Game Freak's Big AAA Action RPG Step Beyond Pokémon Has Mixed Results

August 5, 2026 - 12:28

Game Freak, the studio best known for Pokémon, has finally stepped out of that shadow with its first major AAA action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation. The result is a mixed bag. The combat is tight, fast, and genuinely addictive, but the game itself seems to have trouble figuring out what it wants to be beyond its obvious inspirations.

The core fighting system is the clear highlight. It borrows heavily from modern action games like Devil May Cry and Nioh, with a focus on dodging, parrying, and chaining combos. Once you get the rhythm down, it feels great. Each enemy encounter is a puzzle in timing and positioning, and the game rewards aggressive play without punishing you too hard for mistakes. That alone is enough to keep you coming back for another fight.

But outside of combat, Beast of Reincarnation loses its footing. The story is a jumble of dark fantasy tropes, with a protagonist who is supposed to be haunted but comes off as flat. The world design is visually striking but empty, with few memorable characters or side quests to make exploration worthwhile. It feels like the team spent all their energy on the action and forgot to build a world around it.

There is also a sense that the game is trying too hard to be something it is not. The tone swings between grim and goofy, and the art direction, while polished, never lands on a distinct style. It is not a bad game by any means, but it is not a great one either. For a studio making its first big leap outside its comfort zone, it is a solid start. But players hoping for a new classic will likely walk away feeling like they played a very good demo of a much better game that has not been made yet.