From its initial reveal back in 1925, Beast of Reincarnation was poised to make waves. Now, after spending considerable time with the full game ahead of its August 4th release on PlayStation 5, I can confirm it lives up to the hype. Game Freak’s foray into a post-apocalyptic Japan blends mythology and machinery in a way that feels both fresh and familiar, all wrapped around a compelling narrative of “one woman and her dog saving the world.” But Beast of Reincarnation offers so much more than just a good story.
A World Scarred by Corruption
The year is 4026, and Japan is unrecognizable. The “Blight,” a mysterious cataclysm, has ravaged the land, twisting plants, animals, and even humans into grotesque parodies of their former selves. Entire forests are choked with poisonous flora, pushing humanity into scattered settlements. Looming over everything are the Nushi, colossal and terrifying beings who spread fear and destruction. The source of it all? The legendary Beast of Reincarnation, destined to resurrect every 100 years. And so, one individual is tasked with ending this cycle of doom.
Emma: Humanity’s Last Hope
Born blighted, Emma is an outcast, haunted by a forgotten past. Initially stoic and emotionally detached, she’s punished for her affliction. However, this condition also makes her invaluable: she can absorb the powers of defeated Nushi, using them to combat the ultimate threat. As players, we embark on a journey with Emma as she explores beautiful yet sinister forests, crumbling ruins, waterlogged underground bases, and mysterious habitats.
Parry or Perish
Emma is incredibly versatile, feeling light and agile thanks to the DualSense controller. She wields swift sword swipes (R1), projectile weapons with adaptive trigger resistance, a nimble dodge (Circle), and a crucial block/parry (L1). This is where Souls fans will rejoice: mastering that parry is key to survival. Early encounters with basic corrupted golems were fun and easy enough, but hacking away at R1 won’t get you far against smarter, tougher foes. My first encounter with Chapter One’s tricky boss, a colossal deer-like Nushi, was just a taste of what was to come, its vicious antler attacks demanding precise parries to open up counterattacks. Later in the game, mini-bosses and enemies with unblockable assaults required pinpoint timing.
Wielding the Power of Corruption
But Beast of Reincarnation’s combat system goes far beyond simple parrying. Antagonists can be staggered by reducing their relevant meter with multiple attacks, leaving them open to devastating finishers (R1). I also found myself sneaking up on grunts for instant kills or taking satisfying headshots with projectile weapons. The Square button unleashes Emma’s powerful Nushi Skills and Blade Arts combos.
Mastering Blight Abilities
The real game-changer is mastering Emma’s Blight abilities. Tapping R2 near highlighted jump points fires out root-like tendrils from her hair, yanking Emma to higher areas. Holding down R2 creates a temporary hair platform for walking across, and the Cross button launches Emma high into the air. Utilizing this verticality in combat wasn’t just valuable; it allowed for “death from above” assassinations with R1, leveling the playing field against multiple enemies with cones of vision, leading to rewarding victories.
And Then There’s Koo…
Genuinely, Koo is the bestest boy. This large wolf-like companion can be directed to attack enemies or utilize his powerful Bloom Arts – turn-based menu style special attacks selected with Triangle. Properly timed button presses during the short corresponding mini-game made Koo’s Bloom Arts invaluable, especially since Fluorescence Points used to unleash them are earned via successful parries. Combined with Emma’s time-slowing Entanglement Overdrive (L3 and R3), the duo quickly became a formidable force.
Koo also guides you to objectives with a visual pheromone indicator, barks when he finds something of interest, and even brings back items to Emma. While hardy and capable, Koo has his own life bar, and you can expand his skill slots by increasing Emma’s rapport through petting (creating a pleasing tremble of the DualSense controller haptics), giving him treats, and keeping him clean in Emma’s mobile base, the Cleanse Walker.
Food, Systems, and Skill Trees
There’s a surprising amount of depth hidden within Beast of Reincarnation. Multiple weapons can be found and enhanced, skill trees for both Emma and Koo unlock new abilities, different enemy types fight each other on sight, and the mysterious Violet – only visible and audible to Emma – offers intriguing narrative questions.
And that’s not even mentioning the importance of food. Emma and Koo naturally heal from wounds only if their hunger gauge isn’t empty. But food also boosts stats like HP, Attack, and Defense, making it more than just a resource check. Kagura, Emma’s surrogate little sister, cooks meals from ingredients found on the field, her culinary skills increasing with experience, leading to more expansive and beneficial dishes based on recipes you bring back. I even raised a chicken for eggs and grew crops on the Cleanse Walker to give Kagura more food options, with different seedlings having various harvest times.
A Beastly Battle Awaits
Emma and Koo’s adventure is lengthy, filled with intrigue and tender narrative beats that complement its rousing and challenging combat. So, if you’re ready for the hunt, sharpen your sword skills ahead of Beast of Reincarnation’s PS5 release on August 4 .
Source: PlayStation Blog
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