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Beast of Reincarnation reviews praise combat but question its story
August 4, 2026·2 min read
Beast of Reincarnation reviews praise its combat and Emma’s bond with Koo, but criticise uneven storytelling, repetition and pacing.
Reviews for Beast of Reincarnation are appearing online as Game Freak’s new action RPG launches on August 4. Early scores are mixed but generally positive, with critics praising the combat and Emma’s relationship with her canine companion, Koo.
The game currently holds an average score of around 76 on OpenCritic, with 65% of listed critics recommending it. Individual ratings range from 6/10 to 9/10, showing a clear divide over how well the full experience comes together.
Combat Receives The Strongest Praise
Many reviews highlight the combat as Beast of Reincarnation’s best feature. Players control Emma in real time, using sword attacks, dodges and parries while issuing commands to Koo through a menu that slows the action.
Successful parries earn points that can be spent on Koo’s abilities. Critics found that the two characters work well together, creating fast battles that also give players time to make tactical decisions.
The game’s movement has also earned praise. Emma can use her plant-like hair to create temporary bridges, reach higher areas and attack enemies from above.
The Story Divides Reviewers
The story follows Emma and Koo through a ruined version of Japan in the year 4026. Their journey takes them across areas transformed by blight as they hunt powerful creatures known as Nushi.
Some critics enjoyed the central mystery and the bond between the two main characters. Others criticised the slow dialogue, long cutscenes and unclear storytelling, with several reviews arguing that the game takes too long to explain important parts of its world.
Familiar Ideas Hold The Game Back
Several reviews compare Beast of Reincarnation to games such as Sekiro, Nier and Monster Hunter. Critics generally agree that Game Freak has created a striking setting, but some believe the game follows its inspirations too closely.
Other complaints include repetitive enemies, predictable bosses and areas that feel empty. Technical performance appears more stable, although reviewers have noted uneven graphics and some minor animation problems.
Steam Players Are Less Positive
Early Steam feedback is more divided than the critic reviews. The game currently has a Mixed rating, with 53% of more than 500 verified purchaser reviews marked as positive.
Beast of Reincarnation is available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is also included with Xbox Game Pass and costs $59.99 when purchased separately.
Beast of Reincarnation
In post-apocalyptic Japan, humanity’s last hope may rest with Emma and her loyal canine companion, Koo. Explore what it means to be human in Beast of Reincarnation, an expansive one-person, one-dog action RPG built around demanding, technical combat. What awaits at journey’s end?
Released
August 4, 2026
Developer
Game Freak
Publisher
Fictions
Systems
Tagged In
Beast of ReincarnationGame FreakKoo
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