FuRyu's Reynatis: An Action RPG Interview with TAKUMI, Kazushige Nojima, and Yoko Shimomura
NIS America is set to release FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, on September 27th for Switch, Steam, PS5, and PS4. Ahead of the launch, TouchArcade spoke with Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura. The interview, conducted partly via video call and email, covered the game's development, inspirations, collaborations, and much more.
Reynatis' Development and Inspiration
TAKUMI, the game's director and producer, shared his role in bringing Reynatis to life, from conceiving the initial idea to overseeing its development. He noted the overwhelmingly positive international response to the game, exceeding expectations compared to previous FuRyu titles. While the Japanese reception was also positive, TAKUMI observed that fans of Tetsuya Nomura's work (Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy) particularly resonated with Reynatis. He confirmed that Final Fantasy Versus XIII's initial trailer served as inspiration, but emphasized that Reynatis is a wholly original creation, reflecting his personal creative vision.
TAKUMI acknowledged areas for improvement, mentioning planned updates addressing gameplay balance and quality-of-life features. He assured Western players that the localized version will incorporate these refinements. The discussion touched upon the unconventional approach to collaborating with Nojima and Shimomura, involving direct communication via social media and messaging apps. TAKUMI's personal admiration for their work in Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy series heavily influenced his decision to reach out.
The interview also explored the game's development timeline (approximately three years), navigating challenges during the pandemic, and the decision to release on multiple platforms, balancing production considerations with creative vision. The collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover was detailed, highlighting the unconventional, direct approach taken by TAKUMI.
The Music and Story Behind Reynatis
Yoko Shimomura, renowned for her work on numerous acclaimed titles, described her involvement as a "sudden attack" from TAKUMI. She shared her creative process, emphasizing the intuitive nature of her compositions. Her favorite aspect of working on Reynatis was the creative surge she experienced before recording, leading to a flurry of compositions. She denied being directly inspired by other games for the soundtrack.
Kazushige Nojima, known for his storytelling in various Final Fantasy games, described his approach to modern game narratives, focusing on creating believable, fully realized characters. He confirmed his involvement through Shimomura, and while acknowledging the possibility of subconscious influence from Versus XIII, he didn't actively consider it during the writing process. He highlighted Marin's character development as a favorite aspect of the game's narrative.
Future Plans and Closing Thoughts
The interview concluded with a discussion about future plans, including the possibility of art books and soundtracks, and TAKUMI's personal gaming preferences. The topic of future Xbox releases was addressed, with TAKUMI acknowledging a lack of consumer demand in Japan as a significant hurdle. He also clarified FuRyu's current focus on console development, with smartphone ports considered on a case-by-case basis.
TAKUMI expressed his excitement for Western players to experience Reynatis, emphasizing the ongoing DLC releases that will deliver new story content and avoid spoilers. He concluded by encouraging those feeling stifled or pressured by societal expectations to play Reynatis, highlighting the game's strong thematic resonance. The interview ended with a fun segment on coffee preferences from the participants.
