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 Western release on September 27th. We hear from Creative Producer TAKUMI, Scenario Writer Kazushige Nojima, and Composer Yoko Shimomura.

TAKUMI discusses his role at FuRyu, revealing his involvement from conception to completion of Reynatis. He expresses delight at the game's overwhelmingly positive reception, particularly in the West, noting a stronger international buzz than in Japan. He credits the game's appeal to fans of Tetsuya Nomura's works, such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, acknowledging the game's inspiration from Final Fantasy Versus XIII while emphasizing Reynatis' unique identity.

TAKUMI addresses the game's development during the pandemic, highlighting the successful remote collaboration with the development team. He confirms planned updates focusing on balancing, quality-of-life improvements, and bug fixes, assuring Western players will receive a refined version. The interview details his informal approach to collaborating with Shimomura and Nojima, primarily through direct contact via social media and messaging apps.

The discussion touches upon the inspiration behind Reynatis, including TAKUMI's love for action games and his conscious decision to create a complete gaming experience rather than solely focusing on action mechanics. He clarifies the game's development timeline (approximately three years) and the challenges of balancing multi-platform releases, particularly the demanding nature of the Switch version. The interview also explores FuRyu's internal approach to PC development and the reasons behind the limited Xbox presence of their titles.

The collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover is explained, showcasing TAKUMI's proactive and direct approach. He shares his personal experiences with the The World Ends With You series and his rationale for choosing Shimomura and Nojima for their contributions to Reynatis.

The interview then shifts to email correspondence with Shimomura and Nojima. Shimomura discusses her creative process, highlighting the spontaneous flow of compositions during the Reynatis soundtrack's creation. She reflects on the evolution of her distinct musical style across different technological eras. Nojima shares his approach to storytelling, contrasting modern expectations with the simpler narrative styles of the past. He also reveals his involvement in the project, his thoughts on Reynatis' connection to Versus XIII, and his personal gaming preferences.

The interview concludes with personal preferences for coffee from TAKUMI, Alan Costa (NIS America translator), Shimomura, and Nojima, followed by TAKUMI's closing remarks on Reynatis' core message and his hopes for players' long-term engagement with the game.

The interview provides a comprehensive look at the development process, creative influences, and the collaborative spirit behind Reynatis, offering valuable insight for both fans and newcomers alike.