In the gaming industry, there are development teams that are synonymous with the franchises they work on. EA Sports with FIFA (now FC), Visual Concepts with the NBA 2K series, Infinity Ward with Call of Duty (though they aren’t the only ones), Monolith Soft with Xenoblade Chronicles, and of course, Game Freak with the Pokémon games. And that is somewhat fine, because when a team finds its niche, the sky is the limit. But among these studios, there is always one that has been, in a way, held captive for years, even decades, by the hardware they were creating their games for. Game Freak is one of those teams, having spent almost their entire existence working on Pokémon games, all the way back to 1996 when they created Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green. It’s not like they didn’t have excursions into other titles, but those were smaller games, not exactly industry-defining. And we always wondered: what would Game Freak do if they weren’t limited by Nintendo consoles? If they weren’t bottlenecked by their hardware power? What would they do if they simply had the power of the current best consoles and PCs at their disposal? Beast of Reincarnation is the answer to that, an action-adventure coming from this studio, the first true project from Game Freak that doesn’t tie them to a Nintendo console. What’s more, this game is releasing exclusively for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and PC. A bit weird, but true.
Immediately after its initial announcement and the first detailed showcase earlier this year, Beast of Reincarnation became one of the most anticipated titles of the year. Simply because it combines everything we love about action-adventure games with some mechanics boldly borrowed from titles like Sekiro and other Souls-like games. Granted, we haven’t seen much of it until now, but honestly, I couldn’t wait to jump in and play it. And to our great joy, Fictions jumped in, and we’ve spent almost two weeks playing this game. And now for the main question: is it worth it? Let’s find out.
A story abot a girl and a dog
Beast of Reincarnation takes place two millennia in the future, in the exact year 4026. The world is devastated, practically destroyed by a mysterious disease that attacks plants, animals, and humans alike. It’s everywhere: in the air, in the soil, and in all the people who weren’t lucky enough to be protected from it immediately after birth. It’s a plague that no one knows the origin of, leaving behind a wasteland with only a handful of survivors from a once-massive civilization. Furthermore, it mutates animals, turning them into monsters by fusing nature, plants, and whatever those animals used to be. For two millennia, humanity has been trying to contain this world-dominating disease, but they keep failing, leading them to the point of giving up the fight and surrendering to their fate. However, hope still remains, as rumor has it that a young girl from the small eastern town of Ogouchi holds the power to break this vicious cycle the world is currently trapped in. A girl who was infected with this disease from birth, and precisely because of that, banished from her settlement, people are simply terrified of individuals like her. But exactly because the disease has been with her since birth, making her immune to its lethal effects, she is the perfect candidate to kill the Beast of Reincarnation, the entity at the very center of this epidemic, and usher in a new epoch for humanity.
In Beast of Reincarnation, you take on the role of this young girl, Emma, someone with no memories of her childhood and who entirely lacks emotions. She doesn’t know how they work, which means she doesn’t know how to react to everything happening around her either. This wasteland, the plague, the mutation destroying the world, it all hides within her, granting her powers that no one else in this world possesses. Emma’s mission is simple: find where the Beast of Reincarnation is hiding and kill the beast. According to the elders, this is her sole purpose for existing. But to reach this mythical creature, she first has to destroy others standing in her path. The entities ravaging parts of this world are called Nushi. They are a brutal amalgamation of flora and fauna. A Nushi ravaging a region also spreads the infection further, making it your task to destroy each Nushi one by one, liberating those regions, until you finally reach your ultimate goal.
However, Emma isn’t alone; she has help. Here is the first detail, Game Freak’s signature touch, and I could safely say an homage to the franchise they’ve been working on for decades. With Emma is Koo, a dog or a wolf, I’m not 100% sure which, who never leaves her side. Koo is also infected with this disease, but he isn’t one of those bad, evil, horrific animals. Koo is there to help you in every absolute sense of the word. By killing every Nushi they hunt down, their power and strength will gradually grow, because upon death, every Nushi transfers its skills and power to Emma and Koo. So, it’s a win-win situation: on one hand, you’re helping humanity; on the other, you’re making yourself stronger.
