Release Date, Platforms & Editions

At a glance

It's out now: the launch, confirmed

Beast of Reincarnation released on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and it was a genuine simultaneous launch: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC all got the game on the same day, with the PC version sold through both Steam and the Microsoft Store. The date, locked in at PlayStation's State of Play broadcast in February 2026, held all the way through — the game shipped on schedule after a development history stretching back to its May 2023 reveal under the codename "Project Bloom."

There is no longer a countdown to watch. If you are reading this on or after launch day, the game is live on every storefront and on Game Pass, and the only decision left is which version to play.

Platforms, price, and the Game Pass question

The standard edition costs $59.99 — notably a tier below the $69.99 that most big-budget action games now charge — while the Digital Deluxe edition is $69.99. Only current-generation versions exist: there is no PS4 or Xbox One release, and no Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version, which is striking for a studio best known for Pokémon. The game is also single-player only — there is no co-op or multiplayer mode.

The biggest platform decision for most players is subscription versus purchase. Beast of Reincarnation is available day one on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Because the PC version ships on the Microsoft Store as well as Steam, a single Game Pass subscription can cover the game on both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. PlayStation 5 owners have no equivalent route — there is no Game Pass on PS5, so playing there means buying the game outright.

Editions: what you get

Two editions are available. The $10 gap between them is entirely cosmetics, in-game currency, and farming items — nothing that changes the core game.

None of the Deluxe extras are gameplay-critical: the skin and hat are cosmetic, and the Amber and seeds are early-economy conveniences rather than exclusive power. The Big Dipper sword is a starter perk; how long it stays relevant is a build question rather than a reason to upgrade. A Japanese physical release is handled by Happinet.

The cheapest way to try it

If you want to sample the game before committing $59.99, the practical route is Game Pass: a single month of the subscription costs a fraction of the sticker price and includes the full game on both Xbox and PC from day one. PS5-only players who are on the fence can lean on launch reviews and impressions before buying — see the reception section below.

What's actually in the game

Beast of Reincarnation casts you as Emma, a Sealer traveling a far-future Japan — the year 4026 — alongside her wolf-like dog companion Koo. The world is stalked by giant corrupted bosses (Malefacts); defeating one lets Emma absorb a measure of its power, unlocking new Nushi Skills. That absorption is the spine of progression, alongside a two-branch skill tree (spent with SP), equipment, and socketable Spirit Stones, with upgrades and saves handled at a base called the Cleansing Walker.

The campaign runs about 13 chapters plus an epilogue. Reports put the main story at roughly 30 hours, closer to 40 with side content, and around 80 hours for a full 100% run (all figures approximate). The level cap is 100, you can respec, and finishing every achievement requires a New Game+ run.

Combat is the headline, and it's the part the game gets most right. This is a deflect-and-counter action RPG in the vein of Sekiro: a perfect parry beats a dodge, and successful blocks restore Florescence Points (FP) that fuel Koo's Bloom Arts — a "defense feeds offense" loop. A Down Gauge builds toward executions on smaller enemies and stagger openings on bosses. There are three combat attributes — Strength (attack and defense), Vitality (HP), and Florescence (HP and skill power) — and three weapon families: a swappable, element-capable Katana, plus a Bow and Crossbow whose arrows and bolts take up to three elemental slots (Fire, Lightning, Wet). Between them, four broad playstyles are viable: melee pressure, ranged elemental, stealth executions, and a Koo-focused parry build. Full boss-by-boss strategy is still being verified post-launch — see the dedicated guides below.

Launch reception

Early reviews land the game as a solid, combat-led action RPG that critics liked more than the general player base. On OpenCritic it holds a 76 ("Strong"), with 68% of 41 critics recommending it. A Metacritic aggregate had not settled at launch (full details coming soon). On Steam, user reviews sat around 54% positive in the first days from a small early sample — a real split between players who love the combat and players frustrated by the pacing and performance.

A spread of representative launch scores:

The consensus is consistent: the combat — the parry loop, elemental weapons, and multi-build skill tree — is the standout, while world exploration and storytelling are the weak points, with reviewers citing repetitive environments, overlong cutscenes, and flat characters. The two most common complaints are the boss-fight camera and PC / Steam Deck performance. For the full picture, see our review and score roundup.

Performance at launch: what to expect

On PS5, a Performance mode targets 60fps, though boss fights can drop frames and some textures render at noticeably low quality. On PC, the requirements are demanding for the visuals on offer: an SSD is mandatory, 16GB of RAM is the floor, DLSS/FSR upscaling is built in, and the install is around 45GB. The game was not Steam Deck Verified at launch — if you play there, capping to 40fps on Low settings is the pragmatic starting point. Our performance guide and PC requirements page go deeper.

The road to release

• May 2023 — announced as "Project Bloom."
• June 2025 — revealed as Beast of Reincarnation at the Xbox Games Showcase; 2026 window.
• January 2026 — deep dive at Xbox Developer Direct: combat, Koo's command system, world structure.
• February 2026 — release date confirmed at PlayStation State of Play: August 4, 2026.
• June 2026 — featured at the PC Gaming Show; Japanese physical edition detailed by Happinet.
• July 2026 — press hands-on previews publish; playtime and combat details emerge.
• August 4, 2026 — released worldwide on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC; day one on Game Pass; launches to an OpenCritic 76.

Release FAQ

Is Beast of Reincarnation out yet?

Yes. It released worldwide on August 4, 2026 and is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store).

Is it on Game Pass?

Yes — day one on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. Because the PC version is on the Microsoft Store, one subscription can cover the game on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. There is no Game Pass on PS5.

Is it coming to PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch?

No. Only PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions exist, and no other platforms have been announced.

Does it have co-op or multiplayer?

No. Beast of Reincarnation is single-player only.

What's the difference between the editions?

The $69.99 Digital Deluxe adds a Koo skin, an "Oni's Hat" for Emma, the Big Dipper sword, 100,000 Amber, and vegetable seeds over the $59.99 standard edition — all cosmetics, currency, and items, none of it required to play.

Who made it?

Game Freak — the studio behind Pokémon — built it in Unreal Engine 5 as an original property, with Fictions, Inc. publishing worldwide.

Now that it's out

• Beginner guide — what to do first
• Builds & skill trees primer
• Boss guide — order and strategies
• Review — is it worth playing
• FAQ — playtime, difficulty, is Koo playable

Sources

• Beast of Reincarnation — Steam store page (release date, price, editions)
• Official Japanese site — Happinet Games (editions, Japanese physical release)
• Xbox — Beast of Reincarnation game page (Game Pass day one)
• GameSpot — hands-on coverage (combat impressions)

Last updated: August 4, 2026 — launch day