Spike Chunsoft and MAGES have brought back two beloved visual novel classics from KID with their reimagined Ever 17/Never 7 Double Pack for the PlayStation 4. Dive into our review to discover what makes these remakes a must-try!
The Ever 17/Never 7 Double Pack delivers overhauled versions of two cherished titles: Never 7 – The End of Infinity and Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity. Originally, Never 7 graced the gaming world in 2000 on the Sony PlayStation, SEGA Dreamcast, and Neo Geo Pocket, but only for Japanese players. Now, this remake opens the doors for a broader audience. Ever 17 followed on the PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast, with both games penned by the talented Kotaro Uchikoshi. Fans of the Zero Escape series will quickly recognize Uchikoshi’s storytelling prowess in these entries of the Infinity series.
The visual novel genre primarily centers on its intricate narratives, tugging players through a whirlwind of plot twists and character developments. You’ll find these games offer beautifully crafted character interactions and settings, sometimes complemented by voice acting – particularly in Japanese for these games. As you journey through each story, the choices you make will influence the outcome, leading you to various possible endings, which only increases the replayability as you explore what might have been in different scenarios.
Let’s delve into the narratives: In Never 7 – The End of Infinity, you step into the shoes of Makoto Ishihara, a student thrown into an enigmatic situation. After experiencing a vision of a girl’s tragic fate on April 6, he awakens on April 1, burdened with the knowledge that he has a mere five days to change destiny’s course during what should have been a tranquil seminar retreat.
As your journey in Never 7 progresses, reaching April 6 results in a potential tragedy. However, time grants you a redo, as you’re transported back to April 1. Armed with foresight, your subsequent decisions are crucial in altering the doomed path, potentially leading to a variety of conclusions, some less favorable than others.
Switching gears to Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity, you embody Takeshi Kuranari, an ordinary college student visiting the underwater theme park LeMU. A catastrophic incident leaves him and six others trapped over 50 meters beneath the ocean’s surface. Facing imminent peril, you must collaborate with your fellow survivors, including the enigmatic Tsugumi and part-timer You, to find a way back to safety. With its riveting storyline and unexpected turns, this tale promises to keep players riveted.
And then there are the trophies. With two games packed in the release, trophy hunters have double the opportunity to expand their collection. Never 7 presents a set featuring 8 Bronze, 2 Silver, and 9 Gold trophies, while Ever 17 challenges players with 3 Bronze, 15 Silver, and 6 Gold trophies. Naturally, each game’s achievements revolve around navigating through both the uplifting and less favorable endings without divulging any spoilers.
As we wrap up, it’s clear that the Ever 17/Never 7 Double Pack introduces these classic visual novels to a new audience on PlayStation 4. With well-crafted remakes of Never 7 and Ever 17, fans of the genre and newcomers alike will find much to appreciate. The games debut on March 6, with the double pack priced at $44.99. You can also choose to purchase Never 7 – The End of Infinity for $19.99 and Ever 17 – The Out of Infinity for $29.99 individually.
This review of the Ever 17/Never 7 Double Pack is based on a PlayStation 4 copy provided by Spike Chunsoft.
