- Primary Subject: Beast of Reincarnation (Launch Version / Version 1.0)
- Key Update: Game Freak's standalone action-RPG Beast of Reincarnation received mixed reviews for repetitive combat and weak narrative execution, fueling fan arguments that the developer—rather than Nintendo—is behind Pokémon's recent quality struggles.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: August 12, 2026
- Quick Answer: Repetitive combat, flat narrative delivery, and unpunishing mechanics in Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation suggest studio limitations rather than publisher interference.
For years, the Pokemon series of games has been in the hands of both Nintendo and Game Freak, with many believing that the former is the reason why the quality has been decreasing with each passing entry. It certainly seems that would be the case, given that it would only make sense for the major company to make the final call on what the end product should be.
Game Freak has had the opportunity to prove that, as it recently released a game of its own: Beast of Reincarnation. The developer handled nearly everything about the new project, from creative direction to world-building, so people expected something fantastic, especially since there's no influence from Nintendo regarding the outcome.
However, now that the game is out and people have played it, opinions may have been swayed to the opposite direction. I've gone through a good chunk of Beast of Reincarnation, and with what I've experienced, I may have to side with those who say that Game Freak may be the problem with Pokemon after all.
One reason I say this is due to the quality of gameplay. Game Freak has done what it could to evolve Pokemon throughout the years, such as transitioning from a 2D RPG to one that's more open-world, and introducing generational gimmicks like Terrastralization and Mega Evolution. There are several hits, but when it misses, it really does, and it seems the developer has been caught in a snag ever since Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Many, like myself, believe it to be due to the fatigue of having worked on something for so long, so a new project would be just the thing to show that Game Freak can create something spectacular when given the chance. However, that doesn't seem to be the case, as Beast of Reincarnation's gameplay feels uninspired, repetitive, and inconsequential.
One of the biggest strengths that an RPG action-adventure should have is its combat, as you're expected to do a lot of that, so it's only natural that it should be fun. That's not the case in Beast of Reincarnation, as the flow of every fight feels the same, with you mashing the attack button and parrying or using your gigantic dog now and then.
Yes, there are stats that you can upgrade to unlock more skills, but why bother when you can literally brute force your way through nearly every enemy? Yes, they can be used to make fights more flashy, but that's about all they do, as basic attacks are good enough and are even faster.
But let's say you fail and your character ends up dying, there should be some punishment for that, right? Well, that's not the case, as there is no penalty for losing. You can be beaten as many times as you want, and your only punishment is that you just waste a little bit of time. Even Pokemon has consequences for losing a battle, that being you're forced to give money to the victor, so it's very bizarre that there aren't any for an action-adventure RPG.
However, if that isn't convincing enough to prove that Game Freak could be the problem, then perhaps the matter regarding the story and cutscenes will. Those two aspects are what the Pokemon series has been having issues with recently, as the more modern entries fail to have intriguing enough plots and dialogue have yet to be voiced despite opportunities to provide them with.
Now, Game Freak was supposed to show us how they're supposed to handle both with their own control in Beast of Reincarnation, but only seemed to solidify that they're the reason why Pokemon is in the state it's in. The story of the action-adventure RPG is somewhat interesting, but only if you pay all of your attention to what's going on.
If you don't, you'll likely be very confused about what's happening. This would have been fine, but the problem is that the way the story is depicted is incredibly boring. Your main character's lack of personality makes cutscenes feel like a slog to go through, and the rest of the cast doesn't help in making things better. In fact, they make some scenes even more unbearable.
If you're thinking that you can just skip through them, then unfortunately, you can't. Just like in Pokemon, you're forced to watch all the important plot points, but in this game, you also have to deal with the dull and monotonous voice acting, which I believe is worse.
Given the quality of Beast of Reincranation, perhaps Nintendo should consider going with another developer for future Pokemon projects. That would certainly be bizarre, given that Game Freak and the series have gone hand in hand since the beginning, but if it means bigger and better things in the future, then it may just be the way to go.
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