Game Freak is already planning a series of post-launch improvements to Beast of Reincarnation after its new action-RPG received mixed reviews from critics and players. Beast of Reincarnation is Game Freak’s latest game and takes inspiration from the Soulslike genre.
Set in a post-apocalyptic Japan in the year 4026, Beast of Reincarnation follows Emma, a social outcast capable of manipulating a corrupting force known as the Blight, and her canine companion, Koo. The two must travel throughout the Blight-infested world and defeat powerful creatures called Nushi and absorb their abilities before confronting the Beast of Reincarnation. Combat is almost like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in that it combines swordplay, parries, ranged attacks, and plant-based powers with commands players can issue to Koo, leading Game Freak to describe the game as a “one-person, one-dog RPG.” Launch-day reviews for Beast of Reincarnation have been mostly mixed, with many citing technical issues and poor narrative as some of the game’s weaker points.
Game Freak Takes Beast of Reincarnation Feedback to Heart
In a statement shared on Twitter, Beast of Reincarnation developer Game Freak thanked players and said it was taking their feedback “to heart.” The game’s first planned patch includes camera adjustments, larger text, changes intended to improve the story’s pacing, and unspecified bug fixes. Game Freak also plans to make the 60 FPS Performance mode the default option on consoles instead of Cinematic mode, potentially providing a smoother initial experience for players who do not immediately adjust their graphics settings. However, the studio does warn that the patch’s contents remain subject to change and that the narrative pacing will undergo further adjustments beyond this first update.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
These changes follow a very divided critical reception to Beast of Reincarnation throughout its launch window. Following its August 4 release, Beast of Reincarnation holds an average Metacritic score of 72 on PC and 73 on PS5, while its Steam rating is currently classified as “Mixed” with 52% of 1,750 user reviews being positive at the time of reporting. Some critics have praised the combination of real-time and command-based combat, with Vice awarding the game a 9.5 and DualShockers giving it an 8, stating that it helps push Game Freak out of Pokemon’s shadow. Others were substantially less enthusiastic, as VGC, Eurogamer, and Dexerto each awarded it a 6, while criticizing elements such as the story and enemy variety.
Beast of Reincarnation‘s camera issues, text readability, technical bugs, and graphics settings are relatively straightforward targets for an early patch, but the promised narrative changes could prove more complicated. Reviews have disagreed considerably over the game’s storytelling, with some praising its mysteries and emotional core, while others found its explanations vague, underdeveloped, or delivered too slowly. Game Freak has not specified how it will fix Beast of Reincarnation‘s narrative or the scope of those fixes, whether it will be shortened cutscenes, revised dialogue, progression adjustments, or moving entire story sections to earlier in the campaign. This first update also does not mention combat changes, despite the fighting mechanics being among the most sharply debated aspects of the launch reception.
Game Freak’s rapid response still gives Beast of Reincarnation an opportunity to improve its reputation while interest remains high. Its availability on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass should continue to introduce new players to Emma and Koo’s adventure as the studio addresses minor technical issues and narrative pacing for the foreseeable future. Whether the game develops a stronger long-term following will depend on how Game Freak addresses deeper complaints regarding enemies and combat. Beast of Reincarnation has not convinced everyone at launch, but Game Freak’s planned updates could help its new RPG grow into the experience that its strongest ideas suggest it can be.
- Released
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August 4, 2026
- Publisher(s)
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Fictions
