Uh oh, it’s magic.
We began the month with a Discord preview of Ys X: Nordics from NIS America, so why not close it out with another? This time, the game is Reynatis, an action RPG from FURYU Corp. that’s due for the Switch on September 27th.
Reynatis is set in and around modern day Shibuya, but this isn’t the Tokyo we know. This world contains magic users. Not everyone has this power, however, so magic users are regulated by those who fear their power. Still, other seeks their liberation.
Players will take on two roles in the game. Marin Kirizumi is a 19-year-old wizard who seeks to become “the strongest wizard that no one can defeat.” Sari Nishijima is a 24-year-old member of the M.E.A., a government organization that regulates wizards. Conflict!
So, what did I learn from my NIS America’s guided demo and Q&A session? It all follows below.
- The combat hook is the selling point. When playing as Marin and his companions, you will be in either Suppression or Liberation mode. Suppression mode is used to build up your magic gauge. Here, you cannot be detected as magic user, but you also cannot attack; only dodge. Well-timed dodges are key to building up the magic gauge quickly.
- When you flip to Liberation mode with a full magic gauge, time will slow down, allowing you to be fully effective in combat. Bystanders will recognize you as magic user during Liberation mode’s combat, however, and will alert the authorities. So, you can’t stay that way for long. Fights either need to be quick or in hidden places.
- Whether you’re playing as Marin or Sari, you can swap between a few different characters at will, each with his/her own playing styles. There is a cool-down when switching characters during battle, and they stick around briefly after switching extra attack power. Switching between modes and characters gives the combat snappy pacing that looks to consistently keep the player engaged.
- There are no adjustable difficulty settings, but I was told that combat is pretty accessible once you get used to the dodging mechanic.
- Characters learn new skills and get boosts by discovering wizart (graffiti, more or less) scattered about the city. In other words, you’re rewarded for exploring even the darkest of Shibuya’s alleyways.
- Certain elements in the game will increase your stress levels. If this stress gets too high, you won’t be able to maintain Suppression mode. Thankfully, there are snacks to eat and cats to pet to calm your anxiety. On the flipside is malice, which can be reduced by taking on sidequests.
- Game length is pretty short compared to other JRPGs, clocking in at around 30 hours depending upon how many side quests you pick up and how efficient you are.
- During that time, however, the player will work through a variety of settings despite the game’s focus on Shibuya. We were told of levels set in a forest, a factory, Shibuya from 100 years ago, a “spooky art gallery,” etc.
- Players can also look forward to nine planned, free content updates, including a collaboration with NEO: The World Ends with You. This collaboration is “…substantial, story-based and sure to please fans of the popular series.”
- The media demo was not run on the Switch, so I can’t comment on performance. We were told that Switch performance was always considered throughout development, but that we can expect the typical downgrades from the PS4, PS5 and Switch versions.
- A Switch demo will be released soon, but our hosts couldn’t offer details on whether progress will carry over to full game, or where the demo will start.
I left my session with NIS America quite excited about Reynatis. It looks like it’ll be fun to explore the game’s wonderfully detailed setting, and the fast-paced combat appears to be a blast. Of course, it’s also always great to see a new IP on the Switch, especially when it comes with unique gameplay elements. That, and I don’t think I’ve visited Shibuya since Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore, so it’ll be nice to go back.
Reynatis releases for Nintendo Switch on September 27th. Preorders aren’t yet open in the eShop, but more information—including details on a robust, limited edition physical release—can be found at nisamerica.com.
