REYNATIS is an action RPG set in the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, where two individuals clash over their visions for the world and magic. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
REYNATIS Review Overview
What is REYNATIS?
Set in 2024 Shibuya, Tokyo, the Criminal Magic Response Act has enforced a curfew, prohibiting citizens from roaming the streets at night. Seeing the act of oppression, Marin Kirizumi, a wizard who grew up oppressed due to his magical prowess, arrives in Shibuya at night.
There, he meets Sari Nishijima, a fellow wizard who seeks to maintain order and believes the oppression she sees is just and necessary in order to protect Shibuya from disorder and danger.
REYNATIS is the meeting of Marin and Sari, as their ideals and magic clash against each other and cultures evolve.
REYNATIS features:
⚫︎ Fast-Paced Action RPG
⚫︎ Urban Fantasy Story
⚫︎ Shibuya Tokyo Setting
⚫︎ Score by Kingdom Hearts Composer Yoko Shimomura
⚫︎ Written by Final Fantasy Legend Kazushige Nojima
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about REYNATIS's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 PlayStation |
 Switch |
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| Price | $59.99 | ||||
REYNATIS Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Unique and Fun Combat System Beautiful Soundtrack Engaging Characters and Thought-Provoking Themes |
Kingdom Hearts Level of Exposition Dump Uninspired Magical World and Enemies |
REYNATIS Overall Score - 82/100
REYNATIS feels like a throwback to the PS2 era, and that’s both a compliment and a critique. It perfectly captures the outside-of-the-box creativity of classic PS2 RPGs like Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts 2, blending their best and worst traits. On one hand, you're treated to engaging characters and an exhilarating, over-the-top combat system. But on the flip side, there are moments where the game stumbles—uninspired environments, cookie-cutter enemies, and frustratingly long exposition dumps that drag things down. Yet despite its flaws, REYNATIS shines as a passion project, evoking the spirit of Final Fantasy Versus XIII. With any luck, this ambitious title will find success and lead to an even greater sequel.
REYNATIS Story - 7/10
It's immediately clear that Kazushige Nojima is behind this, with its intriguing concept, thought-provoking themes, and world-building on par with Echiiro Oda’s level of detail. However, as impressive as these ideas are, they don’t always translate well on screen. The biggest hurdle is the heavy reliance on exposition dumps, especially early on, where you're bombarded with jargon and complex terms, making it tough to follow or feel truly invested. It can be overwhelming and hard to engage with at first. Luckily, the characters are compelling and likable enough to ground the story, helping to smooth over the chaos and keep you hooked.
REYNATIS Gameplay - 9/10
REYNATIS offers a truly unique gameplay experience, with a combat loop that quickly becomes addictive. At first, it might feel a bit unfamiliar due to how different it is, but it masterfully blends some of the best elements from top JRPGs. While it’s not overly complex, it’s a fun and rewarding system that really stands out. The main downside is that the game tends to be on the easier side, and outside of combat, there isn’t much to sink your teeth into besides side quests.
REYNATIS Visuals - 7/10
The visuals in REYNATIS are a bit hit or miss. You won’t find the polish of AAA titles here; at times, it looks like a PS2 game with low-poly textures and character models. But then, there are moments that truly shine, especially in certain areas of Tokyo, during cutscenes, and with the main character designs. Shibuya feels alive and vibrant, complete with real product placements that add a nice touch of realism. However, the magical aspects don’t quite hold up; the pocket dimension called “Another” feels rather dull and uninspired next to the rest of the game’s striking visuals. It’s a mixed bag that leaves you wanting a bit more from the enchanted elements.
REYNATIS Audio - 9/10
If there’s one small critique to make about the game’s audio, it’s the absence of an English dub, which is a bit disappointing. However, the Japanese voice actors deliver outstanding performances that really bring the characters to life. Plus, Yoko Shimomura once again proves her genius, crafting tracks that truly resonate and elevate the experience.
REYNATIS Value for Money - 9/10
Despite its flaws, it’s clear that this game was crafted with immense passion and love. If you’re a fan of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, you’re in for a real treat. Even if those franchises aren’t your thing, the gameplay is so enjoyable that you won’t want to put it down. At $60, it offers great value, with plenty of content to keep you engaged for 15 to 20 hours.
