Japanese game developer FuRyu, celebrated for its anime-styled JRPGs such as The Caligula Effect and the CRY series, has recently introduced ANOMALITH, a fresh liminal-space survival horror TPS slated for an October release. The reveal has already sparked enthusiasm, accumulating over 20,000 Wishlists on Steam within two days. In response, the development team has issued an unusual message to players, tackling a stereotype that has emerged around FuRyu’s titles.
A phrase frequently heard among Japanese gamers online, “It’s a FuRyu game, though” (JP: でもフリューだしな), reflects the mixed feelings some consumers have regarding FuRyu’s games, particularly concerning gameplay mechanics, despite the company’s captivating concepts and visuals. This expression isn’t purely critical; it’s more of a cautious optimism: “This looks fantastic, but we’ll see how it plays out.” This sentiment has likely been reinforced by recent FuRyu releases, such as the 2025 school life RPG Varlet and the 2024 magic action RPG Reynatis, which generated considerable pre-release buzz but fell short with players and critics.
The developers’ latest communication, posted on the official ANOMALITH X account, begins with those very words, directed “To those of you who thought It’s a FuRyu game, though.” While it might come across as slightly defiant in translation, the tone is actually quite humble. The team expresses gratitude for the positive reception to ANOMALITH’s announcement but acknowledges that “while many people appreciate the world-building and atmosphere in our games, they have reservations about the gameplay.” FuRyu states it is taking this feedback seriously, especially since ANOMALITH is a third-person shooter—a genre the developer has limited experience with.
One of the steps FuRyu has taken is organizing pre-release playtesting sessions with domestic gaming media outlets, asking for their critiques on gameplay aspects like exploration, combat, customization, and the TPS’s overall feel. FuRyu encourages skeptical fans to review these feedback summaries (linked in the X post) but also recognizes that a playable demo is the best way to address concerns. The company is now working on “creating an opportunity for everyone to experience the game,” though it’s unclear whether this will be an in-person event or a digital demo. “There’s still plenty to accomplish before launch, but we remain committed to development to meet your expectations,” the developers assure.
The reaction to this message has been overwhelmingly positive among Japanese gamers, with many commending FuRyu for its self-awareness and willingness to confront its past shortcomings. Conversely, this has set high expectations for ANOMALITH, whose success or failure will significantly influence domestic gamers’ trust in FuRyu moving forward.
ANOMALITH is scheduled to release on October 29 for PC (Steam), PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Mido