Game Freak is best known for its Pokémon games, so when Beast of Reincarnation was announced, it was a bit of a surprise to see the studio develop this kind of game. It is an action RPG with a lot of different mechanics mixed together and an art style that thematically resembles Studio Ghibli. At its core, though, it is still a game that is fundamentally flawed despite offering some neat gameplay systems.
The story of Beast of Reincarnation is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan. Players control Emma, a hunter with a companion dog who is tasked with tracking down creatures called Nushi. The world of Beast of Reincarnation has been overrun by an affliction known as the Blight. In this post-apocalyptic setting, where nature has taken over, the curse transforms smaller creatures into plant-animal hybrids known as Melfacts. It can also infect Golems, mechanical bodies into which humans have transferred their consciousness, driving them mad. Emma is tasked with purifying these creatures, but she and her dog, Koo, are also affected by the Blight. The story mainly focuses on the Beast of Reincarnation, a creature that threatens the world by awakening every century to wreak havoc.
The biggest issue with Beast of Reincarnation’s narrative is that while it has an interesting premise, it is delivered in a rather disappointing way. The story is deliberately slow-paced, with most of the lore and background behind major events being told or explained in the hub and between missions. It takes a lot of time to dig through everything to find something meaningful, and while the gameplay is fun, the characters and narrative are just as important for an action RPG of this calibre.
Speaking of the gameplay, I had a lot of fun with the parry system. While it is not exactly an open-world experience, the game is divided into different regions with semi-open environments that players can explore using their abilities. There are minor platforming sections mixed in with combat, along with some side content for players who choose to explore on their own.
The parry system in this game reminds me a lot of Sekiro from FromSoftware. The game encourages players to parry enemy attacks and rewards them by filling a gauge that unlocks more abilities and counterattacks while also powering up Koo, allowing him to use his own abilities. It is possible to use Koo’s abilities through a command menu right in the middle of combat, and they are usually followed by a quick-time event that reminded me of the battle system in Shadow Hearts. Enemies can also be staggered by landing consecutive attacks, giving players the option to finish them off with powerful finishers.
There are more layers to the combat as well, with upgradable elemental weapons, consumables, and additional combo options that gradually unlock as the game progresses. Platforming is supported by giving Emma unique traversal abilities, such as using her hair to hover or a grapple-like move to reach distant objects. She can also launch herself to points of interest using her hair, giving her greater mobility in both combat and exploration.
Boss fights are fun and one of the highlights of Beast of Reincarnation. Their designs are unique, fit the world’s theme, and they usually feature multiple phases. Death does not really lead to a game over, as the game uses a simple checkpoint system that keeps the experience from becoming too punishing.
While the gameplay has solid foundations, this is not a technically polished game. It often feels like it lacks refinement, especially with how the camera and lock-on system behave. It is not always possible to see enemy attacks because of the unreliable camera. Hit detection also feels inconsistent, and the performance, even on PS5 Pro, was not as stable as I had hoped.
Visually, it is a decent-looking game, but it has noticeable flaws. For example, when opening the menu, the main character looks heavily aliased even though I reviewed the game on a PS5 Pro with the Pro Enhanced mode enabled. While the game targets 60 FPS, the frame pacing is inconsistent, making occasional stutters easy to notice. It can also feel quite overwhelming at first, but it gradually becomes easier to understand as it explains most of its mechanics over time.
Beast of Reincarnation is a solid first effort from Game Freak for a game of this scale. However, it is clear that it is not as technically polished as other action RPGs. The developers may be able to address some of the technical issues over time, but the story still leaves a lot to be desired. It is visually competent and entertaining to play, but technically flawed. Depending on your tolerance for technical issues, this may still be a game that clicks with you.
Beast of Reincarnation Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Fictions
- Developer: Game Freak
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
