Never’s End, the tactical RPG with systems-driven combat and element-manipulating magic from developer Hypersect, recently impressed IGN with a preview of its combat mechanics and charming art style.
The combat in Never’s End is certainly reminiscent of more traditional tactics games, but the action economy offers greater flexibility, while elemental effects can have a profound effect on enemies and the environment. While the grid-based combat of Never’s End draws inspiration from other tactics RPGs, the game uses an open-world design instead of constantly shifting you between an overworld view and a zoomed-in map whenever combat kicks off. Also, if the 2D on 3D art style looks familiar, that’s because it was developed in part by Masayoshi Nishimura, the character artist responsible for the designs found in renowned titles like Octopath Traveler, and Triangle Strategy.
If it can hold up against the staggering, expansive weight of its complex systems, Never’s End might be an all-timer. Big words, I know, but playing even just half an hour of this Final Fantasy Tactics-style tactical RPG with its director left me buzzing. It’s painted in a charming, 2D-meets-3D art style and set in an expansive world, and even my demo held hours of content to explore that I only scratched the surface of.
Read IGN’s full preview here. Never’s End is slated for a launch later in 2026, but you can play the demo on PC via Steam right now. For more updates, make sure to follow Hypersect and IGN on X.
