The future Game Freak is revealed
As soon as it was announced, and although we logically didn’t have much to sink our teeth into, Beast of Reincarnation was still able to outline for us the contours of his experience. An action-RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Japan featuring an agile heroine with special powers and accompanied by a mutant dog. Thanks to a focus on the game on the part of Xbox, we see a little more clearly, and we will see together what we have learned.
We already have a little more detail on the story. As said previously, Emma, the main character, has been affected by the Scourge since childhood. It is a curse that has transformed the world and almost completely eradicated humanity. As a result, she was always sidelined by others. However, it is she from whom the salvation of our species will come since she is the only one who can reverse the situation. Unfortunately, her destiny as “Sealer of the Scourge” will cause her suffering.
A burden that she will be able to share with Koo, the white dog that we have seen at her side from the start. Also affected by the Scourge, we also know the name given to the animal species that have been affected. They are called malefactors and the source of evil contaminating the forests and landscapes of this version of Japan are called the Nushi (the Guardians)nothing more and nothing less than giant malefactors.
Defeating these beasts will allow Emma and Koo to absorb their skillsand thus expand gameplay possibilities which seem varied and pleasant to use. In addition to Emma’s skills allowing her to use “roots” to gain verticality or cling to her enemies, we were also able to see more in terms of combat and character development, and we have before us a fairly interesting mix, taking advantage of the duo.
A “one person one dog action RPG”
Emma fights with a katana, being able to deliver some pretty nervous combos, and by having the panoply of good action-RPG, including dodging and parrying. And then, Koo will be able to lend a strong hand via an order system where, by accumulating enough points by coming out of parries against opponents, he will be able to use skills. A sort of doggie-by-turn mechanic. In addition, our companion will know how to intervene in the event of a bad situation.
Regarding the evolution of our two heroes, skill trees specific to each person will offer more and more build possibilitiesin the same way as the Spirit Stones, offering various effects in combat, or the different katanas to collect for Emma as well as the charms that Koo can wear. The Xbox Developer Direct video also insisted on being able to opt for remote or stealthy approaches.
All this should give us gameplay with a good compromise between reflexes and tactics, hoping that the balance is preserved. In case things might prove too complicated, three levels of difficulty will be there, namely the classics History, Normal and Difficultin which parry timing and enemy damage will be the main parameters affected.
We could conclude by mentioning other elements covered in less detail, such as the other characters. We will cross the path of Kunai, a woman also accompanied by a curseand other humans like Brad and Kagura will be among our allies. Finally, the title does seem to offer an exploration component, even if the freedom to go right and left remains to be defined.
From the pure point of view of action-RPG and what we saw in this ten-minute presentation, Beast of Reincarnation should start with a fairly classic recipe, but the gamefeelTHE setting In a post-apocalyptic Japan, the story that revolves around it and the relationship between Emma and Koo will undoubtedly prove decisive in making Game Freak’s next game a very good experience. The title is expected this summer on PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store), PS5 and Xbox Series, including Day One availability on Game Pass Ultimate.