As a seasoned gamer with over three decades under my belt, I can confidently say that Reynatis is like stepping into a time machine and going back to 2004 – if 2004 was a bad dream I’d rather forget. The game feels like it was developed in a PS2 era lab, complete with jagged edges and uneven textures that make me long for the pixelated charm of yesteryears.
As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the charm of nostalgia. It often feels like the good old days were shinier, more hopeful, perhaps because we hadn’t faced all the challenges that followed. Interestingly, the gaming industry invests an enormous amount of resources into recapturing the past, and it’s considered a success when a game from 2024 mirrors one from 1994, or when classic franchises are revived for another installment. I’m all for these tributes – when they’re deliberate and well-executed. However, I can’t help but wonder if the developers of Reynatis were truly aiming for a faithful recreation, or if they stumbled onto it by accident.
This game is a third-person action title that openly acknowledges its inspirations, which isn’t necessarily a problem if it’s done well. However, Reynatis seems reminiscent of PlayStation 2 games, not because it was intentionally designed this way, but rather because it gives off an outdated vibe. The graphics are quite rough, featuring inconsistent textures and noticeable jagged edges. I might have been able to ignore this, and even the combat tries valiantly to mask it, but the narrative is also a hodgepodge of familiar ideas.
In this alternate reality of the bustling district Shibuya, magic isn’t just a figment of imagination – it’s real and potent, but also treacherous. The authorities have established a special police unit known as MEA to manage and contain its misuse. Interestingly, the MEA members themselves wield this magic, but only for maintaining order and preventing others from abusing it. I find myself, as a fresh recruit in the MEA, partnered with a street-smart wizard named Sari. As the story unfolds, we’re joined by additional characters, but initially, our journey is dominated by Sari’s experiences. However, as the game progresses, the spotlight gradually shifts towards another key character, Marin, who hails from the streets and possesses extraordinary magical abilities.
In Reynatis, the characters are generally engaging, albeit predictable for the genre, yet it’s noteworthy that some of its most captivating scenes occur during street walks in Shibuya and while interacting with other characters and the environment. Additionally, you can acquire valuable skills and abilities merely by examining things like graffiti, making exploration not only enjoyable but also productive.
The awkward guide introduces the fundamental principles of combat, primarily focused on the mechanic called Burst Liberation. In this system, you’ll find yourself toggling between two modes: Liberation and Suppression. During Liberation mode, your focus is on dealing damage and increasing speed while using up your Magic Points (MP) to vanquish opponents. When your MP depletes, you transition into Suppression mode, where you strategically dodge and counterattack to replenish your MP. Once fully charged, you can unleash the Burst attack.
This combat system isn’t very innovative, but it does require quick thinking in every battle as there’s no need for precise timing of dodges. However, it can be manipulated a bit due to the predictable appearance of a vivid ring when you can dodge or parry. All you have to do is keep the button pressed until the ring changes color and then let go, making it a relatively simple system to exploit since the enemies keep attacking relentlessly.
Towards the latter stages, boss battles become particularly frustrating as they introduce moves that cannot be avoided using your usual evasion techniques. Instead, you must learn to anticipate these unavoidable attacks, which can be tricky since there are still some moves you can dodge. To make things even more challenging, the intensity of the battles steadily increases, resembling a situation where bullets or other projectiles are flying everywhere.
At first glance, the battle appears vibrant and exciting, yet upon closer inspection, it becomes unclear who’s doing what. Characters seem to dance around erratically, performing jumps and somersaults, while particles seemingly scatter (though they may just be effects). The chaotic display quickly loses its appeal due to the confusion it generates. Although it showcases intriguing special skills, these abilities often veer towards the exaggerated. However, it fails to live up to its own hype.
In Reynatis, the lack of diversity in environments and enemy designs doesn’t make things more engaging. Despite the different themes and layouts in the dungeons, they fail to create a truly alien atmosphere. As you journey into “The Another”, an awkwardly named alternate dimension located beneath our world, visual wow factors are seldom encountered.
If you’re a follower of Yoko Shimomura, you’ll find Reynatis quite appealing as she was the one who created its music. Known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts series (and other projects), she has earned a large fanbase. However, since there aren’t many tracks, they might start to feel repetitive, but the overall score is genuinely good quality.
In essence, Reynatis appears to be a game that seems outdated compared to contemporary titles. The graphics, while not hideous by today’s standards, are somewhat primitive. Moreover, the complex narrative and chaotic combat can’t be compensated by good music or the minimal portion of the gameplay that doesn’t involve the main loop. It’s playable but not exceptional, offering some enjoyment in terms of characters and spectacle, but overall it’s an average gaming experience.
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2024-09-23 11:16