TOKYO: Anyone who automatically thinks of cute pocket monsters when they hear the name Game Freak will be surprised by Beast of Reincarnation.
The studio, known for the mainline Pokémon series, has taken players somewhere entirely different this time.
That somewhere is a dark, post-apocalyptic Japan set in the year 4026 – and the result is the studio's most unusual project to date. It is also the first Game Freak title to appear on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The plot: Long ago, a plague swept across the land, infecting plants, animals and humans and transforming them into giant mutants bent on destroying humanity. These infected creatures are called Malefacts in the game.
Emma, the protagonist, is herself infected, but fights against the plague rather than succumbing to it. At her side is Kuu, a wolf who is also a Malefact.
Stripping god-like mutants of their powers
After the first major battle in a colony, the goal is set out clearly by the administrator – a figure referred to as president: travel from region to region and defeat the god-like mutants known as Nushi that reside there, absorbing their powers in the process. After that, the capital must be freed from the Beast of Reincarnation – hence the game's title.
The game throws players into the action without much preamble. To get to grips with the game mechanics, it is worth reading through the extensive tutorials carefully before pressing on. At times, however, the game presents tutorials for mechanics that players have already been using for three hours. There is room for improvement here.
The combat system is the game's greatest strength and is enormous fun. Emma wields a sword as her primary weapon, alongside ranged weapons. Kuu commands various skills known as Blossom Arts, which can be triggered on command – to stagger enemies, set them on fire or heal Emma.
Kuu's Blossom Arts consume Blossom Points, however, and these are only replenished when Emma parries enemy attacks with her sword. To allow time to select the right Blossom Art for the situation, time in combat can be slowed dramatically.
Tactical depth combined with real-time action
All in all, it is a system that combines tactical depth with real-time action. Game Freak has executed the finishing moves with a visible flair for spectacle: enemies are occasionally sliced cleanly in two.
Anyone who has ever wanted to see Princess Mononoke and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice combined will find exactly that here. The parrying mechanic in particular, as the central defensive tool, is strongly reminiscent of the classics from Japanese developer FromSoftware.
The enemies are cleverly designed and the battles are at times demanding. Those who want to focus on the story can reduce the game's difficulty.
Scattered across the world are camps that can be discovered and activated. They serve as fast-travel points – for healing, learning new skills, upgrading weapons or preparing provisions. And then there is the so-called Bauera, a kind of mobile home complete with workbench, bed, kitchen and shower.
The Bauera carries the protagonists closer to the capital step by step and serves as a refuge after gruelling battles, as well as a base from which to advance the gripping story.
Over time, both Emma's and Kuu's skills can be expanded and equipment upgraded. A small but welcome addition is that both Emma and Kuu have their own hunger stats. When hunger is satisfied, the duo's health slowly regenerates while exploring the world.
On the journey, Kuu also helps track down chests and other loot, though his hints are not always clear. Players who are not paying close attention may miss what the wolf has just discovered.
A mysterious world with an atmospheric soundtrack
Well-crafted cutscenes gradually reveal more about Emma, Kuu and the other characters, as well as their shared backstory. This becomes particularly apparent upon reaching the Undertown: light and atmosphere shift noticeably into darker territory, creating an unsettling mood, and the music intensifies perceptibly. There is no doubt: things are getting serious.
On the subject of music, the soundtrack is one of the game's strengths and is at times reminiscent of Stellar Blade – with a keen sense of atmosphere and timing.
With more than 30 hours of gameplay for the main story, Beast of Reincarnation is not a quick, throwaway experience but a game that takes its time to develop its world and characters.
Beast of Reincarnation shows that Game Freak has a feel for atmospheric, character-driven worlds beyond Pokémon. Gamers who enjoy action-packed combat and do not mind a generous dose of melancholy will find a promising package here – one combining a tactical combat system, a lovingly crafted world and a story that favours mystery over easy answers.
The game is voiced in English and Japanese, with subtitles and menus available in other languages.
Those who want to set out on the hunt for the Beast of Reincarnation can purchase Beast of Reincarnation for PC, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 for around €55 or US$60 (RM242) for the standard edition. – dpa