Emma and Koo are a perfect pair, and their dynamic in this game is genuinely wonderful. This isn’t a title where animals speak to humans in the same language. Koo barks, and Emma listens, trying to interpret what he wants from her. As time passes, she will learn and understand more and more about Koo and his intentions. Throughout your journey, there will be a few other people joining your crew traveling on the Cleanse Walker, a robot that serves as your main mode of transport as you head toward the Beast of Reincarnation. Part of your team includes a little girl named Kagura, who will do her best to keep the Cleanse Walker in top shape while you’re away, as well as always prepare something delicious and savory for you to eat after an exhausting fight against monsters. There’s also Brad (B-RAOU!), because every Cleanse Walker needs a driver and an operator, and that’s exactly what he is. All the characters are brilliantly written, and over time, you won’t just develop a relationship with Koo, but with the rest of the crew too, through the story, listening to their experiences, and naturally, caring for them. This helps Emma realize certain things about the world, meaning you aren’t just developing relationships with the people around you, but also Emma’s character and her soul, if I can put it that way.
A World Where Nature Has Taken Control
Beast of Reincarnation is not an open-world game. Your path to the Beast is divided into, well, I could say levels, of varying complexity and scale. The first region you visit, the outskirts of Ogouchi, will be a large, semi-open-world expanse that you can explore, uncovering its secrets and the lore of the world to learn more about what is happening. And I have to say, that opening is fantastic, and possibly the best part of the game, because it practically showcases everything the title has to offer through just one single region. What becomes abundantly clear right at the start is that the game isn’t “flat”; the level design heavily relies on vertical gameplay. Now, this won’t be present in absolutely every region, but in the first one and a few others, the game actively rewards verticality and players who simply want to explore every nook and cranny to find hidden secrets across the levels.
And that is a great thing, because in this game, if you wander off somewhere, you are guaranteed to find something useful. Whether it’s raw materials for upgrading the Cleanse Walker, crafting components for your weapons, currency for weapon upgrades, or simply knowledge that unlocks the next upgrade for your arsenal. Game Freak has crafted a world that is genuinely worth exploring, as you can find something literally everywhere. However, I must note that unlike similar games, the story here relies heavily on oral storytelling; it isn’t entirely hidden behind text logs and the like. I’m not saying that’s universally true, of course, you will be able to find notes and left-behind diaries from the people who once lived here, but here, the story is mainly “told” through the experiences you listen to and the things you learn from others. And that focus on the narrative is quite strong in this title.
The second type of map in the game can be quite linear, with a clear beginning and end. When I saw the first level of this type, I figured it was definitely due to the classic developer fatigue during the creation of a game, especially one as ambitious as Beast of Reincarnation. But even those smaller levels are smaller for a reason, and they have a nice justification for why they take the “start at point A and get to point B to clear the region” approach. This creativity shines through on both the smaller and larger levels, but there is one region I simply have to praise: the second region of the game, which is masterfully crafted. At first glance, it will trick players into thinking it’s the first level with a clear, straightforward path, but you’ll quickly realize that the level design here is highly complex and the most vertical of all the regions you will visit in the game. It is simply fantastic.
And exactly because of that, every region you visit, every level, has its own beauty, its function in the game, and an explanation for why it is the way it is. Their design is often highly striking and beautifully executed. You’ll see the remnants of human civilization, residential parts of cities that have fallen under nature’s siege, industrial zones that are now unrecognizable where animals and evil Golems have taken control. You’ll wander city outskirts that still retain the beauty of untouched nature, but now with danger lurking around every corner.
On top of all that, there is a visible transition in the world as you approach a Nushi; or rather, the corruption of nature grows stronger the closer you get. As you roam the regions, days pass, meaning there is a day and night cycle, and when the sun sets, nature goes completely crazy. Roots start growing wildly, and infected animals begin to awaken. This effect of an awakened, evil nature is brilliantly executed in some regions, though I didn’t see it in absolutely every part of the game. I assume that’s because not all levels are massive, wide, sprawling, and vertical, so the time you spend in them can vary greatly.
Additionally, there is something akin to a grappling hook, which will serve as your main tool during your travels and exploration of this world. Since Emma is already infected by nature, let’s say nature is part of her DNA, she can use her hair, transforming it into vines to reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible to her. All these mechanics heavily encourage players and push them to explore this world as much as possible, not just horizontally, but vertically too.
(Game) Freak Gameplay With No Restraints
I’ve already mentioned that Beast of Reincarnation is an action-adventure, and I wouldn’t call it a Souls-like title, even though many expect to see that in its description. This is a game that is challenging, but not overly difficult; it constantly tests you, but not as brutally as a true Souls-like. The enemies here are indeed brutal, and just a few moments of carelessness can force you to reload your last save. But countering that is the fact that you don’t lose anything upon death, and there are autosaves here and there, so even if you haven’t manually saved at one of the camps you discover, the game ensures you won’t lose much progress. That is a breath of fresh air and certainly something that will encourage many players to embark on this beautiful adventure.
