Beast of Reincarnation Reviews
Beast of Reincarnation is one of the most enjoyable action games to come out this year. It’s a fun but challenging JRPG that takes you on an adventure through gorgeous vistas for a solid 20-25 hours. It struggles a bit with overstaying its welcome in some sections, but the journey is ultimately very satisfying. Game Freak has put on an impressive showing with this one, and I’m now excited to see what other projects they might have in store for us next.
Its combination of atmosphere and discovery, even at the expense of a little jank, ultimately gives Beast of Reincarnation a distinct experience that more polished games lack. There is plenty of room for refinement, but Game Freak has nevertheless delivered a solid action RPG.
Beast of Reincarnation is is Game Freak's first real foray outside their comfort zone, and despite some missteps where pacing is concerned, it shows massive potential.
Beast of Reincarnation is GAME FREAK's latest endeavor, showing the studio is more than capable of moving beyond the creature-collecting genre. With an excellent story and gameplay systems that work cohesively, it stands as another highlight of 2026.
Game Freak have smartly embraced their strengths working on the Pokemon franchise for over 30 years. Beast of Reincarnation combines some of the best features of souls-likes with some of the best features of Pokemon creating a refreshing genre fusion. Beast of Reincarnation might look like just another Action-RPG with bonfires and parries, but between the Pokemon inspired combat with a trusty companion at your side that gives the real time combat a turn based feel, the blighted traversal, the hauntingly beautiful post apocalyptic world, as well as many other souls-like staples, Beast of Reincarnation is a must play for any fan of the genre.
Beast of Reincarnation was one of the biggest surprises I have experienced in recent years. Game Freak has delivered something completely different from what most players expect from the studio, demonstrating an ambition that few imagined they would see outside of Pokémon. The relationship between Emma and Ko is the game's greatest strength. Ko is far more than a gameplay mechanic, playing an essential role in combat, progression, and the narrative itself. It is rare to find a duo this well integrated, where one character influences both how you play and how you experience the journey. The combat system is equally rewarding once you understand its philosophy. Its emphasis on parrying, the strategic use of Ko's abilities, and the progression built around the Nushi's powers create a satisfying learning curve that rewards mastery rather than simple stat growth. There are still areas that keep the game from reaching perfection. PC optimization needs improvement, the Nushi encounters could offer greater variety, the skill tree could communicate its upgrades more clearly, and some invisible boundaries reduce the sense of freedom during exploration. Even so, Beast of Reincarnation stands out because of the strong identity it builds throughout the campaign. Its combination of precise combat, vertical exploration, memorable protagonists, and a richly detailed world allows it to stand out in an extremely competitive genre. Emma and Ko's journey is one of the most memorable gaming experiences I have had in 2026 and easily ranks among the year's most ambitious and surprising releases.
Game Freak has crafted a very good action, role-playing game in Beast of Reincarnation, and minor gameplay quirks and a so-so story don't detract from the fun.
Beast of Reincarnation isn't a bad game. In fact, thanks to its combat system and some aesthetic elements, I'd say it's good. But it's not a great game. Its best ideas are wasted, its world is very derivative, its narrative has terrible pacing, and it can eventually become repetitive. I'm sure many players will love Emma's relationship with Kuu and will get a lot of enjoyment out of their encounters with golems and creatures, but we've seen all of this before, and better.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
However, the game's core strength lies in its spectacular combat, which becomes increasingly multifaceted and impressive as the game progresses, thanks to numerous active and passive skills.
Review in German | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation proves that Game Freak's talent extends far beyond their usual franchise, delivering a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant action-adventure. With its engaging parry-driven combat and the beautifully crafted bond between Emma and Koo, it is a phenomenal package that will make you think about your experience long after finishing the game.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation es un sólido juego de acción en tercera persona que combina la influencia de Sekiro, Nier y Pokémon en un solo paquete que se deslumbra por su diseño de arte y se queda un poco rezagado en un límite técnico que es difícil de superar.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation is proof of what talented studios can achieve when they're no longer constrained by the demands of large corporations and are free to create something truly their own. There's a world of difference between simply delivering an assigned project and being given the freedom to spread your wings. This game is a perfect example of the latter, and we can only hope more development teams get the chance to do the same.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
While playing Beast of Reincarnation, you can tell that a lot of care went into its development and that the game has potential. However, its extreme repetitiveness in several areas, combined with a narrative that is not particularly engaging, ends up hurting its lengthy 30-hour campaign. This issue could have been avoided if the game were shorter or offered more variety of enemies and areas.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation, despite some of its flaws, is a well-designed, beautiful, and engaging action RPG with several unique, well-executed elements. It succeeds in almost everything that it set out to do and, if done well, could be a great new series for the developer.
The combat in Beast of Reicarnation ist spectacular and shows ever more facets over time. It's such a joy I can look past most of it's shortcomings.
Review in German | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation feels like a game with two sides to it. On the one hand, you’re treated to an enjoyable action RPG with a mysterious story, challenging combat, a surprisingly extensive progression system and excellent teamwork between Emma and Koo. What’s more, it isn’t just another Souls-like clone, but fortunately carves out its own path. On the other hand, the technical quality is simply appalling. The massive frame drops, screen tearing, pop-ins, poor textures and the general lack of polish meant I could never fully immerse myself in the adventure. I still maintain that there’s a good game hidden beneath all this. It’s just constantly undermined by technical execution that simply doesn’t meet what you’d expect in 2026 – and certainly not on a PlayStation 5 Pro. Hopefully, Beast of Reincarnation will receive the updates it deserves. Today, unfortunately, I can only conclude that this beast should have stayed in its cage for a long while longer.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Beast of Reincarnation is a serviceable action RPG, with a ton of depth in its abilities and skill trees. Its post-apocalyptic narrative plays a few too many familiar notes, and it's all delivered in a tone that would make it perfect for falling asleep to. I wasn't completely uninterested in Emma and Koo's adventures and relationships, but the sleepy tone and predictable story beats all make for a fine, if forgettable experience.
Beast of Reincarnation just has too many problems to recommend it right now. Beyond the game’s stellar graphics and combat, its exploration leaves much to be desired, and it suffers even more from a weak story and a weaker cast of characters.
Beast of Reincarnation is a good action RPG with some excellent ideas, but it needed a more focused collection of systems and a stronger final act to become the exceptional experience it occasionally threatens to be.
Beast of Reincarnation shows Game Freak’s potential at being something other than the people behind Pokémon. However, some bad habits it’s carried over are on display here, with uneven storytelling and nonsensical character arcs. However, combat and the bond between Emma and Koo help this game mostly realize its potential.