Game Freak used the latest Xbox Developer_Direct to formally introduce Beast of Reincarnation, a new Souls-like action RPG currently in development and scheduled for release in summer 2026. The title marks the studio’s first large-scale AAA project outside of the long-running Pokémon series and is being built using Unreal Engine 5. Publishing duties are being handled by Fictions.
According to the announcement, Beast of Reincarnation is set in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic version of Japan, where human civilization has largely collapsed under the spread of a destructive blight. Players take on the role of Emma, an exiled woman navigating the ruins alongside her wolf companion, Koo. The story centers on survival, isolation, and the struggle to find belonging in a hostile world shaped by environmental decay.
Game Freak describes the experience as strictly single-player, with a focus on demanding and technical combat. Gameplay footage highlights fast sword-based attacks from Emma, combined with support abilities provided by Koo. Players can call on the wolf during encounters, adding an extra layer of strategy against both monstrous creatures and mechanical enemies that roam the landscape.
Traversal also plays a key role in the game’s design. Emma’s powers are tied to her ability to absorb the blight and seal it within her body, influencing both combat and movement across the environment. The developer has hinted that this mechanic connects closely with the game’s themes, particularly the relationship between the protagonist and the natural world that persists amid the ruins.
Beast of Reincarnation is confirmed to launch simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. A Steam store page is already live, allowing players to add the game to their wishlists, though pre-orders have not yet opened. Beyond the details shown during Developer_Direct, no additional information has been shared at this stage.
With a release window set between June and August 2026, Beast of Reincarnation represents a notable shift for Game Freak as it steps into darker themes, modern engine technology, and a genre known for its difficulty and precision. More updates are expected as development progresses.
