Beast of Reincarnation's opening chapter, Seedling, introduces players to the Oguchi Buffer Zone, a crucial area for learning the game's combat mechanics and the beginnings of Emma's journey with Koo. This walkthrough will guide you through the main objectives of Chapter 1, while also highlighting opportunities for exploration and resource gathering.
Combat Tutorial and Village Investigation
The game begins with an extended combat tutorial, providing ample opportunity to practice parrying and experiment with Emma and Koo's abilities. Koo's point meter is maxed out during this section, allowing unrestricted use of his skills. Following the tutorial, players must investigate the nearby village. Along the path, players will encounter corrupted Golems. The primary objective in the village is to find a ruined house containing a Golem who offers information about the local Nushi, Rangifer.
Campsites
Throughout the Oguchi Buffer Zone, players will find Campsites. Unlocking these by simply sitting down is essential for a smoother journey. Campsites serve multiple purposes: restoring health through resting, manual game saving, acting as respawn and fast travel points, leveling up Emma and Koo's attributes, unlocking new skills, enhancing equipment, and cooking collected resources. Maintaining the Hunger meter by resting at a Campsite or consuming cooked items will passively restore health.
Navigating the Blighted Forest
After investigating the village, the next step involves finding the subcity entrance. This requires defeating a bear, which serves as a parrying tutorial, and then proceeding towards a bridge guarded by a shield-wielding Golem. Koo's Higanbana: Bloom attack is effective for breaking shields. Crossing the bridge using Emma's hair and unlocking the adjacent Campsite marks the transition into the blighted forest, which dynamically appears as trees sprout from the ground.
Defeating Forest Malefacts
In the blighted forest, players will encounter deer and bear enemies. Shortly after, a sequence atop a tower introduces the Death from Above attack, useful for dealing significant damage to the Elite bear among three Malefacts. Prioritizing the Elite enemy simplifies the remaining fight. After clearing these enemies, Emma can use her lift ability to ascend a cliff face and continue towards the subcity entrance, which is opened by a lever.
Subcity Exploration and Door Golem
Upon entering the subcity, players should rest at the Campsite. The path to the foreman involves defeating six Golems, offering chances to practice stealth attacks and Koo's pounce abilities. Koo's detection skills are vital for avoiding surprise attacks. Some Golems are protected by shields, necessitating the use of Koo's Higanbana: Bloom. A strongbox on the second floor of a small building contains valuable items.
The subsequent challenge is the Door Golem, an Elite enemy requiring careful engagement. Koo's Higanbana: Roots can bind the Golem, creating openings for attacks. Parrying its wide-reaching sword attacks is crucial for staggering it. Maintaining distance and exploiting openings after its lunging attacks is a recommended strategy. Defeating the Door Golem grants the Zangetsu Bow and a tutorial on its use.
Preparing for Rangifer
Leaving the subcity and watching a cutscene reveals Rangifer's proximity. Players must reach its lair in the middle of a tower located in a nearby gully, using Emma's hair traversal. Opening a strongbox reveals Chain Mail, and resting at the Campsite before the imminent boss battle with the Level 9 Rangifer is highly advised. A dedicated boss strategy guide is available for this encounter.
Upon defeating Rangifer, players receive the Rangiferine Memories and unlock the Nushi Skill: Sakura Storm. Returning to the Cleanse Walker allows for preparations such as equipment enhancement and attribute leveling. Increasing rapport with Koo by petting and showering him expands available skill slots.
Flashback and Subcity 03
A flashback sequence involves hunting Pale Malefacts in the woods, including defeating corrupted Golems and practicing perfect dodges against a bear. After the flashback, players must travel to Subcity 03. Upon arrival, interacting with the Rusted Golem yields healing items, and it's recommended to assign the Recovery Tonic (S) to Koo's items. Entering Subcity 03 reveals a dying Golem who provides the Red Key and explains the need for the Blue and Yellow Keys. The Cirrus Sword is also acquired, offering a temporary damage boost.
Locating the Keys
The Blue Key is located behind the Subcity 03 entrance, accessible via a metal tower north of the entrance. Emma's hair traversal is used to reach the platform containing the key. The Yellow Key is found in the north-eastern corner of the map, within a cave past rice fields. This journey may involve traversing cliffs with Emma's lift ability and defeating grenade-throwing Golems. Inside the cave, an Elite bear must be defeated, and players should be mindful of the confined space and environmental hazards like torches. The cave also contains the Yellow Key and items like a Fertilized Egg and recipes.
Flashback: Ogouchi Colony
Another flashback takes players to the Ogouchi Colony. After speaking with the Apothecary and Kagura, players re-enter the forest, fighting Golems and navigating obstacles. A segment involves a chase sequence within the colony, followed by a fight against the Level 16 Nue Malefact.
Final Preparations and Rangifer's Lair
Back in the Cleanse Walker, tutorials on cooking and increasing Kagura's rapport are presented. Players can set up their Seedling and Fertilized Egg, allocate skill points, and enhance equipment. Before departing for Rangifer's lair, a merchant in Subway 03 may offer useful items like Manual: Torch, Manual: Acid Arrows, and Manual: Fire Bolts, along with Spirit Stones. Climbing out of the tunnel leads to Rangifer's lair for the final confrontation of Chapter 1.
Defeating Rangifer unlocks the Sakura: Javelin Bloom Art and Blade Art: Sakura Blade Art/Finisher. Emma then returns to the Cleanse Walker, concluding Chapter 1 and preparing for Chapter 2, Creeping Tendrils, in the Ancient Civilization Zone.