Game Freak’s first non-Pokémon game with modern graphics is a bittersweet experiment

Game Freak, the studio behind the Pokémon series for three decades, has released Beast of Reincarnation — its first game without Pokémon that features modern graphics and large-scale environments. Until now, the independent studio had mostly worked on 2D titles like Little Town Hero and Tembo the Badass Elephant, so tackling a full 3D project posed a significant challenge.

The story is set in the year 4026. The world has been reduced to ruins by the titular Beast of Reincarnation, an immortal creature that resurrects every hundred years even if defeated. Humanity lives in perpetual fear of the next cycle. The protagonist, Emma, is the only person capable of ending this cycle. Her journey involves visiting all regions, defeating corrupted beasts called Nusi, and absorbing their energy to gain strength for the final confrontation with the Beast.

The reviewer describes the plot as mediocre but notes that scenes involving a character named Ku add some emotional depth. Visually, the game adopts a melancholic style: barren landscapes, muted colors, and sparse vegetation. However, technical performance suffers noticeably on Xbox Series S — frame rate drops, long loading times, and animation glitches are common.

The combat system is criticized for being shallow compared to Pokémon. Players have only three ability slots, cannot switch beasts mid-battle, and tactical depth is minimal. The reviewer concludes that the game is a "solid average" title, scoring 6 out of 10. It may appeal to hardcore Game Freak fans but is unlikely to become a mainstream hit.