This extensive interview delves into the creation of FuRyu's action RPG, Reynatis, slated for Western release on September 27th via NIS America. The discussion features TAKUMI (Director and Producer), Kazushige Nojima (Scenario Writer), and Yoko Shimomura (Composer).
TAKUMI details his role in conceptualizing and overseeing Reynatis, expressing his delight at the game's strong international reception, exceeding expectations compared to previous FuRyu titles. He acknowledges the game's connection to the Final Fantasy Versus XIII aesthetic, clarifying it as inspiration rather than direct replication, and emphasizing his desire to fulfill the expectations of fans of Tetsuya Nomura's work. He discusses the positive Japanese reception, noting that fans of Nomura's style particularly appreciate the game's design and narrative progression.
TAKUMI addresses the game's development challenges, acknowledging minor shortcomings and planned updates to address balancing and quality-of-life issues. He assures Western players that the release version will be refined based on Japanese player feedback. He candidly describes his informal communication with Shimomura and Nojima, utilizing direct messaging platforms rather than formal company channels. He reveals his personal inspiration from Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy series, citing these as key influences in his approach to the project.
The interview touches on the collaborative process, highlighting TAKUMI's direct approach to securing Shimomura and Nojima's involvement. He discusses his passion for action games as a source of inspiration but emphasizes Reynatis's focus on delivering a complete and enjoyable gaming experience, rather than solely competing in terms of graphical fidelity or scale with larger-budget titles.
The impact of the pandemic on development is addressed, with TAKUMI highlighting the successful utilization of remote communication and the subsequent return to in-person collaboration. The collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover is discussed, revealing a direct approach and the rarity of such high-profile collaborations in the console gaming space. TAKUMI explains the platform selection, with the Nintendo Switch as the lead platform, acknowledging the game's demanding technical requirements on the console.
The conversation extends to FuRyu's internal PC development capabilities and the growing demand for PC versions in Japan. TAKUMI shares his perspective on the distinct nature of the console and PC gaming markets in Japan. The possibility of future smartphone ports is addressed, indicating a case-by-case approach based on the suitability of the game's mechanics for mobile platforms.
The lack of Xbox releases is explained, citing limited consumer demand in Japan and the associated development challenges. TAKUMI expresses personal interest in expanding to the Xbox platform but acknowledges the current hurdles. He expresses his excitement for the Western release, highlighting the planned DLC releases and emphasizing the goal of providing a long-lasting and engaging experience for players.
The email exchange with Shimomura and Nojima provides further insight into their involvement and creative processes. Shimomura discusses her compositional approach and her favorite aspects of working on the Reynatis soundtrack. Nojima shares his perspective on narrative design across different game generations and his experience working on Reynatis. The interview concludes with a lighthearted segment on coffee preferences from all participants.
The interview concludes with TAKUMI's message to potential players unfamiliar with FuRyu's work, emphasizing the strong thematic elements found in their games and highlighting Reynatis's message of empowerment and self-acceptance. He encourages players who feel marginalized or stifled by societal pressures to experience the game.
The interview provides a comprehensive overview of the development, design, and themes behind Reynatis, offering valuable insights into the creative process and the collaborative efforts that brought this title to life.
