Game Freak Reveals New Gameplay & Release Window for Non-Pokemon RPG, Beast of Reincarnation

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Game Freak, the team behind the popular Pokemon games, has been working on a brand new RPG that isn’t connected to Pokemon. Called Beast of Reincarnation, it was first revealed in 2023 and recently showcased at the June 2025 Xbox Games Showcase. It took center stage again at the January 2026 Xbox Developer Direct, where fans got a detailed look at how the game plays and learned its official release date.

During today’s Xbox Developer Direct, the release date for Beast in Reincarnation was announced: summer 2026. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and will be included with Xbox Game Pass from day one. Beast in Reincarnation is a single-player action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan. Players will explore a large world as Emma, a character burdened by a curse, and her loyal animal companion, Koo. As players progress, they’ll unlock new abilities to overcome increasingly difficult challenges. The game features challenging, Souls-like combat, focusing on a unique bond between a character and their dog.

Beast in Reincarnation Reveals New Gameplay Footage & Story Details in Xbox Developer Direct Showcase

While not Game Freak’s first original game, Beast in Reincarnation represents a fresh direction for the studio. During today’s Xbox Developer Direct, they shared a detailed look at the story and gameplay of their upcoming RPG. The game immediately stands out from the Pokémon series with its striking 3D visuals and captivating new world. This latest preview highlights the game’s beautiful graphics and the heartwarming connection between the main character, Emma, and her dog, Koo.

The world of Beast of Reincarnation blends Japanese culture with fantasy and futuristic technology. Emma possesses a special power: she can contain a dangerous plague within herself, which has forced her into exile. While in exile, she encounters Koo, who becomes her loyal companion, though he harbors secrets of his own. Together, they must battle the terrifying Beast of Reincarnation, and it promises to be a difficult fight.

The game’s creators aimed to evoke a range of feelings – warmth, trust, and even loneliness – as players experience the connection between humans and creatures. This new approach to that relationship is set in a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. Beast of Reincarnation also introduces a unique way to explore the environment: the main character, Emma, can use her vine-like hair to climb and swing across obstacles. While we didn’t see much of it, this ability could add platforming challenges to the game’s action RPG combat.

The game features a unique blend of fast-paced action and strategic turn-based combat. Players can customize Emma and Koo with distinct skill sets, allowing for a variety of approaches to battles. You can choose to play stealthily from a distance, engage in close-quarters combat, or combine the abilities of both characters to create powerful strategies.

Game Freak is trying something new with their upcoming game, Beast of Reincarnation. It’s scheduled to launch on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC (via Steam) in Summer 2026, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

Did the recent gameplay footage of Beast of Reincarnation get you hyped? Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-22 21:43