At a Glance
🎧 Best for story: English
🇯🇵 Best for immersion: Japanese
⚔️ Best during combat: English
🎮 Best for replay: Japanese
🌐 Supports: 11 text languages, 2 voice languages
The Short Answer
Choose English if you want to focus on parries, dodges, and enemy animations while still following the story.
Choose Japanese if you prefer the original performances and don't mind reading subtitles during combat.
For most players who don't understand Japanese, English is the easiest choice for a first playthrough because it makes combat dialogue easier to follow.
.webp "Beast of Reincarnation: English or Japanese? Best Voice Language Guide (Infographic)")
Why So Many Players Are Asking This
Beast of Reincarnation starts with Japanese voices by default, and many players miss that an English voice option exists because the game does not clearly highlight the choice when you begin.
This has led to players finishing entire playthroughs without realizing English voices were available. One Kotaku reviewer noted they "didn't realise until the credits rolled that there is actually an option to turn on English voice acting", as the game does nothing to direct players to the setting.
The combat makes this choice more important than in most RPGs. Dialogue continues during exploration and boss fights—so choosing a language you don't understand means reading subtitles while trying to dodge and parry.
Note on Menu Settings: Unlike many modern RPGs where audio can be swapped on the fly, Beast of Reincarnation requires you to save, exit to the Title Screen, and open Settings → Language to change the Voice-Over track. The in-game pause menu only permits changes to subtitles and text language.
Should You Choose the English Dub or Japanese Voice Track?
Choose the English dub if:
This is your first playthrough
You care about understanding every conversation
You struggle to read subtitles during combat
You play on a TV several feet away or on a handheld device
You want to keep your eyes on enemies, not the bottom of the screen
Choose the Japanese voice track if:
You enjoy original performances
You regularly watch subtitled anime
You're replaying the game
Immersion is your priority
You want to hear Yui Ishikawa (2B from Nier: Automata and Mikasa from Attack on Titan) voice Emma
Why Subtitles Are a Bigger Problem in Beast of Reincarnation
Unlike slower RPG conversations, Beast of Reincarnation often mixes dialogue with active combat. When Emma and Koo are fighting, players may need to watch enemy animations, parry timing, and attack patterns while also reading subtitles. For players on TVs or handheld devices, small subtitle text can make this even harder.
The PC port notably lacks UI scaling options and subtitle size options, making text harder to read on smaller screens.
Shacknews' reviewer described it perfectly: "It made it tricky to read subtitles while I was actively trying to dodge and parry boss attacks, so I switched to English for the sake of convenience".
English voices let you keep your eyes on enemies while still following conversations. If you don't understand Japanese, you'll often need to split your attention between subtitles and combat, which can make it easier to miss dialogue during hectic encounters.
Playing on handheld?
If you play Beast of Reincarnation on a smaller screen, English voices become more attractive because you can focus on combat instead of constantly checking subtitles. The game currently lacks subtitle size options, which is a particular concern on Steam Deck or ROG Ally screens.
On Xbox Game Pass: Beast of Reincarnation is available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud streaming, making it highly accessible to a massive audience at launch.
If you're just starting, also check our Beast of Reincarnation Beginner Tips: 15 Mistakes to Avoid guide to avoid common mistakes during your first few hours.
English Voice Pros
Easier to follow conversations during exploration and combat
Better accessibility for those who struggle with reading subtitles
Less subtitle fatigue over a 25-40 hour playthrough
Easier multitasking while exploring—you can listen and play simultaneously
You won't miss story context during intense boss fights
The downside? Several reviewers note the English performances are weaker. Shacknews described them as "notably weaker than their Japanese counterparts" with "muted, at times emotionless delivery". Game Rant also notes the English voice-over "may not feel as natural as the original Japanese".
Japanese Voice Pros
Original performance directed by the Japanese development team
Tone and atmosphere that fits the game's post-apocalyptic Japan setting
Emotional delivery from a high-profile cast
Yui Ishikawa voices Emma, bringing experience from roles like 2B in Nier: Automata and Mikasa in Attack on Titan
Akio Otsuka (voice of Solid Snake) also appears in the cast
The Japanese audio may feel more natural to some players because it is the original voice track created alongside the game's Japanese production, although the game doesn't officially state that lip sync is language-specific
The downside? Dialogue continues during combat, so you're reading subtitles while dodging attacks—and subtitles are small with no options to make them bigger at launch.
Can You Mix English Voices with Japanese Text?
Yes.
Voice language and text language are separate settings.
You can play with:
English voices + English text
Japanese voices + English text
Japanese voices + another supported subtitle language
This flexibility is useful if you prefer the original performances but still want readable menus and subtitles.
Best Settings Combination for Most Players
Recommended first-playthrough setup:
🎧 Voice: English
📝 Text: English
💬 Subtitles: On
Recommended immersion setup:
🎧 Voice: Japanese
📝 Text: Your preferred language
💬 Subtitles: On
For players who want the original audio but easier menus:
🎧 Voice: Japanese
📝 Text: English
💬 Subtitles: On
Should You Switch Mid-Playthrough?
