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Editor's Review
NTE, the free-to-play supernatural open-world RPG from Hotta Studio, which people will know from Tower of Fantasy and is launched in April 24, 2026 on PC, Mobile & PS5. NTE retains the Genshin Impact-esque gacha system and action combat familiar to players of that aforementioned mega-hit but promises instead a thickly urban, contemporary setting as opposed to rolling grassland.
Welcome to Hethereau, a sprawling metropolis where the mundane and the "Anomalous" coexist. For a thousand years, supernatural phenomena—ranging from harmless oddities to dangerous reality breaches—have existed in secret. After a massive disaster 40 years ago, these Anomalies were revealed to the public, and now society simply lives with them. You play as Esper Zero, an amnesiac "unlicensed" Anomaly Hunter. Operating out of a struggling antique shop called Eibon, you investigate supernatural incidents, take commissions, and unravel the city’s deeper mysteries alongside a cast of eccentric partners.
Combat is real-time and party-based, using a switch mechanic to allow four characters in the same battle to set off synergy reactions throughout a fight. A fancy system called the "Esper Cycle" rewards you for doing specific ability orders, process that you've got to learn in order to stagger bosses by dodging and parrying their attacks. On the other hand, it definitely veers into casual territory with its difficulty curve to allow newcomers of the genre easier access.
Unlike traditional RPGs where you live in the wilderness, NTE is a "life sim" first. The game integrates a massive "City Tycoon" progression system separate from combat. Players can purchase apartments and luxury mansions, customize vehicles with performance parts (including an interior view), and run businesses like a cafe. Instead of just fighting, you can manage inventory, set prices, and assign characters to shifts to generate passive income. This system feeds back into the game by unlocking a top-tier DPS character for free as you level up your "Tycoon" rank.
Hethereau is designed for vertical exploration. Using Esper powers, players can wall-run, scale skyscrapers, and glide seamlessly without loading screens. Driving is a key feature: you can steal cars, engage in street races, or follow traffic laws. If you cause too much chaos, a GTA-style wanted system triggers police pursuits, potentially landing you in a detention center where you must plan a breakout.
A major selling point of NTE is its consumer-friendly monetization. The game has officially confirmed no 50/50 system for limited S-rank characters. When you pull an S-rank on a limited banner, it is 100% guaranteed to be the featured character. Furthermore, the pulling mechanic involves rolling dice on a "Scarborough Fair" board rather than standard loot boxes, adding a layer of interactivity.
All in all, while critics note that the main story is currently short and the city feels small (able to be driven across in two minutes), the quality of life features, unique urban fantasy aesthetic, and generous gacha rates make NTE a standout title for players looking for a "second life" in a strange city.
By Jerry | Copyright © JoyGamerss - All Rights Reserved
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