Beast of Reincarnation review: “The Pokemon dev knocks it out the park with a stunningly confident sci-fi action RPG”

GamesRadar+ published a strongly positive review of Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation, describing the sci-fi action RPG as a confident departure for the studio best known for Pokémon. The reviewer praised its demanding but generally fair sword-and-parry combat, the build options available to protagonist Emma and her wolf companion Koo, and a post-apocalyptic Japan shaped by the corrupting Blight. The review also highlighted the game’s environmental themes, optional dialogue and story, arguing that its character work and philosophical ideas give the action greater depth. It noted that the game launched on 4 August 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, published by Fictions.

The assessment was not unreserved: GamesRadar+ cited occasional uncertainty around navigation and frustrating camera and targeting behaviour when several enemies attack at once. It nevertheless judged those issues comparatively minor, commending the traversal tools, combat rhythm and open-ended interpretation of the ending. Other contemporary reviews were more mixed, with GameSpot criticising its cinematic presentation, animation and polish, while PC Gamer similarly identified a more melancholy, parry-led action RPG. The GamesRadar+ review therefore represents an enthusiastic individual verdict rather than a universal critical consensus.