Overview
Blighted forests are corrupted environments found throughout Beast of Reincarnation's post-apocalyptic Japan. These areas serve as the game's dungeon-equivalent, dense zones of concentrated Blight corruption where the landscape itself has been twisted by the influence of Nushi, the game's most powerful Malefact bosses. Each blighted forest is effectively the domain of a Nushi, shaped and maintained by that creature's corrupting presence.
Nushi influence
Each blighted forest reflects the nature of the Nushi that created it. These colossal Malefacts do not simply inhabit their environments; they actively shape them. The terrain within a blighted forest is a product of the Nushi's corrupting power, meaning each forest has its own visual identity, environmental hazards, and navigational challenges tied to the specific Nushi at its heart.
This design means that entering a new blighted forest is not just a change of scenery but a shift in gameplay dynamics. The environmental rules change depending on which Nushi controls the area, forcing players to adapt their approach to traversal, combat positioning, and resource management.
Dynamic environments
One of the defining features of blighted forests is their Real-Time Biome Mutation. The environments within these areas are not static. Scenery shifts and changes as the player progresses, with terrain transformations that can be gradual or sudden. A path that was open moments ago might become blocked by corrupted growth. An area that appeared safe might sprout new hazards. This ever-changing quality keeps players on alert and prevents encounters from becoming predictable.
The dynamic nature of blighted forests ties into the game's themes about the Blight as a living, evolving force. These are not ruins frozen in decay. They are active environments where corruption is still spreading, still growing, still reshaping the world in real time.
Boss encounters
Each blighted forest culminates in a confrontation with its resident Nushi. These boss encounters take place in arenas shaped by the Nushi's influence, meaning the fight environment itself reflects the boss's capabilities. The battles have been compared to Shadow of the Colossus-style set pieces, with massive creatures that dwarf Emma and demand creative use of her plant abilities to reach weak points.
Upon defeating a Nushi, Emma can absorb the Nushi's immense power, gaining new capabilities that expand her combat toolkit. This absorption mechanic ties progression directly to boss encounters, with each Nushi kill unlocking abilities that reshape how the player approaches subsequent zones. The fights test the full range of skills: parry timing for FP generation, Bloom Art selection for maximum impact, plant ability usage for traversal and positioning, and Spirit Stone optimization for sustained damage output.
Exploration
Despite their danger, blighted forests are also rich exploration spaces. Hidden paths, optional encounters, and discoverable items like katanas, Charms, and Spirit Stones reward players who take time to investigate beyond the main path. Emma's plant abilities open up traversal options that reveal shortcuts, hidden rooms, and lore-rich environmental storytelling about the Nushi and the history of the Blight's spread.