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, director and producer at FuRyu, discusses the game's conception, its unexpectedly strong international buzz, and the positive reception in Japan, particularly among fans of Tetsuya Nomura's works. He acknowledges the Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer as a source of inspiration, emphasizing that Reynatis is a wholly original creation, born from a desire to explore the "what ifs" of that unreleased title.

TAKUMI addresses the game's development challenges, including balancing gameplay and addressing technical aspects through planned updates. He highlights the Western release as a refined version, benefiting from post-launch improvements. The interview explores the informal, direct communication methods used to collaborate with Nojima and Shimomura, emphasizing personal connections over formal corporate channels. TAKUMI reveals his personal inspirations, including the Kingdom Hearts series and Nojima's work on Final Fantasy VII and X.

The discussion covers the development timeline (approximately three years), navigating the pandemic's impact on collaboration, and the successful official collaboration with Square Enix for NEO: The World Ends with You elements, achieved through direct outreach. TAKUMI details platform choices, acknowledging the Switch as the lead platform while aiming for broad accessibility. He also discusses FuRyu's evolving approach to PC development and the limited demand for Xbox releases in Japan.

The interview shifts to Shimomura and Nojima, offering insights into their creative processes and contributions to Reynatis. Shimomura discusses her compositional approach, her favorite aspects of the Reynatis soundtrack, and the evolution of her recognizable style across different technological eras. Nojima reflects on his approach to storytelling across different game generations, highlighting the shift towards more realistic character portrayals. He also shares his personal gaming experiences, including Elden Ring and Dragon's Dogma 2.

The interview concludes with reflections on TAKUMI's favorite projects, his hopes for Reynatis' long-term player engagement, and a message to newcomers to FuRyu games, emphasizing the strong thematic resonance of their titles. The interview also includes a fun segment on coffee preferences from all participants.