{"rewrite":{"id":"r_ea4f99bfdbe91d33a77296fd","clusterId":"c_f0f57da90c486c7ace2fc552","slug":"game-freak-s-beast-of-reincarnation-hands-on-sekiro-like-combat-with-nier-exploration","model":"deepseek-v4-flash:free","headline":"Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation Hands-On: Sekiro-Like Combat With Nier Exploration","summary":"Game Freak's new action RPG 'Beast of Reincarnation' launches August 4 on PC (Steam/Microsoft Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Published by Happinet, the game follows protagonist Emma and her partner Kuu, a corrosive being, through a ruined Japan in 4026 AD. A hands-on preview from Automaton covers up to Chapter 1, describing exploration that lets players create plant footholds almost anywhere, giving a free-roaming feel compared to the 'Nier' series. Combat is described as a lighter 'Sekiro'-like system with parries, dodges, and simple controls; the parry window is generous on lower difficulties. Three difficulty levels (STORY, NORMAL, HARD) are available, and HARD tightens parry timing. Kuu assists automatically and via command-based 'Bloom Techniques' that consume a gauge refilled by parrying. The BGM features vocal tracks that convey a peaceful loneliness. Director Kōta Furushima said in a talk session that the concept was 'a harsh journey of one person and one beast,' with photorealistic graphics chosen to express that harshness. Development prototypes began around 2019, with full production starting around 2022, using Unreal Engine and multiple external studios. The dog partner was chosen because dogs follow commands, unlike cats.","whyItMatters":"This is Game Freak's most ambitious non-Pokémon title in years, a photorealistic action RPG that departs sharply from the studio's usual style, and the preview suggests it delivers a polished, accessible take on the Sekiro-like genre.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eKuu assists automatically in combat and can also be commanded to perform \u0026#34;Bloom Techniques\u0026#34; that consume a dedicated gauge. The gauge is refilled by parrying enemy attacks. Some Bloom Techniques recover a small amount of Emma\u0026#39;s HP, making them useful as emergency healing. When selecting a command, time slows down significantly, allowing the player to choose calmly.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBack at the base, the player can pet Kuu or give him a shower. This increases intimacy with Kuu and expands skill equipment slots.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDirector Kōta Furushima said in a talk session that the skill tree has three branches: one for ranged weapons, one for defilement-related abilities, and one with other characteristics. Resetting is easy, so players can find a style that suits them. The game was not made with gameplay first; the premise was how to express a journey with a reliable partner in gameplay.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFurushima said sound was considered the element with the highest resolution and reproducibility. Since plants are a theme, footsteps constantly convey their presence. For defilement, they expressed the fear of being covered by it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn object called \u0026#34;Crescent Moon\u0026#34; floats high in the sky, said to have existed in the era of ancient prehistoric civilization. If the player stares at it, intense noise begins to sound, and if they keep staring, they die. The preview notes this suggests some mystery of the world is hidden in that area.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation preview: combat is a lighter Sekiro with generous parry windows, exploration feels like Nier with free-form plant climbing, and the BGM is vocal chill. Out August 4.","twitterPost":"Beast of Reincarnation's director chose a dog partner because 'his own cat wouldn't obey commands.' The game launches August 4 on PC, PS5, Xbox.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation gets a hands-on preview ahead of its August 4 launch. The action RPG blends Sekiro-like combat with Nier-style exploration, set in a ruined Japan. Director Kōta Furushima explained the photorealistic graphics and dog partner choice in a talk session.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Automaton\",\"url\":\"https://automaton-media.com/articles/reportjp/20260726-456717/\",\"title\":\"Game Freak's New Title 'Beast of Reincarnation' Hands-On Impressions: Combat Has a Lighter 'Sekiro' Flavor, Exploration Fun Like 'Nier', an Adventure Game for One Person and One Pet\"},{\"source\":\"Automaton\",\"url\":\"https://automaton-media.com/articles/reportjp/20260726-456725/\",\"title\":\"Game Freak's New Action RPG 'Beast of Reincarnation' Concept is 'A Harsh Journey of One Person and One Beast' - Director Talk Session Summary on Development Structure and System Details\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":12544,"outputTokens":1381,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1785057227,"createdAt":"2026-07-26T09:03:57.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-26T09:05:45.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-26T09:03:57.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_f0f57da90c486c7ace2fc552","canonicalTitle":"ゲームフリーク新作『Beast of Reincarnation』先行プレイ感想。戦闘はゆるめの『SEKIRO』風味で、『ニーア』的な探索の楽しさあり、1人と1匹の冒険ゲーム","representativeArticleId":"a_13a817a71fecaceb3efe45a0","sourceCount":2,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Beast of Reincarnation\"],\"studios\":[\"Game Freak\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"review\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-26T01:15:20.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-27T06:00:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-27T06:04:20.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"ASCII.jp","url":"https://ascii.jp/elem/000/004/422/4422192/?rss","title":"期待の新作『Beast of Reincarnation』を先行プレイ！メディア向け体験会を開催"},{"source":"Automaton","url":"https://automaton-media.com/articles/reportjp/20260726-456725/","title":"ゲームフリーク新作アクションRPG『Beast of Reincarnation』のコンセプトは「1人と1匹の過酷な旅」。開発体制やシステムの詳細など、ディレクタートークセッションまとめ"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Beast of Reincarnation"],"studios":["Game Freak"],"people":[],"type":"review","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Beast of Reincarnation launches on August 4 for PC (Steam/Microsoft Store), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.","The game is set in a ruined Japan in the year 4026 AD, about 1,000 years after civilization collapsed due to impurity.","Three difficulty levels are available: STORY, NORMAL, and HARD, adjustable at any time.","Director Kōta Furushima said full development started around 2022, with prototypes and scenarios taking shape around 2019.","The game uses Unreal Engine and involved multiple specialized external studios due to insufficient internal resources."]}