Beast of Reincarnation combines satisfying sword combat, an emotional story, and a beautiful post-apocalyptic world. A few pacing and performance issues hold it back, but Game Freak’s new action RPG is still well worth playing.
Score: 8/10
A Story That Takes Time to Click
Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, Beast of Reincarnation follows Emma and her canine companion, Koo, as they battle corrupted creatures and uncover the truth behind a dangerous force known as the Blight.
The story initially felt slow and somewhat difficult to follow. I played with non-English audio, which made it harder to connect with the narrative while also concentrating on the gameplay. Once I understood the storyline and the relationship between Emma and Koo, however, I became much more invested.
Combat That Grows on You
The combat system combines Emma’s real-time sword attacks and parries with command-based abilities from Koo. It did not immediately click for me, and some mechanics initially seemed unnecessary or more complicated than they needed to be.
After spending more time with the controls, everything began to work together. Learning when to parry, attack, and use Koo’s abilities made combat much more satisfying. Once I got the hang of the different systems, I felt compelled to keep playing.
What Works and What Does Not
The game’s greatest strengths are its atmospheric world, emotional storyline, and unusual combat system. The bond between Emma and Koo gives the adventure its heart and becomes more meaningful as the story develops.
However, the slow beginning may test some players’ patience. A few mechanics also feel superfluous and do not add much to the overall experience.
Final Verdict
Beast of Reincarnation requires some patience. The story takes time to understand, and the combat system has a noticeable learning curve. However, once everything comes together, the game becomes difficult to put down.
Despite its slow pacing and a few unnecessary mechanics, the engaging story and rewarding combat made it a memorable experience.
Final score: 8/10