As for the gameplay itself, everyone expects Sekiro with a female protagonist and a dog by her side, and I have to admit there is some truth to that. The game leans heavily on several mechanics primarily known from that aforementioned title. During combat, learning to parry is essential, as it’s the only surefire way to survive in this world. But this parry system isn’t as punishing as in Sekiro; the window between the enemy’s attack and your parry input is quite “wide.” Timing is important, but it’s not as tight as in Sekiro or other similar games. That is definitely one of the things that will encourage even players who have steered clear of games relying exclusively on this mechanic. Of course, I’m talking about the Normal difficulty here; you can also choose Hard or Story mode, with Hard naturally being a bit more difficult and featuring slightly stricter timing.
However, we all know what made Sekiro shine: that beautiful dance between you and the enemy during every encounter. That exists here too, though I have to admit it isn’t as “polished” as in Sekiro. On the other hand, this isn’t Sekiro 2, but a totally different game with a different focal point. There are moments when you will truly dance with enemies, especially the tougher ones determined to cripple you as quickly as possible. When everything clicks, particularly the parry system, it all looks incredibly gorgeous and simply stunning. Add to that the fact that every heavy and special attack Emma performs causes flowers to bloom around her, and the combat scenes can look genuinely, profoundly beautiful in those moments. Sparks fly through the air all around you with every successful parry, while beneath your feet, flowers sprout from the earth as a final farewell to a defeated foe.
The system is simple. Every successful parry fills the enemy’s stagger meter, and once it’s full, you can execute a Lethal Blow that outright kills weaker foes. For the stronger ones, unless you have upgraded skills, it will only shave off half their health. Besides that, there is, of course, a dodge, which will be an absolute lifesaver in certain moments, especially when you see an enemy winding up an unblockable “red” attack.
But Emma isn’t the only important factor in combat; there’s also Koo, your faithful companion throughout the game. Through her strikes and defense, Emma fills up FP points that Koo can then utilize. That’s when Koo steps in. By pressing Y on Xbox or Triangle on PlayStation, a side menu pops up containing all the special moves you’ve unlocked for Koo. Snaring enemies in vines to immobilize them, hurling lightning bolts, or sprouting stalks beneath foes that you can use to launch yourself into the air and perform a plunging skull-breaker attack. You will have a massive array of possibilities and attacks to unlock for Koo, all of which will come in handy at any given moment. Best of all, using these attacks unlocks further moves for Emma, making her arsenal more complex and visually and acrobatically stunning. Is Koo an homage to Pokémon? Yes, definitely. It’s Game Freak’s signature stamp that didn’t skip this title either, but it’s so perfectly woven into the entire gameplay loop that it all feels completely natural and wonderful.
There is another element to this game: stealth. I have to admit it is present, but it depends on far more variables than in other games. Most notably, it depends on what armor Emma is wearing and how visible she is in her environment, as well as, of course, the layout of the area where you need or want to be quiet. But even if there isn’t anything for Emma to hide behind, you always have that element of verticality, which allows you to take out at least one strong enemy and make the ensuing fight much easier. Or, naturally, you can use ranged weapons, two of which you will have at your disposal during your playthrough.
Before I wrap up this section, I have to say that Beast of Reincarnation might not be the next Sekiro, but the combat is engaging, deep, and visually spectacular. Not once did I feel bored by its implementation in this title, and when I finished the game, I immediately wanted to keep playing purely because of the mechanics it brings to the table.
Emma and Koo’s Progression Through a Ruined World and Your Home, the Cleanse Walker
At the beginning, Emma will have a few basic attacks at her disposal, but as time progresses, you will unlock several types of skill points essential for your development and journey through this world. With each level up, you can upgrade attributes. Every level grants one point for Emma and one for Koo. Furthermore, fighting will unlock points used specifically for unlocking and upgrading attacks. After every successful battle against a Nushi, you will unlock its power, granting you access to new moves that will encourage you to experiment during combat.
Every new attack you unlock will be a combination of several actions you can execute mid-fight. For instance, a few standard attacks, a jump into the air, two more standard hits, and then a series of specials activated with X (Xbox) or Square (PlayStation). That’s when you’ll witness a visual spectacle as Emma channels nature through her powers to obliterate everything in her immediate vicinity. Koo will also receive new attacks, though his moves focus on different utilities. Area of Effect (AoE) strikes if you need to incapacitate multiple enemies at once, or concentrated attacks if you need to beat down a single target. All of Koo’s attacks deal some form of elemental damage, and depending on who you are fighting, certain elements will be far more effective than others.
