Interview: 'TRIANGLE STRATEGY' Team Discusses Creation

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 in the game's conception, production, and direction, highlighting the unexpectedly strong international response compared to Japan. He credits the game's appeal to fans of Tetsuya Nomura's works, acknowledging the Final Fantasy Versus XIII comparisons but emphasizing Reynatis' unique identity and his personal creative vision. TAKUMI also addresses planned updates to refine gameplay and address technical aspects, assuring Western players will receive a polished version.

The interview explores TAKUMI's direct communication with Nojima and Shimomura, revealing an informal approach via social media and messaging. He details his inspiration, citing his childhood love for Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy VII/X, and his desire to create a game that captures the spirit of those titles while forging its own path. He also discusses the development process during the pandemic, emphasizing the team's ability to maintain effective communication despite restrictions.

The collaboration with Square Enix for NEO: The World Ends With You elements is explained, revealing a direct approach to secure the official licensing. TAKUMI discusses platform choices, acknowledging the Switch's limitations while justifying the multi-platform release strategy. He touches upon FuRyu's internal PC development capabilities and the differing market dynamics between Japan and the West regarding PC gaming. The discussion extends to smartphone ports, with TAKUMI indicating a focus on console development unless a title is inherently suitable for mobile.

The interview addresses the absence of Xbox releases, citing low consumer demand and development team expertise as key factors. TAKUMI expresses his excitement for the Western release, highlighting the planned DLC releases to enhance player engagement and prevent spoilers. He also discusses potential future plans for an art book and soundtrack release. The interview concludes with personal insights into TAKUMI’s gaming habits, favorite projects, and a message to potential players, emphasizing Reynatis' core theme of overcoming societal pressures.

The email exchange with Nojima and Shimomura provides further context. Shimomura shares her creative process and highlights the enjoyable intensity of the composition phase. Nojima discusses his approach to storytelling, comparing modern expectations with his past work, and reflects on his involvement with Reynatis, subtly acknowledging the Versus XIII influence. The interview concludes with a lighthearted segment on coffee preferences.

This provides a comprehensive overview of the interview, maintaining the original image placements and formats.