Game Freak has stepped outside its traditional creature-collecting roots with Beast of Reincarnation, a post-apocalyptic action RPG. According to a recent review by Dexerto, the title signals a departure from the studio's familiar work, focusing instead on brutal, parry-heavy combat and a companion-based gameplay loop.
Gameplay and Combat Findings
The review characterizes Beast of Reincarnation as a Soulslike experience where survival depends on precise timing. A core mechanic involves the player's canine companion, Koo, who assists in battle. Players can trigger elemental attacks from Koo, such as shield-breaking branches or acid-filled bombs, which the review notes can be further enhanced through quick-fire button prompts.
Combat is described as having a specific flow: players must land successful parries to earn the points required to activate Koo’s abilities. While the review notes that the parry window is more forgiving than those found in FromSoftware’s titles, it warns that the game remains challenging, particularly on the Hard difficulty setting.
Player-Fit and Narrative Context
The review describes the narrative as a 30-hour experience set in a version of Japan plagued by a mysterious blight. While the critic found the overall story "nothing to write home about," they highlighted several twists that sustained interest throughout the playthrough. The companion character, Koo, was identified as a standout element of the experience.
For players considering the title, the consensus suggests that while the game does not reach the "lofty heights" of the genre's most prominent titles, it serves as a successful test of Game Freak's ability to branch into new action-oriented territory.