Beast of Reincarnation Wins on Combat but Stumbles on 10-Plus-Minute Cutscenes
Updated
Updated · Game Informer · Aug 4
Beast of Reincarnation Wins on Combat but Stumbles on 10-Plus-Minute Cutscenes
3 articles · Updated · Game Informer · Aug 4
Summary
Game Freak’s action RPG earns its strongest marks for flexible, reflex-driven combat, with Emma’s parries, dodges and Koo’s elemental abilities supporting multiple viable builds across three difficulty settings.
That strength is undercut by 10-plus-minute cutscenes, paper-thin characters and a predictable story, while the post-apocalyptic Japan setting is criticized as visually and structurally monotonous.
Boss fights start tense but lose impact through repeated encounters, shared enemy animations and a formula that has area bosses flee early before the mandatory rematch at each stage’s end.
Exploration and progression also disappoint: loot feels interchangeable, stat boosts and cooking bonuses matter little, and upgrades for the Cleanse Walker can be maxed before the halfway point.
The review lands in contrast with early player reception after launch, with the $59.99 PS5 game drawing positive user scores even as critics remain split on everything beyond its combat.