While adventuring, Emma will find other weapons that also deal various types of elemental damage to enemies. There is also a variety of armor that provides higher defense and resistance to the elements of this world. And here I arrive at the first thing I didn’t like: changing armor doesn’t alter Emma’s visual appearance in the slightest. Conversely, every new sword in her hands naturally looks different. I can understand the reasoning behind this, because what Emma wears is heavily tied to the game’s story and everything happening within it. Her outfit is part of her identity, but I think Game Freak could have found at least some way to highlight different armor sets without compromising the integrity of Emma’s character.
Emma will also be able to upgrade her healing items, which replenish only when you rest at camps, just like in other games with Souls-like elements. You can increase the maximum number of charges by finding Dragon Veins out in the world. Finding your first one grants you one extra healing item, and you gain an additional charge for every ten gathered after that.
Then, of course, there is the Cleanse Walker. I already mentioned that you can collect materials and upgrade certain facilities within it. It serves as your mobile base between missions, a place where you’ll rest, chat with other characters, and prepare for your next outing. But additionally, you can use it to cultivate various plants (provided you find their seeds out in the world first) and even raise colorful little chickens. All of this ties into the cooking system, which Kagura is in charge of. You will discover or buy recipes, and eating meals provides specific stat boosts before a mission: extra health, higher defense, increased damage output, enhanced elemental resistances, and so on.
Minor Issues and Things That Might Bother Some Players
I believe a few things that persist throughout a Beast of Reincarnation playthrough will bother some players. The first is definitely the lack of enemy variety, especially considering a first playthrough takes around 30 hours. It’s not that there are no enemies, but as I said, they don’t differ all that much as you move from level to level, which can certainly be considered a flaw. Some differences are so subtle you might only notice them mid-fight, or you honestly might miss them completely.
The second issue is that the game spoils you early on with incredibly good, complex level design, and then that somewhat fizzles out. Not because the creativity ran dry, but because the story and in-game events dictate it. Not every level can be as intricately woven as the early ones, because some events in this game are highly time-sensitive, which naturally translates to how the levels are laid out and paced.
The third thing, which isn’t necessarily bad, is that the game simply isn’t as difficult as some will expect. There are times when bosses telegraph their moves from a mile away. On the flip side, during the second phase of boss fights (yes, there are second phases), their attacks in some encounters don’t change all that much from the first phase, aside from increased aggression and tighter dodge/parry windows.
This Isn’t Sekiro 2, and it should stay that Way
I know many will expect to get the exact same thrill they felt when playing Sekiro, mostly due to the mechanics highlighted in the trailers so far. But I have to reiterate that this isn’t just Sekiro with a female protagonist and a dog; it is its own game, with its own ideas and its own quirks. And I have to admit I am quite happy about that. Beast of Reincarnation is a game that places an equal focus on combat mechanics and storytelling, which is a rarity for this genre nowadays. The narrative here is wonderful, and it’s only when you finish it and see the whole picture that you will get goosebumps and almost certainly get a bit emotional. Not just at the very end, but quite frequently throughout your playthrough.
Because even though Emma lacks emotions in this title, that doesn’t mean you do. Some seemingly banal moments will hit you right in the feels during your run, and I am incredibly grateful for that. Even more so if you jump into the New Game+ mode that unlocks after you beat it, the events of the opening sequence will have a completely different impact on you compared to your first time playing. I think Game Freak nailed this perfectly, and it feels like that was exactly their intention when developing this brilliant game.
We would like to thank Fictions for providing us with a copy of the game for review purposes.
Beast of Reincarnation (PlayStation 5)
Because of all this, the game clicked with me incredibly well. Every role, every piece of voice acting, the melancholic soundtrack that follows your every footstep—everything in this title is expertly combined and served up to the player as one phenomenal package. I realize this game won't be for everyone, but those who decide to play it without preconceptions of what they thought it would be will, I believe, be just as thrilled with it as I am. And they will likely want to dive straight into a new playthrough, just like I did. Beast of Reincarnation is proof that no matter how long a studio has been locked into a single franchise on a single platform, there is massive creativity and talent behind them, just waiting to burst out somehow. For Game Freak, that outlet is this title, and I hope it is just the beautiful beginning of showcasing everything this talented team is capable of.
