Review: Beast of Reincarnation

Delicacy Can Still Exist Even in a Lost World

When Beast of Reincarnation was first announced, many people looked at the project simply as “the new Game Freak game”. That reaction was inevitable. After all, we are talking about the studio responsible for Pokémon for decades. But after only a few minutes with Emma and Ko, it became clear that this project had a completely different direction.

After completing the entire campaign, I was left with the feeling that the studio finally had the freedom to show what it was capable of outside its main franchise. Beast of Reincarnation delivers demanding combat, a breathtaking world, and a duo of protagonists that quickly wins over the player. Not everything works perfectly, especially when it comes to some technical aspects and design decisions, but it is rare to see a first project of this scale demonstrate so much personality.

Rather than simply following the Soulslike formula, Beast of Reincarnation creates its own identity by combining action, vertical exploration, ability management, and an extremely well-developed relationship between Emma and her companion Ko.

STORY

The story takes place thousands of years in the future, in a Japan devastated by the Pestilence, a force capable of corrupting people, creatures, and nature itself. In this world, we follow Emma, a young woman who knows little about her own origins and carries a destiny directly connected to the future of humanity.

From the very beginning, Beast of Reincarnation makes it clear that its narrative will play an important role in the experience. Unlike many games in the genre, which hide much of their story in optional details, here the campaign constantly presents its narrative through numerous scenes. At times, the amount of cutscenes can slightly interrupt the exploration flow, but it is also what allows the game to develop its characters more effectively.

The biggest highlight is the relationship between Emma and Ko, a giant dog found injured and trapped against a tree by an arrow. Their first encounter happens in a quiet and emotional way, and it quickly becomes clear that there is a much deeper connection between them than just a combat partnership.

Throughout the journey, we can strengthen this bond, pet Ko, and unlock new possibilities for his abilities. What could have been just a progression mechanic also works as a way to create an emotional connection between the characters. Ko became one of the most useful and charismatic companions I have encountered recently in games, even feeling better utilized than D-Dog from Metal Gear Solid V.

Throughout the campaign, we meet characters such as Kagura, Brad, Violet, and Kunai, who help build this world. Kagura stands out especially because of the way she shows a new perspective for Emma, a protagonist who slowly learns how to create connections with other people. Small moments, such as learning simple expressions of daily life, make these interactions feel surprisingly human.

Violet also draws attention because of the mystery surrounding her, as only Emma can see her, while Mikoto helps explain the nature of the Pestilence and the different ways people deal with corruption.

One of the biggest strengths of the story is the constant feeling of hope it delivers. Even in a destroyed world where corrupted creatures dominate the landscape, Beast of Reincarnation still finds room to show beauty, affection, and small moments of humanity.

That was the main feeling the campaign left me with: even in a devastated world, there is still room for delicacy and the belief that a better future is possible. The ending also concludes Emma’s journey in a satisfying way, although it leaves some questions open, including a detail involving a second capsule that sparks curiosity about a possible continuation.

GAMEPLAY

Beast of Reincarnation builds upon an action framework inspired by Soulslikes, but it finds its own identity primarily through the relationship between Emma and Ko. Combat demands focus, enemy awareness, and mastery of parrying, but its greatest strength lies in the way the two protagonists fight together.

Emma handles direct combat with her sword, dodges, perfect guards, and special abilities. Ko, on the other hand, acts as a true combat companion, taking on different roles depending on the abilities you unlock. He can deal damage, protect Emma, or inflict negative status effects on enemies, making him one of the most useful companions I have encountered in this type of game. The developers created a character who genuinely participates in the adventure instead of simply following the player around.

The combat system places far greater emphasis on parrying than on traditional dodging. A perfectly timed guard activates Blade effects, enhancing your attacks and unlocking new combat opportunities. Perfect dodges are also available, but throughout my playthrough it became clear that the game rewards players who truly learn to master its defensive mechanics.

Beast of Reincarnation is at its best when facing individual enemies, especially bosses. Learning attack patterns, recognizing the right moment to strike, and finally earning a victory after mastering their mechanics makes for some of the most satisfying moments in the adventure. However, battles become more complicated when several enemies appear at once, mainly because of the camera and the lock-on system.

One of my biggest recommendations is to disable lock-on assistance before fighting the Nushi. Against these massive creatures, the automatic targeting can make positioning more difficult and reduce your overall precision.

Rangifer, the first Nushi encountered during the journey, is a perfect example. The encounter serves as a complete introduction to the game's mechanics and becomes significantly more enjoyable once you understand the importance of parrying, perfect dodging, and proper camera control. After mastering these elements, it becomes one of the most memorable boss fights in the opening hours.

Defeating the Nushi allows Emma to absorb their powers and unlock new abilities. This progression system is one of the game's highlights, as each defeated creature represents another step in Emma's growth, visually reflected by the flowers that bloom in her hair after purification.

