Beast of Reincarnation is an interesting action RPG. Developed by Game Freak, the studio behind the beloved Pokemon series, it’s a chance for the developer to step out from Pikachu’s enormous shadow and create something fresh. If you’re looking to give it a chance, you can preorder a Steam key at a discount, making it cheaper than buying directly through Steam while also scoring some extra content.
Forget the father-figure, adopted-daughter dynamic that games like The Last of Us and Pragmata deliver. Beast of Reincarnation pairs one person with one loyal dog, putting you in the role of Emma, a shunned outcast the world now relies on as its potential savior, alongside Koo, a blighted canine companion. The world is harsh and unforgiving, but Emma and Koo’s bond takes center stage, bringing moments of warmth to an otherwise bleak post-apocalyptic Japan.
The reveal trailer initially gave me Wild Hearts vibes, one of my favorite takes on the monster-hunting genre. However, Emma and Koo’s combat leans much more toward the soulslike formula, with the pair fighting as a synchronized team. Emma handles close-range combat with her sword, while Koo’s Bloom Arts provide magical abilities that let you attack enemies in a variety of ways.
Game Freak appears to be channeling its decades of experience creating Trainers and Pokemon into the relationship between Emma and Koo. Their journey is intertwined as they set out to defeat the Beast of Reincarnation and the many powerful bosses that stand in their way. Along the way, you’ll unlock new skills and build your ideal loadout to tackle increasingly difficult encounters.
While reviews haven’t been published yet, you don’t have to pay full price if you’re planning to jump in at launch. Right now, you can preorder Beast of Reincarnation for $52.79 / £43.99 at Fanatical, saving 12% before release. You’ll also receive the preorder bonus, which includes an Alternate Brown Shiba Skin for Koo and 30,000 Amber, an in-game currency that gives you a helpful head start.
The rest of this year is packed with major releases, including one particularly colossal game (cough, Grand Theft Auto VI, cough). That makes discounts on upcoming releases all the more welcome, and as a brand-new IP, Beast of Reincarnation is one I’m looking forward to playing.
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. This story was created in collaboration with Fanatical’s deals team.