Beast of Reincarnation Review: Post-Apocalyptic Japan Soulslike

Beast of Reincarnation, the newest Soulslike set in post-apocalyptic Japan, is being described as imperfect but surprisingly fun—a game that takes chances, yet doesn’t always hold together cleanly.

Story and world: strong premise, uneven execution

Critics say the game’s setup is memorable: the last fragments of civilization are threatened by a plague that could wipe out the remaining survivors—both human and robotic. Two infected—set up as the heroine and her dog—fight back, and the beast behind the title’s name is tied directly to the crisis.

Where reviews diverge is how smoothly the experience comes together. Testers report that the game’s systems feel rough and inconsistent, with a “chaotic mix” of ideas and influences shaping the gameplay. Several outlets also note that the protagonist—and the story’s understanding of the situation—doesn’t fully click until later.

Story is repeatedly listed as a strength, in part because it hits subtle tones. Still, some reviewers criticize the pacing, pointing to late-game sections where events are reportedly rushed through long sequences. Interludes are also flagged as inconsistent in quality.

Combat and exploration: parries feel good, but learning and clarity suffer

Combat is a major highlight. Reviewers praise the “pleasant rhythm” of fights and the central role of parrying—specifically compared to Sekiro-style defensive timing. The dog is also singled out as impactful, with the game’s emphasis on the duo’s symbiosis described as making battles more effective.

However, testers identify issues that can undermine that enjoyment. Reported problems include weak tutorials for learning combat mechanics and an erratic camera that can make parrying harder than it needs to be, leading to avoidable deaths. Difficulty is generally characterized as on the easier side for the Soulslike genre, and the game reportedly offers plenty of combo options for both beginners and more experienced players.

Exploration is described as only partly rewarding. Level traversal using the heroine’s hair is called fresh and fun, but incentives to look around are said to be inconsistent. Some testers also describe the environment as either boring or confusing, with uncertainty over what parts of the scenery are interactable versus just backdrop.

One outlet frames the overall design as a “nearly fitting” bundle of systems and decisions—close to working, but not fully refined.

Scores, verdict, and what to watch next

Despite the complaints, Beast of Reincarnation is landing with fairly balanced reception on Steam and a Metacritic score of 73. Reviewers suggest how high the final rating feels depends on how much a tester is willing to push through the game’s rough edges.

Overall impressions converge on the same theme: people are finding real enjoyment, even if the game can swing between “convincing but unfinished,” “fascinating action RPG,” and moments described as frustrating or even boring. The current takeaway is that it may either need further maturation or be a better buy during a sale.

Steam reception: described as balanced
Metacritic: 73
Common positives: story tone, parry-driven combat rhythm, duo synergy with the dog, hair-based traversal
Common negatives: rough systems, inconsistent cutscenes, pacing issues, weak tutorials, problematic camera, unclear level readability

What to watch next

Given the repeated criticism around mechanics training, camera behavior, and overall system cohesion, the next patches are likely to be the biggest factor in whether Beast of Reincarnation becomes the “finished” version some reviews are asking for—or remains a fun but uneven Soulslike detour.