Never 7 – The End of Infinity Review

When I first heard that Never 7 – The End of Infinity was getting a remaster, I knew I had to check it out. As a huge fan of Kotaro Uchikoshi’s later works—Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (999) and AI: The Somnium Files—I’ve always been intrigued by his earlier gaming contributions with the Infinity series. I had never played these games before, but with both Never 7 and Ever 17 receiving new remasters, it felt like the perfect time to dive in. I actually played Ever 17 first, but despite being part of the same series, I had no trouble playing them out of order. They’re thematically linked rather than direct sequels, so it didn’t hinder my experience at all.

Originally developed by KID, Never 7 is the first entry in the Infinity series, a collection of visual novels known for their mind-bending narratives, philosophical themes, and time-loop mechanics. Originally released in 2000 for the PlayStation, it laid the groundwork for what would later become some of the most beloved sci-fi visual novels of all time. While it leans more heavily into romance compared to its successors, it still weaves in elements of mystery and science fiction, making it a fascinating experience for fans of Uchikoshi’s later works.

The premise of Never 7 is deceptively straightforward. You play as Makoto Ishihara, a college student forced to attend a spring seminar on a remote island as part of his curriculum. What starts as a typical slice-of-life setup soon takes a darker turn when Makoto begins to experience strange premonitions and déjà vu. Before long, he realizes he’s trapped in a time loop, reliving the same week over and over. His only hope of escaping this cycle is to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events occurring on the island—before it’s too late.

The plot is structured around multiple character routes, each focusing on one of the five main heroines: Haruka, Yuka, Kurumi, Saki, and Izumi. Each route reveals different pieces of the overall puzzle, and while some are stronger than others, they all contribute to the greater narrative in meaningful ways. Compared to Ever 17, which leans more into sci-fi and suspense, Never 7 puts a stronger emphasis on romance, making character relationships feel more central to the story.

One of Never 7’s biggest strengths is its character interactions. The writing does a fantastic job of making each heroine feel distinct, and their personalities play off each other in ways that make even casual conversations enjoyable. There’s a warmth to these characters that makes spending time with them feel natural, which is essential in a story that revolves so much around relationships.

Each heroine has her own route, and the way the romance unfolds varies depending on the choices you make. Some of the routes are genuinely engaging, with touching moments that feel well-earned, while others feel a bit weaker in comparison. Haruka’s, Yuka’s and Izumi’s routes, for example, stood out to me as the most compelling, both emotionally and narratively. Others, while still enjoyable, didn’t resonate as strongly. This inconsistency is one of the game’s few drawbacks—when a route clicks, it’s fantastic, but when it doesn’t, the pacing can feel sluggish.

Despite these minor issues, I appreciated how the romance was handled. Unlike many visual novels where romance can feel forced or overly idealized, Never 7 does a good job of making relationships feel organic. That said, if you’re coming into this expecting something more akin to the high-stakes drama of Ever 17 or 999, the focus on romance may not be what you’re looking for.

What really sets Never 7 apart from a standard romance visual novel is its use of time-loop mechanics. The game gradually introduces elements of science fiction, blending them seamlessly into what initially appears to be a grounded, everyday setting. The mystery unfolds at a slow but satisfying pace, and as you progress through different routes, you start to see how the time loop affects each character in different ways.

I’ve always loved stories that play with time and causality, so Never 7’s implementation of these themes was a highlight for me. The way the protagonist retains knowledge from previous loops adds layers to the decision-making process, making choices feel more meaningful. While the execution isn’t as intricate as in later games, it’s still an impressive early attempt at the kind of storytelling Uchikoshi would later perfect.

The biggest issue, however, is pacing. Some routes drag on longer than they need to, especially when revisiting similar events multiple times. It never reached the point where I wanted to stop reading, but there were definitely moments where I felt the experience would have been stronger if the narrative was a bit tighter.

I played Never 7 on the Nintendo Switch, and it felt like a perfect match for the system. The game runs smoothly, and the ability to play in handheld mode made it easy to get through longer reading sessions without feeling tied to a screen. Given that Never 7 is a relatively slow-paced visual novel, being able to pick it up and put it down at any time was a definite plus.

The updated visuals look clean, and while it doesn’t have the same level of polish as modern visual novels, the art still holds up well for a game originally released over two decades ago. The soundtrack, composed by Takeshi Abo, is another highlight, setting the mood perfectly with a mix of relaxing and suspenseful tracks that enhance the experience.

Final Thoughts

Going into Never 7, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I knew it had a reputation as the weakest entry in the Infinity series, but I was still eager to experience it for myself. After playing through all the routes, I can see why some fans feel that way—certain aspects, particularly the pacing and some weaker romance routes, hold it back from reaching the heights of its successors.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with the game. The character writing, time-loop mechanics, and gradual unraveling of the mystery kept me engaged from start to finish. While it may not be as refined as Ever 17, it’s still a fascinating and worthwhile experience, especially for fans of Uchikoshi’s later works.

If you’re interested in the origins of the Infinity series or just enjoy visual novels with a blend of romance and science fiction, Never 7 is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a slower-paced journey—and maybe a few uneven routes along the way.

A Nintendo Switch review code was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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