Game Freak's action-RPG Beast of Reincarnation draws inspiration from titles across genres like Dark Souls and Bayonetta while introducing its own mechanics. After an intro sequence, the game places heroine Emma five months into her past within a wide open area.

Quick Facts

  • Release Date: August 4, 2026
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, cloud, and Xbox Play Anywhere
  • Availability: Available day one on Game Pass Ultimate
  • Developer: Game Freak

Exploration and Koo's Abilities

Emma is accompanied by Koo, a giant white dog who aids in exploration. As you travel open areas, Koo senses nearby points of interest—such as rest camps, hidden treasures, and food for your hunger gauge—and marks them on your map. You can also send Koo ahead outside of combat by holding LT and pressing RS while targeting an enemy, letting him engage independently using his Bloom Arts.

Stealth and Combat Mechanics

Enemies in the open areas include robotic Golems and Blight-infested wildlife that can occasionally fight each other. Because taking single hits can be punishing, stealth is useful for underpowered early levels. Walking at full speed attracts attention, but holding B enters a crouched stealth position, and gently tilting the stick lets Emma walk slowly for clean kills.

Combat relies on parrying to build Florescence Points (FP) needed for Koo's Bloom Arts. Pressing LB right as an attacking limb starts to swing initiates a parry. Basic attack combos tie to the right bumper and can be combined with Blade Arts activated by X, acting as separate moves or combo-finishers.

Using Emma's Hair for Traversal and Combat

Emma's vine-like hair provides vertical and horizontal range for exploration and fighting:

  • Glide: Hold A to use hair as a glide.
  • Temporary Platforms: Hold RT to extend hair as a platform to reach inaccessible locations.
  • Evasion: Use hair to ascend above foes where basic enemies cannot reach you.
  • Ranged Attacks: Fire ranged weapons while in the air to trigger built-in slow-motion.
  • Death From Above: Create hair bridges over unsuspecting enemies to launch instant-kill or high-damage plunging attacks.

Pre-Order and Digital Deluxe Editions

Players can choose from multiple purchase options:

  • Pre-Order Bundle ($59.99): Includes a Brown Shiba Skin for Koo and 30,000 Amber in-game currency.
  • Digital Deluxe Edition ($69.99): Includes Black and Brown Shiba Skins for Koo, an "Oni's Hat" for Emma, Emma's sword "Big Dipper", 100,000 Amber, and vegetable seedlings.