Rain of Reflections Short Q&A

Well hello everyone, and welcome to my second interview of the year. This time I had the chance to ask Vincent of Lionbite Games a few questions about his new Cyberpunk RPG game Rain of Reflections. Here is the announcement trailer if you missed it.

And this is Victor, the head of Lionbite Games.

I hope you all enjoy the interview!

Couchpotato: Your game looks really interesting, and more Cyberpunk RPGs are always welcome. Can you share a little information about yourself?

Couchpotato: According to your website you were a games journalist for over fifteen years, and have seen many changes. So what's your opinion on the state of the game industry?

Lionbite Games: I founded Lionbite Games because I felt an increasing urge to be hands-on in creating the game that I always wanted to play myself. I hand-picked and headhunted my dream team, and I've been very fortunate in gaining their trust. I am very aware that my ideas and “strengths-in-limitations” philosophy would be impossible without all the talents that realize them.

Couchpotato: One of the big changes is the rise of crowdfunding. Have you ever considered trying to make a new game using this model?

Lionbite Games: Yes, we are certainly exploring the possibilities with this, but as newcomers we have a lot to prove, and making the world’s players understand exactly what we’re trying to do without spoiling it or giving away too much about the experience would be a challenge.

Couchpotato: A question most of our readers like to ask is what are your favorite RPG games you played over the years?

Lionbite Games: I love the genre, and am born and bred on brilliant games such as Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VII and eventually Mass Effect, but what I’ve found increasingly discouraging with the genre lately is the amount of grinding and filler progression that seems to be not only accepted but encouraged by gamers. 63 hours grinding Lost Odyssey kind of was the breaking point for me. As a 31-year-old, I feel that my time is limited and I need experiences that offer something more focused.

Couchpotato: You just announced Rain of Reflections this week so can you share a few details about the game, and what makes the game stand out from other RPG games?

Lionbite Games: I’m personally very enthusiastic about Cyberpunk 2077 and really look forward to playing it. But even if Rain of Reflections and Cyberpunk 2077 may share some basic common themes, they are fundamentally different on every other level.

Couchpotato: According to your press release, the game will be played with three different perspectives of one male, and two females. How will this work? Can you also elaborate on how each choice you make with each protagonists will alter the game, and it's ending?

Lionbite Games: You don’t get to choose between different characters or create your own, as this can sometimes result in the characters being somewhat generic. We give the player control over each of the three characters chronologically, and eventually even play around with the dynamics of that. 

Lionbite Games: The flexibility and the business of it. As I mentioned, Lionbite Games is a truly independent studio and Unity offers an appropriate model for this. Unity 5 is actually a very competent engine.

Couchpotato: How will combat work? The video shows you using a cover-based system. Will it be turn-based, or more like the Mass Effect games, and how will the camera perspective be when you play the final release?

Lionbite Games: I would love to tell you more about the battle system and how it works practically, but we’re saving this reveal for a later date..!

Lionbite Games: As stated on the site (I’m gonna keep this one formally official): “The game is considered to be done when it has reached its intended quality and potential, estimated during 2016. We won’t release anything half-baked just to get it out there.”

Couchpotato: Once again, thank you for your time! Do you have anything to add before we finish?

Lionbite Games: I think people will be surprised to see how the universe actually differs and find the unique parts surprising and intriguing. We’ll have to get back to you on that...

This was all we could gather for now, but look forward to more information in the future!