Character progression revolves around separate skill trees for Emma and Ko, alongside equipment and talismans. The overall concept works well, although the skill trees could be presented more clearly. Many upgrades feel subtle, and it is not always obvious how much each choice will impact combat.

The Walker and Purifier base also plays an important role, allowing players to upgrade weapons, adjust abilities, rest, and manage resources. Its structure resembles the hub systems seen in other games, with upgrades and rewards closely tied to overall progression.

Exploration is another major highlight. Although the game is not a fully open world, its environments are spacious and make excellent use of verticality. Emma's hair plays a key role here, allowing her to reach elevated areas, uncover hidden paths, and explore every region more thoroughly with the press of R2 or RT.

Vegetation is one of the game's most impressive features. Beyond creating beautiful landscapes, it actively shapes exploration, with roots, trees, and natural structures serving as pathways to hidden discoveries.

The maps are filled with caves, well-placed campsites, and rewarding secrets, reducing the need for long backtracking after defeat. Even so, there are moments where the game creates a stronger sense of freedom than it actually offers, especially when seemingly accessible areas are blocked by invisible walls.

The difficulty is also well balanced. I recommend playing on Normal, as it provides a satisfying challenge without becoming frustrating. Easy reduces much of the intended experience, while Hard is better suited for players already familiar with the genre.

I stayed on Normal throughout my entire playthrough and found the progression highly rewarding. The greatest sense of accomplishment came from learning the mechanics and understanding how to make the best use of every available tool.

The Nushi are visually spectacular, but I did wish there was more variety between them. Several encounters follow similar structures, with familiar attack patterns and fewer meaningful changes than I expected.

Even with these shortcomings, Beast of Reincarnation delivers one of the most enjoyable combat systems I have experienced in this style of game. The combination of Emma and Ko, vertical exploration, and meaningful progression allows it to stand out as much more than another Soulslike-inspired adventure.

VISUALS AND SOUND

If there is one area where Beast of Reincarnation impresses immediately, it is its visuals. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers highly detailed environments, convincing lighting, and vegetation that becomes one of the defining elements of its world.

Nature is more than simple decoration. Trees, roots, and ancient structures create the feeling of a living environment, especially through the way Emma's hair interacts with the world around her.

Emma herself is beautifully designed, featuring impressive detail in her face, clothing, and subtle visual touches, such as the roots inside her chest, which quietly reveal more about her character.

The art direction blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with futuristic elements, combining natural landscapes, ancient machinery, and the ruins of a forgotten civilization. The soundtrack complements this vision perfectly, drawing strong inspiration from Japanese music and reinforcing the atmosphere throughout the adventure.

Despite its visual quality, the technical side has room for improvement. PC performance was one of my biggest criticisms, as maintaining a stable 60 FPS proved difficult even on a high-end system. I also encountered a few minor visual glitches, mostly involving the environment, although none of them significantly affected my experience.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Beast of Reincarnation features a varied achievement list, especially for players who enjoy exploring everything the game has to offer. Many achievements are tied to natural story progression, such as defeating the major Nushi, fully upgrading Emma and Ko's abilities, improving weapons, increasing attributes, and strengthening relationships with characters like Kagura and Ko. Completionists will also find plenty to do through cooking, collectible documents, seeds, equipment, and various upgrade systems.

On the other hand, some achievements demand more dedication than I would have liked, particularly those requiring every collectible, every shrine, legendary murals, and other exploration-based objectives. Encouraging players to search every corner of the world is a good idea, but making it mandatory for full completion can become somewhat exhausting. There is also the traditional New Game+ achievement. I do plan to earn it eventually, but only after taking some time away before returning to this journey.

TRAILER OFFICIAL

FINAL THOUGHTS

Beast of Reincarnation was one of the biggest surprises I have experienced in recent years. Game Freak has delivered something completely different from what most players expect from the studio, demonstrating an ambition that few imagined they would see outside of Pokémon.

The relationship between Emma and Ko is the game's greatest strength. Ko is far more than a gameplay mechanic, playing an essential role in combat, progression, and the narrative itself. It is rare to find a duo this well integrated, where one character influences both how you play and how you experience the journey.

The combat system is equally rewarding once you understand its philosophy. Its emphasis on parrying, the strategic use of Ko's abilities, and the progression built around the Nushi's powers create a satisfying learning curve that rewards mastery rather than simple stat growth.

There are still areas that keep the game from reaching perfection. PC optimization needs improvement, the Nushi encounters could offer greater variety, the skill tree could communicate its upgrades more clearly, and some invisible boundaries reduce the sense of freedom during exploration. Even so, Beast of Reincarnation stands out because of the strong identity it builds throughout the campaign.

Its combination of precise combat, vertical exploration, memorable protagonists, and a richly detailed world allows it to stand out in an extremely competitive genre. Emma and Ko's journey is one of the most memorable gaming experiences I have had in 2026 and easily ranks among the year's most ambitious and surprising releases.

SCORE: 9.4/10

 Review by Gamertag: Scoulz