After getting an opportunity to look at an NIS America workers member play by the upcoming JRPG Reynatis, I used to be struck by the varied forces at play within the sport. In some ways, it looks as if a participant may have to steadiness sure components, reminiscent of which mode to make use of in battle and their stress ranges. Whereas there’s nonetheless extra to see and make sure, it looks as if the kind of sport the place a participant may have to concentrate.
Throughout my hands-off preview session, I used to be capable of watch an NIS America worker pattern two sections. The primary featured Magic Enforcement Administration (MEA) agent Sari Nishijima work alongside her workforce members Kiichiro Ukai and Masayoshi Dogo on a seek for Wizarts, markings within the metropolis enabling sure magical skills and abilities, round Shibuya. Within the different portion, there was a briefer take a look at wizards Marin Kirizumi and Nika Meguro as the 2 occur upon one another in Shibuya and try to stay freely as wizards. From there, transient glimpses of exploration and battle helped set the stage for the title.
One of many methods the balancing act in Reynatis got here up in gameplay throughout the preview session concerned actions wizards take. We rapidly discovered that Stress is a key issue. It’s attributable to interactions with folks within the metropolis and round you, and diminished if you happen to seize a drink. Petting cats round city was additionally talked about as a method to calm somebody down.
It’s a vital ingredient, since somebody being burdened means they received’t be capable to conceal that they’re a wizard. It will make them seen within the metropolis, leading to undue consideration from folks and the MEA and the shortcoming to tackle sure quests. These extra enemy encounters will be harmful, as if you happen to’re burdened going right into a struggle, you’ll solely be capable to benefit from Liberation Mode. This allows you to use your magical skills to decelerate time, rapidly assault, and deal main supernatural harm. Nevertheless, you received’t be capable to dodge such as you do in Suppression Mode and enemies transfer sooner. In case your Stress is low, then you possibly can swap between the 2 modes in a struggle to extra tactfully benefit from each to construct up magical energy and evade assaults earlier than putting again laborious.
There’s additionally the thought of some people towing the positive line between security and hazard. This is because of using an unlawful drug on the streets referred to as Rubrum that enables somebody with out magical expertise to see and use wizarts. Throughout the Sari portion of the story on show within the hands-off preview, a part of the mission concerned her workforce of three investigating Wizarts and occurring upon a human who had been usually taking this drug. In consequence, he’d hit his restrict and, throughout the encounter, reworked right into a monster due to that use.
A part of that steadiness appears to be between real-world and fantasy components too, from what I noticed. The MEA constructing in a single a part of the preview appeared abnormal sufficient as Sari explored it, however there have been additionally these magical Wizart and wizard components. Their uniforms additionally stood out in a approach regular governmental workers’ would. This doesn’t even get into the eventual NEO The World Ends with Youcomponents that NIS promised. However as soon as somebody heads out into the town, Shibuya seems as it might in the actual world. Whereas I watched the NIS America worker play and go to a retailer, acquainted merchandise confirmed up. There was C.C. Lemon, my favourite lemon-flavored soda and Yakuza collection staple. BOSS espresso confirmed up as nicely.
All of this makes me curious how tough it is going to be to take care of these kinds of balances once I’m taking part in Reynatis firsthand. It looks as if there’s so much to handle right here. Particularly contemplating the penalties wizards can face in the event that they get careless.
Reynatis will come to the PS4, PS5, Change, and PC in North America and Europe on September 27, 2024, after which in Australia on October 4, 2024.
