Reynatis Interview: Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura discuss the game, coffee, and more

This extensive interview delves into the creation of FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, slated for a Western release on September 27th. We hear from Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura. The discussion covers the game's development, inspirations (including the impact of Final Fantasy Versus XIII), collaborations, and future plans.

TAKUMI, in a video call interview, discusses his role in bringing Reynatis to life, emphasizing his involvement from concept to completion. He expresses delight at the game's positive reception, particularly in the West, noting a stronger international buzz than within Japan. He also shares insights into the Japanese player response, highlighting the appreciation from fans of Tetsuya Nomura's works, like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy.

The interview directly addresses the comparisons to Final Fantasy Versus XIII, with TAKUMI acknowledging the inspiration drawn from the original trailer while stressing Reynatis' unique identity and creative vision. He confirms communication with Nomura, emphasizing the game's intent to fulfill the hopes of fans of those titles.

The conversation then shifts to the game's development process, including challenges faced during the pandemic and planned updates to address player feedback and technical refinements. TAKUMI assures Western players that they will receive a polished and improved version.

TAKUMI details his unconventional approach to collaborating with Shimomura and Nojima, relying on direct communication via social media and messaging apps rather than formal channels. He shares his personal admiration for their past works and explains how their distinct styles influenced Reynatis.

The interview explores the game's development timeline (approximately three years), the challenges of balancing multiple platforms (Switch, Steam, PS5, PS4), and FuRyu's internal considerations regarding PC development in Japan. TAKUMI also discusses the collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover, highlighting the rarity of such cross-company collaborations in the console gaming space.

The discussion touches upon the inspiration drawn from various action games, the decision to release on multiple platforms, and FuRyu's future plans for smartphone ports of premium titles. TAKUMI explains the company's primary focus remains on console games, with smartphone releases considered on a case-by-case basis.

The question of an Xbox release is addressed, with TAKUMI expressing personal interest but acknowledging the lack of consumer demand in Japan as a significant hurdle. He highlights the challenges of expanding development to a new platform, including scheduling and team expertise.

The interview concludes with TAKUMI's excitement for the Western release, emphasizing the planned DLC releases and the desire for players to enjoy the game's long-term content and story. The discussion also covers potential future releases of an art book and soundtrack.

The email portion of the interview with Yoko Shimomura and Kazushige Nojima provides further insight into their involvement, creative processes, and inspirations. Shimomura discusses her composition style and the creative process behind the Reynatis soundtrack. Nojima reflects on his approach to storytelling and shares his thoughts on the game's narrative. The interview concludes with a lighthearted section on coffee preferences.

The interview offers a comprehensive look at the development and vision behind Reynatis, highlighting its unique blend of action RPG gameplay, compelling narrative, and memorable soundtrack. It also provides valuable insights into the Japanese game development landscape and the challenges of bringing unique titles to the global market.