Full review: https://www.kirikiribasara.com/2025/02/25/never7-review-the-cycle-of-disappointment/

• Experience Kotaro Uchikoshi and Takumi Nakazawa's first sci-fi visual novel—a classic that inspired Ever17 and MAGES.' Science Adventure series (Chaos;Head, Steins;Gate, etc.)
  
• A story that balances slow but methodical character focus with an intriguing, sometimes subversive sci-fi plot
  
• Masterful, emotional soundtrack

• Rough, awkward translation across the game—frequently wavers between mediocre and below average
  
• Poorly remastered graphics; blurriness and other flaws are easily visible on today's displays

Never7 has finally reached Western shores with its first official English localization since the original Japanese release in 2000. MAGES. has opted to remaster this game and its successor, Ever17, for modern audiences—but unfortunately, what's being offered is underbaked representation of the original game that fails to impress on multiple fronts.

We wish we could unequivocally recommend this release—Never7 offers great insight into the history of the sci-fi VN niche, being Kotaro Uchikoshi (AI: The Somnium Files, Zero Escape) and Takumi Nakazawa (I/O, Root Double)'s first showing in the genre. Its story, though not perfect, has immaculate vibes and a great approach to character development and sci-fi twists. But unfortunately, the English translation is littered with problems—nonsensical typos, awkwardly worded sentences, stiff and dry narration, and so on—meaning English readers are getting a flawed interpretation of the original game's strengths.

Meanwhile, Never7 is quite obviously falling apart at the seams when it comes to presentation. Despite a handful of high-quality menus created specifically for this remaster, the in-game graphics themselves are often blurry and pixelated—it's evident none of these ancient visual assets were ever meant to blown up to 1080p. Low-quality character voice recordings also persist throughout the game, while the occasional higher-quality recordings are appreciated but jarring in contrast. All in all, we struggle to recommend this release.

Despite its few strengths, Never7 (2025) is ultimately a low-effort, low-quality representation of a 2000 classic that deserved far more love and care.

I'm sorry but I just can't.

I do not recommend the game at the current price they are charging. I'm just a few minutes in and from what I'm reading the translation is already mediocre. I also expected the voice to be improved for a remaster they've announced a year ago.

Sorry but I was expecting more for the price. Unless a patch is made to address these issues. I don't think it's going to be enjoyable. Best we can hope is someone made a "CoZ" patch again to save the little amount of effort Mages. put into their ports.

Can't say I didn't expect it though, Mages still butchering their ports in 2025.

a lazy, overpriced rerelease.

the assets are poorly upscaled and DO NOT hold up to modern standards at all, upscaling artifacts are very visible.
The voicelines are poor quality, they sound very compressed.
The localization itself isn't anything special either, with typos and odd wording.

oh and they did not bring over the tips menu from the PSP release.

QoL wise, the fan-made version of the original is definitely better than this.