The interactions between Harding and other characters, particularly through the in-game dialogue, add depth to his character. The banter is sharp, often laced with dark humour, and helps to humanise this killing machine. These moments of levity provide contrast to the extreme violence of the gameplay and offer insights into Harding’s psyche.

Between missions, the narrative unfolds through “kinetic typography” dialogue. While rendering its characters faceless, the pacing is generally tight, with the story moving quickly from one mission to the next, reflecting the game’s emphasis on speed and momentum.

Despite this, the narrative does suffer from a few inconsistencies. The missions, while exciting and varied in gameplay, don’t always align with the overarching plot. Some missions feel like filler, serving more as a vehicle to move the player to the next set piece rather than advancing the story in a meaningful way. The ending of I Am Your Beast is also a letdown. After a short and sweet three hours of building up a tense storyline, the conclusion feels anticlimactic. The final mission, though accompanied by an energetic and fitting hip-hop song, is just a wave-based challenge (which we’ll come back to later) that lacks the narrative punch expected from a climax.

The combat in I Am Your Beast is visceral and fulfilling improvisation. Harding can use a variety of weapons, from pistols and sniper rifles to more unconventional tools like bear traps and throwing knives. The environment is also a weapon, picking up firearms dropped by enemies, setting traps, and even throwing empty guns as projectiles to stun opponents. Players are encouraged to think on their feet, consistently switching between weapons mid-battle.

Parkour mechanics, while enabling great traversal across levels, have flaws. Transitioning from one surface to another—such as moving from one tree branch to the next—can feel clunky. There’s a short stop that disturbs movement, which is crucial for a game that relies so heavily on swiftness. This momentary hesitation can be jarring, especially when you’re in the middle of a chaotic chase or combat sequence. Despite these issues and when the movement works as intended, it adds to the enjoyment. The ability to quickly scale trees, vault over obstacles, and drop down on unsuspecting enemies captures the feeling of an unyielding hunter, always on the move and always one step ahead of your enemies.

The game does include a few difficulty spikes, particularly in missions against large numbers of enemies at once or dealing with environmental hazards. These spikes may be frustrating for some, especially when they interrupt the otherwise smooth flow. However, they also add a sense of tension, reminding players even the most skilled can be brought down if they are not careful.

That said, wave-based missions are at odds with the design goals. These missions require clearing spawning agents from all directions, slowing down a game that wants you to keep moving. The enemies aren’t AI geniuses, either. They’ll appear right behind Harding’s line of sight and move slowly towards him until eliminated. Wave-based missions feel so out of place and simply don’t make the most of the fun gameplay mechanics.

Each track feels like it matches the tempo of gameplay, with the music often ramping up in intensity during key moments. There were moments the music was so engaging that I was actually distracted from the objectives at hand, absorbing me into the rhythm of combat. The soundtrack not only enhances the gameplay experience but is an integral part of what makes I Am Your Beast so memorable.

The sound effects are well-crafted with each gunshot, explosion, and melee attack accompanied by a crisp and impactful sound. However, the mix is certainly loud and missions including helicopter fire may be grating on the ears. There is an opportunity for audio balancing that may help make the game more accessible for those with hearing troubles.

Voice acting is another strong point, with the narration and character dialogue delivered with conviction and emotion. The voice work does an excellent job of conveying the intensity of Harding’s motives and journey, as well as the personalities of the various characters he encounters.