Beast of Reincarnation and Expedition 33 Are Two Sides of the Same Combat Coin

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I’m really looking forward to Beast of Reincarnation, an action game expected in 2026. It’s Game Freak’s first time making a game like this – they’re usually known for Pokemon – so I’m not sure how it will play out. But that uncertainty is what makes it so exciting! When a developer tries something completely different, the results are often surprisingly good – or at least, very interesting.

Even without knowing the game’s backstory, Beast of Reincarnation looks promising. It’s an action RPG starring a woman named Emma and her dog, Koo, and it feels like a fast and exciting fantasy adventure. They’re on a journey to save a futuristic world from destruction. While there are many games like this, Beast of Reincarnation might stand out. Early signs suggest its gameplay could be as innovative and impactful as the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Only time will tell if that proves to be true.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Injected Turn-Based Combat with Real-Time Mechanics, and the Results Speak for Themselves

One of the best parts of Clair Obscur is its turn-based combat. Similar to classic games like Final Fantasy X, each character has unique skills, strengths, and weaknesses. This encourages players to carefully build a well-rounded team. For example, Sciel excels at hitting multiple enemies, while Lune and Monoco are better at exploiting specific enemy weaknesses. The game also features interesting character progression systems during battles, making combat even more engaging.

I’m really loving how Clair Obscur plays – it’s not just good, it’s genuinely clever, especially when it comes to defending yourself. Unlike a lot of games, you can actually avoid every single attack, by parrying, jumping, or dodging. And it’s not just about avoiding damage either – if you time things right, like perfectly parrying a bunch of hits, you can launch a powerful counterattack! This fills up the enemy’s ‘Break Meter,’ and once that’s full, they’re stunned, letting you deal even more damage. It adds so much depth to the combat!

While not the first of its kind, Clair Obscur stands out from other turn-based RPGs because of its unique blend of real-time elements, well-balanced risks and rewards, and how well these features work with character customization.

What makes Clair Obscur‘s gameplay so impressive is how it blends strategic, turn-based combat with bursts of fast-paced, real-time action. You can easily get lost in the rhythm of carefully planning your moves, then quickly reacting when the action speeds up. Clair Obscur expertly balances calm strategy with intense bursts of activity, creating a unique combat experience. Beast of Reincarnation seems to be aiming for a similar effect, but with the roles of real-time and turn-based gameplay reversed.

Beast of Reincarnation Mixes Turn-Based and Real-Time Gameplay, Starting from the Other Direction

While Clair Obscur blends turn-based strategy with real-time action, Beast of Reincarnation aims to do the opposite. Players control Emma in fast-paced action combat – attacking, dodging, and using special moves. However, a unique parrying system lets you earn points to activate abilities through a command menu, briefly shifting the gameplay to feel more like a traditional turn-based RPG.

Okay, so the way battles seem to work in this new game reminds me a lot of games like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the original Mass Effect. You can pause the action with a command screen, which lets you really look at everything happening and plan your next move. The commands themselves encourage you to think strategically and not just rush in. Honestly, it feels like they’re hinting at a deeper tactical system, blending real-time action with turn-based elements. Right now, it’s just a little taste of what could be, but it’s a solid foundation. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but Game Freak has a knack for taking familiar ideas and making them something special, and I’m excited to see where they take this!

The Devil’s in the Details of Beast of Reincarnation’s Combat System

I wasn’t just trying to gush about how good the turn-based combat is in Clair Obscur. Honestly, it’s the foundation for why the real-time stuff works so well. It all comes down to balance – solid turn-based mechanics combined with the real-time action. If they hadn’t really thought through things like the Break Meter, Pictos, Luminas, and how each character plays, the parry and dodge features could have felt cheap. Instead, they feel like smart additions to the classic JRPG formula, and that’s all thanks to that strong base.

The game Beast of Reincarnation is aiming for a similar approach, blending turn-based strategy with real-time action. This combination could add a lot of depth, but its success depends on how well the real-time combat is designed. For example, since players earn abilities by parrying, that action needs to feel good, work consistently, and respond quickly – otherwise, the gameplay could become frustrating. Simply including both real-time and turn-based elements isn’t enough; they need to work together smoothly and purposefully to be truly effective. It’s still uncertain if the game will fully achieve this, but its innovative combination of features is definitely something to watch.

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2026-01-23 21:41