REYNATIS Review: Versus XIII's Spiritual Successor
According to the game’s director, TATSUMI, the title comes from two distinct sources. First, the Latin word “renatus” translates to “birth” or “rebirth.” In Spanish, it can mean both “king” and “birth,” which together suggest the idea of a “born king.”
As you progress through the story, the themes of “birth” and “rebirth” become clearer. He explains that “REYNATIS as a title was a result of combining all of these things. In addition, the word itself has a significant meaning when it appears in the game.”
For me, it makes perfect sense that this game feels like a true spiritual successor to the canceled Final Fantasy Versus XIII, a project fans were so eager to see. While Nomura isn’t involved in REYNATIS, Kazushige Nojima, the writer for Kingdom Hearts and Versus XIII, and Yoko Shimomura, the composer for KH, are on board. It genuinely feels like a rebirth of that once-abandoned project.
Not only does it incorporate elements from the canceled game—like Marin's design—but it also revives the creativity, innovation, and freedom of classic RPGs from that era. The director himself has mentioned being inspired by those classics, and you can see influences from many other RPGs throughout. While everything doesn’t always mesh perfectly, it’s still a bold and incredible endeavor. It truly feels like a love letter to all things JRPG.
REYNATIS is an action RPG set in the vibrant streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, where fantasy and reality collide. In this world, the citizens of Shibuya live in fear of magic, forcing wizards to hide their abilities or risk persecution. Seeking strength and freedom, the wizard Marin arrives in Shibuya, where he crosses paths with Sari, an officer of the M.E.A., an organization tasked with controlling wizards.
The story takes off from there, and you get to play as both Marin and Sari, watching their ideals clash as they’re forced to team up to take on a greater threat. While the plot can feel a bit scattered at times, I found myself getting really invested in the second half when the game stopped over-explaining things and just let the story unfold naturally.
I have to admit, while the visuals can be hit or miss, I’m really impressed by how detailed and realistic Shibuya looks. It’s so well done, with product placements like Mos Burger and Adidas scattered throughout, making it feel alive. You can tell a lot of effort went into capturing the city. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for its magical counterpart, Another.
These areas feels bland and repetitive, with copy-paste environments that quickly become tiresome to explore. You frequently have to travel there through portals called the Fog to fight enemies, but even the enemy designs are pretty uninspired and boring.
The gameplay in REYNATIS follows a mission-based structure, progressing chapter by chapter as you control either Marin or Sari, depending on the story. You get to explore various parts of Shibuya while tackling quests, and later on, you can recruit party members to join your journey. You have the option to conceal your magical abilities to navigate the city like an ordinary civilian, shop, or take on side quests. Alternatively, you can unleash your explosive powers to access new areas and battle those who stand in your way.
While the gameplay is standard for an action RPG, the combat system is what truly makes it stand out. You must strategically manage two states: Suppressed
and Liberated.
Suppressed Mode acts as your defensive stance, while Liberated Mode allows you to unleash attacks. Switching between these modes requires enough MP, which is displayed in a gauge. You can regain MP passively or by executing perfect dodges, which fully recharge your MP, letting you enter Liberated Mode to unleash your magic with stylish attacks.
It might take a bit to get used to, but once you do, the system is incredibly rewarding. The combat becomes a blast as you unlock more combos and stronger attacks with additional party members and graffiti, which function as special attacks. Overall, it’s a fun experience that keeps you engaged as you master the mechanics and discover new ways to take on your foes.
Pros of REYNATIS
| Things REYNATIS Got Right |
|---|
|
Unique and Fun Combat System Beautiful Soundtrack Engaging Characters and Thought-Provoking Themes |
Unique and Fun Combat System
The game features a truly unique combat system that’s a blast to play, blending elements from a variety of RPGs. It feels like a mix of Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake with its ability to switch between party members, Kingdom Hearts with its fast-paced, stylish action and magic attacks, and Bayonetta for its time-slowing mechanic when your gauge is maxed. There’s even a touch of The World Ends With You (TWEWY), as you collect graffiti scattered around Shibuya, which serve as buffs, upgrades, and special attacks. However, you can only collect them if you’ve built up enough malice, which you earn through side quests.