Try not to.
Game Rant's reviewer spent 10 hours in Japanese before switching, and noted "Emma's English voice feels off, as it has a completely different vibe compared to the Japanese version".
The performances create different impressions of the same character. Once you've grown attached to a voice, switching can feel jarring.
Our advice: Pick a language before you start and stick with it—unless accessibility becomes an issue.
Plan on Playing New Game+? Here's a Strategy
Beast of Reincarnation features New Game+ (called Reincarnation Mode) available from launch, with a new difficulty and additional trophies/achievements.
Use English for your initial playthrough to easily grasp mechanics and story beats during hectic boss encounters. Save the original Japanese voice track for your Reincarnation Mode run, where you already know the story and can soak in the atmospheric performances.
Things the Game Doesn't Tell You
The game starts with Japanese voices by default, and the voice language option is easy to overlook when first starting
Voice-Over Language cannot be changed from the in-game pause menu—you must return to the title screen
Voice and subtitle languages are separate settings—you can keep English subtitles with Japanese audio
Only English and Japanese include full voice acting at launch
The English voice cast hasn't been promoted as prominently as the Japanese cast, making it less recognizable for many players
Language support at launch:
The game supports 11 interface and subtitle languages, but only English and Japanese include full voice acting. Players using other supported languages will hear either the English or Japanese voice track with localized text.
Does Your Choice Affect Gameplay?
No.
The story, quests, rewards, difficulty, and combat mechanics remain exactly the same. This is purely a presentation choice.
Why Some Players Regret Their Choice
Some players initially assumed the game only had Japanese voices, then discovered the English option later. Community discussions show that many players simply didn't realize a choice existed because the game doesn't prompt you during initial setup.
Many players finished much of the game before discovering the English option. They then found switching voices later felt odd because they'd already become attached to the Japanese performances.
Others started in Japanese without realizing dialogue continues during combat—and by the time they wanted to switch, they'd already logged 15+ hours and didn't want to re-experience key story moments in a different voice.
The takeaway: Make your choice early. You can switch later, but the experience won't feel as cohesive.
Quick Choice Guide
🎧 First playthrough: English
⚔️ Hard combat focus: English
🇯🇵 Original acting fans: Japanese
🎮 Second playthrough (NG+): Japanese
📺 Playing on a TV: English
🎮 Playing on handheld: English
Final Verdict
There isn't a universally "correct" voice language in Beast of Reincarnation. English makes it easier to keep up with dialogue during fast-paced combat, while Japanese preserves the original performances and atmosphere.
If you're starting the game for the first time, English is the safer recommendation for most players. If you enjoy replaying games or prefer original voice acting, Japanese is well worth experiencing on a second run—especially with New Game+ available from launch.
🎧 Best for first playthrough: English
🇯🇵 Best for immersion: Japanese
⚔️ Best for combat readability: English
🎮 Best for replay/NG+: Japanese
🌍 Best for non-Japanese speakers: English
🎮 Best for handheld players: English
FAQ
Should I play Beast of Reincarnation in English or Japanese?
Most first-time players should choose English to follow dialogue during combat. Choose Japanese if you value original performances and don't mind reading subtitles.
Can I change voice language later?
Yes—but you must return to the title screen. Voice-Over Language cannot be changed from the in-game pause menu.
Can you use English voices with Japanese subtitles?
Yes—voice language and subtitle language are separate settings.
Does changing language affect trophies or achievements?
No.
Is the English dub good?
Reviews are mixed. Some find it serviceable; others describe it as "muted" and "emotionless" compared to the Japanese track.
Does the game have lip sync for English?
This hasn't been officially confirmed. The Japanese audio may feel more natural as the original voice track, but the game doesn't state that lip sync is language-specific.
Why does the game start in Japanese?
Game Freak is a Japanese developer, and this is their default setting.
Does dialogue continue during combat?
Yes, which is the main reason the language choice matters more than in most RPGs.
Does Beast of Reincarnation have New Game+?
Yes—Reincarnation Mode (New Game+) is available from launch with increased difficulty and additional trophies.
What languages does Beast of Reincarnation support?
The game supports 11 interface and subtitle languages, but only English and Japanese have full voice acting. All other supported languages use subtitles with either the English or Japanese audio track.
Are subtitles easy to read during combat?
Subtitles are small with no font size options at launch, making them harder to read during fast-paced encounters—especially on TV or handheld screens.
Is Beast of Reincarnation on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes—the game is available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud streaming.
Pro Tip: Decide on your voice language before investing several hours into the story. Switching later is easy from the title screen, but many players find it difficult to adjust after getting used to one cast's performances.
Beast of Reincarnation released August 4, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Traversal Guide: Emma's Hair Abilities, Vine Bridges & Movement Skills
Xbox Store Page – xbox.com/en-US/games/beast-of-reincarnation – Confirms day-one Game Pass availability and platform details
- Official Language Support - Beast of Reincarnation Steam Page
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