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

FuRyu's Reynatis: A Deep Dive Interview with the Creators

NIS America's upcoming release of FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, for Switch, Steam, PS5, and PS4 prompted an exclusive interview with Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura. The conversation covered the game's development, inspirations, collaborations, and much more.

Reynatis's Development and Inspiration

TAKUMI, the game's director and producer, shared his vision for Reynatis, revealing its genesis and the positive reception it's received, particularly from Western audiences. He discussed the Japanese player response, noting that fans of Tetsuya Nomura's work (Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts) particularly appreciated the game's design and narrative.

The influence of Final Fantasy Versus XIII's trailer was addressed, with TAKUMI stating it served as inspiration but that Reynatis is a wholly original creation. He confirmed communication with Nomura himself, highlighting the project's aim to fulfill the expectations of fans who loved those previous titles.

TAKUMI also acknowledged areas for improvement, mentioning planned updates addressing balance and quality-of-life features. He assured Western players that the localized version would be a refined iteration of the Japanese release.

The collaborative process with Yoko Shimomura and Kazushige Nojima was highlighted, with TAKUMI revealing the informal nature of his communication with these industry legends – direct messages and casual conversations rather than formal business correspondence.

The Creative Vision

TAKUMI discussed his influences, citing a lifelong love of action games and a conscious decision to create a complete gaming experience rather than focusing solely on action elements. He explained the three-year development process, navigating the challenges of the pandemic and maintaining effective communication with the development team.

The collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover was detailed, revealing a direct approach to secure the official licensing. TAKUMI shared his personal appreciation for the series, emphasizing the shared Shibuya setting as a key factor in the collaboration.

Platform choices were discussed, with TAKUMI explaining the Switch as the lead platform, while acknowledging the limitations of the hardware. He also addressed FuRyu's increasing focus on PC development, noting that internal PC development is becoming more common for the company. The lack of significant Xbox demand in Japan was cited as the reason for the absence of Xbox releases.

The Music and Story

Yoko Shimomura, the game's composer, shared her creative process and her inspiration for the Reynatis soundtrack, highlighting the late-night creative flow before recording. She reflected on the evolution of her distinct musical style over the years.

Kazushige Nojima, the scenario writer, discussed his approach to storytelling, noting the shift towards creating more fully realized characters for modern audiences. He shared his involvement in the project, his perspective on the game's narrative, and his personal gaming preferences.

Both Shimomura and Nojima's responses regarding the influence of Versus XIII were intriguing and suggestive, without explicitly confirming any direct connections.

The Future of FuRyu

TAKUMI concluded the interview by expressing his excitement for the Western release and highlighting the planned DLC releases. He also addressed the possibility of future art books and soundtracks, while revealing his personal gaming preferences and favorite projects. He ended with a powerful message about the game's core theme, encouraging players who feel marginalized by society to experience Reynatis.

The interview concluded with a fun question about coffee preferences from all participants.

The interview provides a fascinating insight into the creation of Reynatis, highlighting the passion and dedication of its creators. The game's unique blend of action RPG gameplay, compelling narrative, and memorable soundtrack promises a captivating experience for players.