to regain her memories. You are moving through a repeating structure that fits the roguelike format. Each run builds on the last, even if progress resets in certain ways. That loop is a core part of how the game keeps you engaged.

The combat takes place in a version of Wonderland that has been twisted into something darker. You fight your way through different areas, battling forces that are under one central figure’s control. The action connects to a system called the Wonder Dimension. When you defeat enemies, this system expands across the battlefield and changes how the game plays.

As the Wonder Dimension grows, your abilities become stronger and the pace of combat increases. The changes depend on the skills you have collected during your run. That adds a layer of progression that goes beyond simple upgrades. You are constantly adjusting to what you pick up.

Another system is collecting skill cards and making combinations like poker hands. The better your combos, the more powerful your abilities. This makes it strategic and changes how you approach each engagement. You aren’t only responding; you’re also planning how to build your setup.

The game also has a repentance system, where actions taken in combat become power. As Alice defeats enemies, she takes their burdens and turns them into usable upgrades. You can use these to build up your character. It connects the story themes to gameplay mechanics.

You can use the materials you collect through these systems to upgrade weapons and accessories.

Even when the game resets parts of your progress, these upgrades help you move forward. That structure is typical of roguelike games, but the presentation here tries to make it feel more personal. It’s not just numbers; it’s the story behind the numbers.

There are times outside of combat when characters come together in settings like tea parties. The sections allow for interaction and preparation for the next run. They interrupt the action and provide a different rhythm to the experience. You are given time to reset before heading back in.

Crimelight also offers different ways to play, depending on what you prefer. One mode reduces the interface and focuses more on visuals, while another pulls the camera back and emphasizes clarity in combat. This allows you some control over how the game plays. You can choose which style suits you better.

The base version of the game is priced at $19.99, while the deluxe edition is available for $39.99. The more expensive version comes with bonuses such as game items, a soundtrack, and an art book. These additions don’t change the core experience all that much. You already get the whole game in the regular edition.

Broadly speaking, you have two different releases that are trying to reach a similar audience, but in different ways. Neverness to Everness provides a free entry point with an emphasis on exploring and city life. Crimelight leans into structured runs and darker storytelling with a fixed price. Both are built around systems that keep you coming back.

Neverness to Everness is already available, giving you the chance to try it without any cost. Crimelight is still a few months away, but it is shaping up as a more contained experience. Together, they reflect how the anime-style RPG space continues to expand. You are seeing more variety, even within familiar formats.