This clever combination of gameplay elements makes the combat system really fun and engaging. While not every aspect flows perfectly, and there are moments where it can feel a bit clunky, the core combat shines. I especially love the strategic depth—deciding when to switch into Suppressed Mode to dodge and absorb hits or when to go all out in Liberated Mode to finish off enemies. If they make a sequel, I hope they refine and expand on this system, because it’s already a great foundation that could get even better!
Beautiful Soundtrack
Yoko Shimomura returns with yet another incredible soundtrack that truly elevates the game. Kingdom Hearts fans already know how brilliant she is, but this just solidifies her status as one of the greatest composers—not just in gaming, but in the world. There were so many moments where I had to stop and just take in the beautiful melodies and symphonic layers she created. I can’t wait for the full soundtrack to drop on Spotify so I can listen to it all over again.
Engaging Characters and Thought-Provoking Themes
Despite my issues with the game's storytelling, I found myself really intrigued by its deeper themes, especially how it portrays magic and wizardry as a political metaphor for Japan’s government. It raises thought-provoking questions about freedom versus control and explores the lives of society's outcasts. I appreciate the game’s ambition in tackling these heavy topics, particularly through its characters, who I genuinely enjoyed. Personally, I found Sari’s story more compelling than Marin’s—her arc is more focused, and you really see her worldview expand. The cast also shines with characters like Kiichiro Ukai and Moa Fukamachi, who bring some much-needed light and personality to an otherwise grim and dark setting. They’re excellent additions to the party and make the journey even more engaging.
Cons of REYNATIS
| Things That REYNATIS Can Improve |
|---|
|
Kingdom Hearts Level of Exposition Dump Uninspired Magical World and Enemies |
Kingdom Hearts Level of Exposition Dump
Kingdom Hearts is known for its heavy exposition and complex, often convoluted, storyline—introducing more questions than answers and presenting interesting concepts that don’t always get fully explored, especially in recent entries. While Nomura isn’t involved with REYNATIS, Kazushige Nojima, who has written for Kingdom Hearts, is, and you can definitely see that influence in the writing. Right from the start, you're hit with a flood of lore, from the role of Wizards to the various governing factions like the Magic Enforcement Administration (where Sari works), Owl (a group helping stray wizards), and the Magic Guild of Japan (the political powerhouse). It’s a lot to absorb in a short amount of time, and the complexity can sometimes overwhelm the storytelling. I feel like it would benefit from easing players into the world more gradually, rather than relying on constant dialogue to explain everything. Not everything needs to be told—some things can just unfold naturally.
Uninspired Magical World and Enemies
It’s strange to admit, but the streets of Shibuya are far more impressive than the magical realm known as Another.
A place that should feel mystical and filled with wonder ends up being pretty underwhelming, with basic environments like generic wilderness, forests, and factories. The areas often feel repetitive, like they’ve been copied and pasted, and lack the thought and detail put into Shibuya. It’s a shame because the monsters are equally forgettable—I can hardly recall their designs, and they don’t leave much of an impact. There's just no real sense of presence or awe in the magical world compared to the urban realism of Shibuya.
Is REYNATIS Worth It?
A Flawed but Genuine Fun Time
Despite its flaws, the game is undeniably fun, especially for action RPG fans, and if you love Kingdom Hearts, you'll feel right at home. For its price, it's an absolute steal, and you can tell a lot of passion went into its creation. The enjoyable gameplay more than makes up for its shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience overall.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Switch |
|||
| Price | $59.99 | ||||
REYNATIS FAQ
Are Characters from The World Ends With You in REYNATIS?
Without giving too much away, the game features some characters from TWEWY, including Shoko, but they can only be encountered through a special crossover side quest.
How Many Chapters are there in REYNATIS?
The game consists of 13 chapters and can be completed in around 15 to 20 hours.
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REYNATIS Product Information
 | |
| Title | REYNATIS |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 25, 2024 (Japan) September 27, 2024(NA, EU) October 4, 2024(ANZ) |
| Developer | FURYU Corporation |
| Publisher | NIS America, Inc. |
| Supported Platforms | PC(Steam), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, RPG |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Rating | RP |
| Official Website | REYNATIS Official Website |
