Beast of Reincarnation's greatest strength lies in its combat system, a blend of Sekiro- and Stellar Blade-inspired swordplay that features parrying, dodging, and stagger mechanics, augmented by the QTE elemental abilities of your wolf companion, Koo. This system is satisfying and offers considerable depth for experimentation. Players can craft diverse builds, focusing on elements like ranged attacks, stealth, fire, or poison, each supported by an expansive skill tree that continues to grow even after the main story concludes. Generous attribute points allow for character customization, though the skill points earned to power up specific abilities are where the true build diversity emerges.
Despite the engaging combat, the game falters in its presentation and narrative. The protagonist, Emma, a synthetic human seeking a soul, and her companions are described as stiff and lifeless, mirroring the static and uninspired environments of post-post-apocalyptic Japan. The game funnels players through wide corridors devoid of mystery, pushing toward the next encounter without allowing the setting to evoke much intrigue. Overly long cutscenes frequently interrupt the action, delivering blunt themes of friendship, family, and the importance of having a soul with little subtlety. The story itself is characterized by predictable arcs, uninspired villains, and familiar plot points concerning Koo.
Boss fights, while initially tense, can become repetitive, with recurring enemies and formulaic stage progression where bosses often retreat to be fought again later. Enemies also share numerous animations, diminishing the uniqueness of encounters. However, the combat remains congenial throughout, and the game offers three difficulty settings. Generous HP recovery and large windows for parrying and dodging make the challenges accessible to less experienced players while still allowing seasoned players to feel powerful.
The game also includes various collectible systems that ultimately feel inconsequential. Resources gathered from chests are often redundant, and while there are mechanics for growing crops for stat-boosting meals or collecting skulls to power up the Cleanse Walker mech, these offer negligible bonuses. The mech's power-up system is capped before the halfway point of the game, and other systems like rations for a hunger mechanic and currency accumulation present no real challenge. Even the final act, with its telegraphed plot developments, offers little emotional impact.
Ultimately, Beast of Reincarnation's enjoyable combat is hampered by a lack of soul in its world-building, narrative, and overall presentation. While the prospect of New Game+ might entice some players to return, their motivation will likely stem from the combat mechanics themselves rather than any other aspect of the experience. The game was reviewed on PC and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.