Beast of Reincarnation hands-on: parry

From its inaugural full reveal in 2025, Beast of Reincarnation has already been generating buzz. Amid a crowded field of action‑role‑playing titles, Game Freak’s venture into a post‑apocalyptic Japan fuses mythic lore with mechanized grit, all underscored by a compelling “one woman and her dog saving the world” premise.

Yet the game offers more than a fresh setting. Having delved into the complete title before its August 4 launch, I was struck by its emotionally resonant narrative, sophisticated mechanics, punishing Souls‑style combat, and perhaps the most endearing blighted canine companion imaginable.

The year 4026 in Japan is a landscape unrecognizable to us. Flora, fauna, and humanity alike have been ravaged by a mysterious cataclysm known as the Blight. Poisonous Blight forests now dominate the terrain, forcing the surviving human enclaves to scatter. At the heart of the mutation are the Nushi—massive, fear‑some entities that sow terror wherever they tread. Legends say the Beast of Reincarnation, which reemerges every century, is the root of this calamity, and a lone individual has been chosen to break the cycle.

Emma, born under the Blight, is an outcast bereft of memories. Initially stoic and almost emotionless, she is ostracized by her community for her affliction. Yet her condition grants her a unique advantage: she can siphon the powers of defeated Nushi, aiming to harness that strength to vanquish the Beast. As the story unfolds, the reality proves more complex, but for players, Emma provides an ideal lens through which to traverse haunting forests, crumbling ruins, subterranean bases, and enigmatic habitats.

Early encounters with primitive beasts and corrupted golems—humans who escaped the Blight by imprisoning their souls in machinery—felt approachable, yet R1’s rapid strikes proved insufficient against the game’s increasingly intelligent and formidable adversaries. My first showdown with the colossal deer‑like Nishi in Chapter One hinted at the escalating challenge: its relentless antler assaults demanded precise parries to expose a vulnerable window for counterattacks. Subsequent mini‑bosses and foes with intricate, unblockable onslaughts required pinpoint timing to execute effective parries and counters.

The combat system’s depth extends beyond basic mechanics. Enemies can be staggered by depleting their specific meter through successive hits, setting them up for a finishing blow with R1. I also found instant takedowns possible by stealthily approaching grunts or delivering satisfying headshots with projectiles. The Square button unleashes Emma’s devastating Nushi Skills and Blade Arts combos, adding another layer of tactical choice.

Mastering Emma’s Blight abilities truly transforms the gameplay experience. Pressing R2 at highlighted jump points launches root‑like tendrils from her hair, propelling her to higher platforms. Holding R2 creates a temporary hair bridge that Emma can traverse, while the Cross button catapults her skyward, using her locks as a vertical advantage. This aerial strategy not only offers a powerful distancing tool but also enables a “death from above” assassination with R1, leveling the playing field against enemies with wide vision cones. I leveraged this tactic to secure a decisive victory over a formidable pike‑wielding golem and his minions, showcasing the system’s strategic depth.

In the world of Beast of Reincarnation, the imposing wolf‑like companion Koo proves to be an indispensable ally. Players can command him to charge enemies or unleash his signature Bloom Arts—a menu‑driven, turn‑based special attack activated with the Triangle button. Timing the brief mini‑game that accompanies each Bloom Arts move is crucial; when executed correctly, the move becomes a game‑changer, especially since the Fluorescence Points required to trigger these attacks are earned through successful parries.

When Koo’s Bloom Arts are paired with Emma’s time‑slowing Entanglement Overdrive—triggered by pressing L3 and R3 simultaneously—the pair transforms into a powerful offensive duo, capable of turning the tide of battle with coordinated precision.

Beyond combat, Koo assists by marking objectives with a visual pheromone trail, vocalizing discoveries, and retrieving items for Emma. Though he has his own health bar, Koo is resilient, and players can expand his skill slots by fostering a stronger bond—petting him, rewarding him with treats, and maintaining his cleanliness at the Cleanse Walker’s mobile shower.

The game’s depth extends further: multiple weapons are available for discovery and enhancement, and both Emma and Koo possess skill trees that unlock new abilities as the story progresses. Enemy encounters become more dynamic as different foes engage each other on sight, adding an extra layer of excitement to combat. The enigmatic Violet, visible and audible only to Emma, adds a layer of mystery that deepens the narrative intrigue.

Food plays a pivotal role, too. Both Emma and Koo naturally heal only when their hunger gauges are topped, and nourishment provides tangible boosts to stats such as HP, Attack, and Defense. Emma’s surrogate sister Kagura can cook meals from field‑harvested ingredients, and her culinary prowess grows with repeated use, yielding increasingly potent dishes. Players can even raise chickens for eggs or cultivate crops on the Cleanse Walker, expanding the variety of meals Kagura can prepare and further enhancing the characters’ performance.

Emma and Koo embark on an epic journey, rich with intrigue and heartfelt storytelling that complements the game’s intense and demanding battles.

If you’re ready to dive into the hunt, now is the time to hone your swordplay in anticipation of Beast of Reincarnation’s PS5 launch on August 4.