8Bit/Digi

Welcome to the Streets of Shibuya

From when it was announced, REYNATIS caught my attention due to its striking resemblance to NEO: The World Ends With You. This perception was reinforced by the fact that the game will have a NEO: The World Ends With You DLC available at launch. However, these similarities are only surface-level, as REYNATIS quickly establishes itself as a unique experience.

REYNATIS is an action-RPG that makes you question what the player is doing while tossing you onto the streets of Shibuya. It’s a game that will get your attention because of the obvious influence. Yet, it will make you stay because of how it becomes its won experience.

Die With a Secret

REYNATIS is set in a world where a small minority of magic users, known as wizards, live in fear. Regarded as dangerous, wizards are hunted by the Magic Enforcement Administration (M.E.A.), forcing them to hide their powers and live in the shadows. However, not all wizards are willing to remain concealed, and this defiance sparks a violent clash that unfolds on the streets of Shibuya. Players assume dual roles: Marin Kirizumi, a wizard seeking freedom through strength, and Sari Nishijima, an officer of the M.E.A. As their paths inevitably cross, the story explores the tension between fighting for freedom and upholding justice.

The story is one that I have to commend for how it makes you think and question the morality of your player character. Marin Kirizumi, a vigilante wizard, fights to create a just society for his kind, battling those who threaten others. On the other hand, Sari Nishijima is an officer in a government agency viewed as an oppressor toward wizards. Yet she genuinely believes she’s upholding justice and protecting the public. These characters not only clash with each other but also grapple with their own beliefs, often questioning their principles as the story unfolds.

Where the Wind Blows

REYNATIS takes players to two worlds, the streets of Shibuya and a magical realm dubbed Another. The streets of Shibuya are populated by people going about their night along with shops and restaurants. Navigating this world requires Marin to hide his magic or risk attracting unwanted attention. Too much attention could result in the M.E.A. taking you down. Another are numerous realms with entrances that only wizards can see. They are populated by monsters and demons while offering players the opportunity to grind for experience.

The combat will feel familiar while offering its own unique spin. It follows a hack-and-slash format where players wield weapons to attack enemies and unleash powerful magic strikes for devastating blows. Your teammates fight alongside you and can step in at any moment, allowing for seamless character switching. However, your attack opportunities are limited, as magic use drains your energy. Once depleted, you’re left temporarily vulnerable, forcing you to think strategically or swap to another character to maintain the advantage.

After each battle, players are rated on their actions while also earning exp. Earning exp will boost their stats and level up their characters. They will also earn supplies like health items that can be used in future combat.

Taking Flight

One thing is certain—REYNATIS cannot be accused of copying NEO: The World Ends With You. While the influence is apparent at first glance, it remains only at a surface level. At its core, REYNATIS stands as its own game, both in terms of story and gameplay. The narrative compels players to question their characters and the decisions they make, while the gameplay strikes a balance between familiarity and innovation. It doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel, but it avoids being overly predictable, achieving just the right mix of creativity and originality.

Spilling Blood

REYNATIS’s shortcomings primarily stem from its tutorial, which fails to adequately explain some key gameplay elements and imposes a strict passing requirement. Additionally, the level design in the Another realms can feel repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.

The main issue with the tutorial lies in its rigid structure, requiring players to attack enemies using specific moves as instructed. For certain actions, this becomes a tedious process, as the tutorial demands precise completion. Sometimes without offering clear guidance on some moves and actions. Additionally, the level design of the Another realms becomes repetitive, missing the opportunity to fully utilize its unique setting. The layouts also lack variety, making the gameplay feel less dynamic over time.

Despite these shortcomings, it was not enough to hamper my playthrough or overall experience.

Champion of Another

REYNATIS is an action experience that tosses you onto the streets of Shibuya while making you question your characters. The story has a thought-provoking narrative that makes you question their morals and actions. The gameplay mechanics and combat system are easy to learn as you enjoy exploring Shibuya.

Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

REYNATIS (PC)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• A thought-provoking narrative that makes you question your character.
• Visually stunning, with a perfect ability to set the tone for each scene.
• Easy to learn gameplay mechanics and combat system.
• Exploring the games version of Shibuya.

Cons

• Tutorial lacks clarity at times and it makes you do things in a certain way.
• Another realm gets repetive at times.