This extensive interview delves into the creation of FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, slated for Western release on September 27th by NIS America. We hear from Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura.
TAKUMI discusses his role at FuRyu, emphasizing his involvement in Reynatis from conception to completion. He expresses delight at the overwhelmingly positive international response, noting that the buzz surrounding Reynatis surpasses that of previous FuRyu titles. He also shares the enthusiastic reception in Japan, particularly among fans of Tetsuya Nomura's works, citing their insightful engagement with the game's narrative and unique gameplay elements.
The influence of Final Fantasy Versus XIII's trailer is addressed. TAKUMI acknowledges the inspiration it provided, emphasizing that Reynatis remains a wholly original creation, born from his personal vision and passion as a fan.
TAKUMI candidly discusses the game's development, acknowledging areas for improvement and outlining planned updates to address balance, quality-of-life features, and bug fixes. He assures Western players that they'll receive a refined version.
The interview details the informal, direct approach TAKUMI took in collaborating with Nojima and Shimomura, utilizing platforms like Twitter and LINE. He reveals his personal admiration for their past works, specifically citing Kingdom Hearts and various Final Fantasy titles as key influences on his decision to seek their involvement.
TAKUMI discusses his action game influences and the development challenges of balancing ambition with budget constraints. He explains the decision to release Reynatis across multiple platforms, highlighting the goal of creating a complete and enjoyable gaming experience.
The interview covers the three-year development process, navigating the pandemic's challenges, and the successful collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover. TAKUMI explains his direct approach to securing the collaboration, emphasizing his persistence and passion.
TAKUMI addresses the platform choices, acknowledging the Switch's limitations while highlighting the game's visual appeal. He discusses FuRyu's internal exploration of PC development and the differing market perceptions of consoles and PCs in Japan.
The conversation touches upon FuRyu's smartphone game strategy, emphasizing their focus on console development and the selective approach to porting titles.
TAKUMI expresses his desire to release on Xbox but cites low consumer demand in Japan and development challenges as obstacles. He expresses excitement for the Western release and the planned DLC, emphasizing the goal of a long-lasting and spoiler-free experience.
The interview concludes with TAKUMI's thoughts on future art books and soundtracks, his personal gaming preferences, his favorite projects, and a message to potential players, highlighting Reynatis's powerful themes of self-expression and overcoming societal pressures.
The email exchange with Nojima and Shimomura offers further insights. Shimomura discusses her creative process and influences, while Nojima reflects on his approach to storytelling across different eras of game development. Both share their coffee preferences, concluding the interview.
