Fans of Japanese action-RPGs, brace yourselves for some exciting news: Reynatis, the latest creation from a team of esteemed Final Fantasy veterans, made its debut during last week’s Nintendo Partner Direct. What’s more, contrary to initial assumptions, this captivating game isn’t confined to Japan or the Switch platform alone; it’s officially confirmed for a global release later this year.
For those who missed out on the Japanese iteration of the Nintendo Direct, catching sight of Reynatis might have slipped under the radar.
Even for those who did catch its stylish reveal trailer, the assumption of its exclusivity to Japan could have been a natural leap, especially given its unveiling during a Nintendo Direct presentation.
Fortunately, those assumptions are unfounded. Reynatis is set to launch worldwide in fall 2024, hitting not only the Switch but also the PS5, PS4, and PC platforms.
Beyond Reynatis’s visually striking rendition of contemporary Shibuya, what truly excites me is its development team. P
enned by the legendary Kazushige Nojima, renowned for his work on the original Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2, as well as the mainline Kingdom Hearts series and the upcoming Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the game promises a narrative depth that fans can anticipate.
Nojima is joined by Yoko Shimomura, a veteran composer celebrated for her iconic musical contributions to titles such as Street Fighter 2, Super Mario RPG, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy 15.
Granted, Reynatis appears somewhat unpolished in its current state, with noticeable low-polygon character models and apparent frame rate inconsistencies even in the PlayStation version of the trailer.
The storyline appears to meander, revolving around what seems to be a group of wizard cops tackling the city’s “rubrum” addiction issue, alongside a mysterious portal in Tokyo’s Shibuya district that leads to a fantastical realm—an element whose connection to the overarching narrative remains unclear.
While the trailer offers only fleeting glimpses of combat, it appears to adhere to the conventions of a typical JRPG-style action-RPG. Expect fast-paced swordplay reminiscent of Musou games, precision dodging mechanics, special abilities with area-of-effect damage, and even elements of gunplay. While these mechanics may not break new ground, there appears to be sufficient depth to warrant further exploration.
Personally, I find myself captivated by Reynatis’s setting—an affinity likely stemming from my penchant for games set in Japan, particularly those steeped in enigmatic phenomena, a trope often woven into their narratives.
In essence, Reynatis beckons for closer scrutiny, especially given its developer’s track record of delivering titles of varying quality in recent years. While the involvement of Nojima and Shimomura inspires confidence, they represent only a fraction of the larger creative ensemble. The true measure of Reynatis’s potential lies in how effectively these diverse elements coalesce upon its global release later this year.