'Kingdom Hearts' Team Interview: Takahashi, Nojima, Shimomura Talk Coffee, 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 in the game's conception, production, and direction, highlighting the unexpectedly strong international response. He notes the game's appeal to fans of Tetsuya Nomura's work, particularly Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, acknowledging the inspiration drawn from Final Fantasy Versus XIII's initial trailer while emphasizing Reynatis' unique identity.

The conversation touches on the Japanese reception, the development process during the pandemic, and planned updates to address player feedback. TAKUMI details his direct approach in collaborating with Nojima and Shimomura, emphasizing informal communication via social media and messaging apps.

He reveals his personal inspirations, including his lifelong love for Kingdom Hearts, and explains the design choices made to create a cohesive and enjoyable gaming experience, acknowledging the game's limitations compared to larger-budget titles.

The interview explores the collaboration with Square Enix for the NEO: The World Ends With You crossover, the platform selection process (with Switch as the lead platform), and FuRyu's evolving approach to PC development. TAKUMI shares his thoughts on the differences between console and PC gaming markets in Japan and the company's current focus on console development, while acknowledging potential future smartphone ports on a case-by-case basis.

The lack of Xbox releases is addressed, citing low consumer demand in Japan as a primary factor. TAKUMI expresses his excitement for the Western release, emphasizing the ongoing DLC releases and the aim to provide a long-lasting and spoiler-free experience.

The discussion then shifts to the art book and soundtrack, with TAKUMI expressing interest in future releases. He shares his personal gaming preferences, including Tears of the Kingdom, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Jedi Survivor. He reflects on his work on Trinity Trigger and Reynatis, expressing greater satisfaction with the latter due to his expanded role.

Finally, TAKUMI addresses potential new players, highlighting the strong themes of overcoming societal pressures and finding one's own path, a message he believes resonates powerfully, potentially even surpassing the impact of larger titles.

The email exchange with Nojima and Shimomura offers additional insights. Shimomura discusses her creative process and the joy of composing for Reynatis, while Nojima reflects on his approach to storytelling across different eras of game development. Both share their coffee preferences, concluding the interview.