Square-Enix and Tokyo RPG Factory discuss the decision to make Oninaki an action RPG

Tokyo RPG Factory has worked on both I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphere, two very traditional RPGs. With Oninaki, the team has decided to go the action RPG route. In an interview with Famitsu, some members of both Square-Enix and Tokyo RPG Factory explain their decision.

Atsushi Hashimoto, Director: “At first, I tried making an RPG with a lone protagonist. I even threw in a drawing of Dragon Quest I in the drafts [laughs]. Since there wasn’t going to be any party members, I thought about throwing in job elements, and looked into all kinds of things…”

Ryutaro Sasaki, Producer: “So I said ‘Wouldn’t an action RPG be better with this plan?’”

Atsushi Hashimoto: “Even within the team, many have voiced their desire for an action RPG, so it wasn’t like Sasaki-san used his voice of authority, but he simply pushed the discussion. Actually, when making I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear, we made it in a way that action RPGs are made, with hit collisions in battle using skill range and such, all so that we could possibly make an action RPG in the future.”

Takashi Tokita, Creative Producer: “Ohh! Now there’s a guy that can get stuff done! [Laughs]