Free NTE: Date Your Favorite Character & Spot the Off‑Grid Gap!

On April 29, Perfect World Games launched NTE: Neverness to Everness (NTE), a free‑to‑play supernatural city open‑world RPG now available on PC, PS5, iOS, and Android.

Players assume the role of an “Anomaly Hunter” working for the antiquities shop Ebon, roaming the sprawling metropolis of Heterocity to contain and resolve lurking anomalies.

Our publication had the privilege of previewing the PC version of NTE, and this series will dissect ten key aspects of Heterocity over ten installments. This is the sixth entry; the previous one covered the city’s layout and lore.

In this segment, we explore the game’s character affinity system. NTE allows players to control and bond with a roster of characters, engaging them in combat, exploration, and even social activities such as gifting, holding hands, and visiting date spots.

What’s more, the gifting mechanics are delightfully quirky: presenting a strawberry‑flavored cotton candy to a cool bodyguard elicits genuine delight, sharing a drink with a lively colleague from the Anomaly Management Bureau after work, or receiving a serious nod of appreciation from a mysterious friend on a Ferris wheel for reconnaissance tips. These moments reveal each character’s “off‑screen” personality, making the interactions feel surprisingly authentic.

In NTE, characters don’t simply become avatars you control; they stand beside you as close friends. You walk across a crosswalk hand‑in‑hand, pause in front of a shop, and share casual conversation. That single touch turns each character from a mere object of interaction into a companion who shares the same streets.

The game introduces a “Bond Level” system that mirrors the familiar concept of affection. By gifting a character their favorite item, you can quickly raise their bond, unlocking rewards such as coins, training materials, stickers, interior décor, and outfits that scale with the level. The mechanic is intentionally straightforward: select an item from the menu and hand it over.

When you actually try it out, the act of choosing a gift carries its own flavor. Take Daphodil, the stoic bodyguard from the antique shop Aibon. Though she’s known for her silence and stoicism, her preferences range from supplements and paintings to unexpected treats like strawberry‑flavored cotton candy and the trendy “Nyanyan Fish Tea Matcha” favored by young players.

Daphodil is a dark‑attribute swordswoman, and some have joked that you might as well be dead the moment you lock eyes with her. Yet behind that fierce exterior, she’s secretly enamored with sweets—a classic yet unmistakable contrast that adds depth to her character.

Among the game’s most cherished details, the character Daffodil—my personal favorite—stands out. Even the smallest tidbits about a beloved character, such as their preferred beverage, favorite food, or spontaneous reactions, enrich the narrative. These seemingly trivial pieces of information accumulate, gradually sharpening the character’s portrait. In “NTE,” moments that introduce players to their favorite characters are woven throughout, from side quests to date events, offering countless opportunities to deepen that connection.

Many of the gifts players can acquire are available for purchase in the city’s bustling shops. In the sprawling metropolis of Heterocity, the task of hunting down a specific item is surprisingly manageable. Players stroll through the streets, searching for the perfect present for their beloved companion. While the core mechanic is simply handing over an item, the added effort of locating it imbues the gesture with genuine sentiment.

Rewards for increasing bond levels are plentiful and varied. Players can collect character icons, profile themes, and large-scale portraits that showcase their favorites. Practical rewards such as cultivation materials and polished stones are also offered, but the real allure lies in the collectible merchandise that lets fans flaunt their devotion. When a player finds a character they truly admire, the game provides an environment ripe for full-fledged fandom.

Among the features unlocked by raising bond levels, the “accompany” function is particularly striking. Characters like Mint, Faldiya, Su, Nanari, Kureha, and Chii-chan can be invited into the player’s home or summoned to the streets. Once summoned, players can walk hand‑in‑hand with the character, take selfies, share hugs, or even play rock‑paper‑scissors together. This interactive element deepens the emotional bond and offers a fresh way to experience the game’s world.

When you invite a character to your home, the interactions feel almost identical to those you’d have in a real setting—hand‑in‑hand walks, playful throw‑kiss moments, or even the quirky habit of sitting back‑to‑back. Doing these in the middle of a bustling street can feel oddly surreal, yet that very surrealism underscores the deep camaraderie that spills over from private to public spaces.

What truly captures the essence of a date is the simple act of strolling side‑by‑side through the city. On the surface, it might seem like a modest feature—just a way to move the character alongside you. However, when you actually wander a sprawling metropolis like Heterocity with your companion, the experience transforms entirely.

While walking, the character often reacts to their surroundings, offering spontaneous invitations or comments. Passing an izakaya, for instance, might prompt a suggestion to join a drinking session, all without any input from you. Even routes you’d normally skip become tempting detours, as the city itself feels alive and responsive.

There are still minor hitches—hand‑off points can be awkward on uneven terrain, and the attire you can summon during a call remains limited to the same indoor clothes you’d wear at home. Despite these growing pains, holding hands with your favorite character remains an undeniably delightful experience. It’s not just a tactical ally in battle; it’s a friend you walk beside on your off‑days, deepening the bond in everyday moments.