NTE is a free-to-play supernatural urban open-world RPG developed by Hotta Studio and published by Perfect World Games. The game released internationally on 24 April, 2026 for PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, Mac, Android & iOS with complete cross-platform support.

The game is taking place in Hethereau, a contemporary city based around modern-day Tokyo where supernatural occurrences referred to as "Anomalies" have become commonplace. You play as a Rogue "Appraiser" who will go after these supernatural threats. It's a mixture of mystery and urban fantasy with emotional story beats, humor, and interactions you have throughout your journey with companions.

NTE has real-time action combat and players control a party of four as they go about their adventures. All the characters attack naturally, with normal attacks and have a skill including an ultimate to annihilate enemies. It implements a novel "Esper Cycle" system that enables players active powerful synergy reactions with their abilities, in the same vein as elemental combo systems from other action RPGs. Players can mix and match characters in battle to create combo chains, as well as filling an enemy's stagger bar through hits or dodges—when full, enemies enter a weakened state that takes more damage. Parry system and dodge-counter mechanics focused on specific characters have been included in recent updates, based on beta tester feedback.

The urban environment of Hethereau offers seamless exploration without loading screens. Players can walk, sprint, jump, climb, wall-run, and glide through the city, with some movement options enabled by character-specific Esper abilities like anti-gravity. The game includes a robust vehicle system featuring both third-person and first-person driving modes, customizable parts that affect handling, color options, and decals, plus realistic damage systems requiring repairs. Weather conditions and traffic AI impact driving dynamics. For those preferring public transit, Hethereau features an extensive train network, including a distinctive Ghost Train for fast travel. The exploration has drawn comparisons to the Grand Theft Auto series for its urban freedom.

Beyond combat, NTE emphasizes urban life simulation. Players can purchase and decorate homes, shop in stores, take on part-time jobs, and participate in street races. The game includes a wanted system where players can even end up in jail. Social features allow players to meet characters from different groups and add them as "Bagel friends," unlocking side stories and interactions.

As a gacha game, NTE uses a character collection system where players spend "Annulith" to pull for new characters. Notably, the game eliminates the traditional 50/50 pity system found in many gacha titles, and features a unique duplicate system where players can toggle duplicates on or off and select them in any order. Weapons are primarily obtained through in-game currency and world exploration rather than the gacha system.

To sum it up, with over 35 million pre-registrations before launch and more than 5 million downloads, NTE represents Hotta Studio's ambitious follow-up to Tower of Fantasy, aiming to carve out a distinct identity in the competitive gacha market through its supernatural urban setting and player freedom.

By Jerry | Copyright © Game-Nook - All Rights Reserved