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Beast of Reincarnation Review: Hidden Gem or Total Trash?
Beast of Reincarnation Review: A Beautiful Pool With Shallow Water
What Is This Game Anyway?
Imagine if Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Final Fantasy VII Remake had a baby. That’s basically Beast of Reincarnation — a fast-paced action RPG where you play as Emma, a katana-wielding mage with amnesia (because of course she has amnesia). You team up with Koo, your magical dire wolf companion, to hunt giant diseased beasts across a gorgeous post-apocalyptic world.
Sounds amazing on paper, right? Well… it’s like an above-ground swimming pool. Looks great from the outside, but once you jump in, you realize it’s only three feet deep.
The Good Stuff (Yes, There Is Some!)
Visuals & Atmosphere
- Stunning art direction — ruined buildings reclaimed by nature look breathtaking
- Creature designs are genuinely cool, especially the massive bosses
- Music slaps — the soundtrack is legitimately great (when it’s not repeating)
Koo the Wolf — The Real MVP
Important Callout: Koo isn’t just a pet — he’s your best combat tool and the most expressive character in the game.
- Fights alongside you with customizable magical abilities
- Can be directed Final Fantasy VII Remake-style (pause time → pick ability)
- Assassinate command lets him chunk boss health bars
- Has more personality than the entire human cast combined
- Seriously, this dog carries the game
Those Rare "Hell Yeah" Moments
- Scaling a rotating cube machine filled with creepy experiments
- Over-the-top elemental combos (lightning + fire + sword = screen chaos)
- When combat clicks, it feels incredible
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Buckle Up)
Combat Gets Boring Fast
| Problem | What It Means For You |
|---|---|
| Enemies have 2-3 attacks total | You’ll parry the same telegraph 50 times per fight |
| Parry windows are huge | Zero tension — you barely need to try |
| Same robotic enemies everywhere | Sword bots, sword bots, and more sword bots |
| Abilities don’t change gameplay | Just make fights end faster, not play differently |
Exploration Is a Checklist
- Enter linear level
- Collect same 3-4 loot types
- Unlock camp site
- Fight boss (usually twice — once mid-level, once at end)
- Watch same "pass out → wake up in bed" cutscene
- Repeat for 35 hours
Important Callout: The formula never evolves. No new traversal tricks, no platforming mechanics, no exploration upgrades. Just more damage numbers.
Boss Fights — Wasted Potential
- Imposing giants that attack like confused toddlers
- Same slow attack repeated 20 times in a row
- Fight → transform → fight again with identical moveset
- Second half literally recycles earlier bosses
- That "wake up in bed" cutscene after every single one
Story: Trope Salad With Extra Cheese
- Amnesiac chosen one? ✓
- Nature vs. technology? ✓
- Force-ghost little girl? ✓
- Second dose of amnesia so she forgets even more? ✓ (yes, really)
- Weird obsession with food dialogue — characters won’t stop talking about eating
Characters: Robotic animations, lifeless eyes, long awkward silences. Flashbacks to things that happened five minutes ago. Hard to sit through.
RPG Systems Are Paper-Thin
- Katanas: New ones drop constantly, but none are better — just different status effects
- Upgrades: Barely exist, no build diversity
- Skill trees: Koo’s is great! Emma’s? Mostly "do more damage" passives
Summary: Should You Play It?
Beast of Reincarnation is a game that looks and sounds like a masterpiece but plays like a rough draft.
| Play If You… | Skip If You… |
|---|---|
| Love pretty worlds and wolf companions | Want deep, evolving combat |
| Enjoy turning off brain for 35 hours | Hate fighting the same enemy 500 times |
| Can overlook story for cool screenshots | Expect Xenoblade-level writing |
| Really want to pet a magic dog | Need mechanics that grow over time |
Bottom line: There’s a great 10-hour game buried inside this okay 35-hour game. Koo deserves better. You might too.
FAQ
Is this a Soulslike?
Sort of. It has parrying, stamina management, and bonfire-style camps. But the massive parry windows and brain-dead enemies remove almost all challenge. Think "Soulslike on easy mode with JRPG flair."
How long does it take to beat?
~35 hours for the main story. Could be 20 if you skip cutscenes (you’ll want to).
Can you pet the dog?
Yes. And you should. Frequently. He’s the best-written character.
Does the combat ever get better?
It gets faster, not deeper. You unlock flashier moves that delete enemies quicker, but you’re still parrying the same 2 attacks from the same 3 enemy types.
Is it worth full price?
Only if you’re starving for a pretty action game and have high tolerance for repetition. Wait for a sale unless Koo’s face compels you otherwise.
Final Thought: Beast of Reincarnation is a game that wants to be loved — and you will love pieces of it. But like that above-ground pool? It’s hard to stay excited once you realize your feet touch the bottom everywhere you go.
