It’s shocking what Game Freak has been able to do when it steps out of Nintendo’s shadow

by

I was so excited watching the Xbox Developer Direct on January 22, 2026! We finally got a really good look at Beast of Reincarnation, the new action-RPG Game Freak is making – you know, the team famous for Pokémon! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to learn more.

Growing up, I only associated Game Freak with the Pokémon series, so I was really surprised by how different this new game was from everything else they’ve made.

After seeing the game, I learned that Game Freak has created games outside of the Pokémon series before. They’ve actually made a variety of original titles with unique ideas, including games like Pulseman, Giga Wrecker, Drill Dozer, and—believe it or not—Tembo the Badass Elephant.

Beast of Reincarnation feels like a huge step forward for Game Freak. It’s the first game they’ve made with a large AAA budget, and you can really see the difference in quality.

Here are my thoughts on Beast of Reincarnation’s first gameplay showcase.

Setting and Premise

Let’s begin by discussing the world and story of Beast of Reincarnation. It’s set in a future after a global disaster, where a parasitic plant called the Blight has nearly wiped out humanity and transformed animals into terrifying plant-animal hybrids known as Malefacts.

You take on the role of Emma, a young woman born with a dangerous parasite called the Blight. However, she has a unique ability: she can control plants and use them to keep the Blight from harming her.

So, while this ability made Emma incredibly powerful, it came at a huge cost. It basically wiped her memory and stripped away her emotions, and unfortunately, it led most people to fear her. They assumed she was just as dangerous as the Malefacts, and she ended up completely isolated as a result. It’s a really tragic situation, honestly.

However, she’s not on her own. Emma has become friends with Koo, a creature called a Malefact, who surprisingly isn’t aggressive towards people unless provoked.

Working as a team, they journey across the globe to eliminate Blight. They do this by destroying creatures called Malefacts and transferring the parasitic energy into Emma, which makes her stronger. Ultimately, they’re searching for the origin of all Blight – a being known as the Beast of Reincarnation.

During their journey, Emma and Koo will come across towns and villages where they can seek help from others. They’ll also explore the remnants of a fallen world, now overrun with dangerous creatures called Malefacts and ancient, hostile Golems. Along the way, they’ll face off against Kunai, a skilled swordfighter who, like Emma, travels with a Malefact companion.

I find the world and story idea behind Beast of Reincarnation intriguing; it feels similar to the unfortunately unsuccessful game, Wild Hearts.

Both games take place in imaginative, fantastical Japan and feature battles against creatures that are strange combinations of plants and animals. However, Beast of Reincarnation feels more intense and incorporates science fiction themes, such as robotic enemies and the remnants of lost, high-tech societies.

Also, the main character, Emma, seems really awesome. The idea of a solitary samurai who fights with plant-based magic and is accompanied by a plant wolf is unique, and I’m excited to see how that translates into fun and inventive combat.

Combat and bosses

Okay, so let’s get into the combat! A big part of *Beast of Reincarnation* will be fighting these creatures called Malefacts, but it’s not *just* fighting. You’ll also be using Emma’s Blight powers to get around – like exploring destroyed places and overcoming obstacles that would normally stop you. It sounds like her abilities aren’t just for battle, which is really cool!

The game features fast-paced, third-person combat. You’ll use your katana to quickly attack enemies, and perfectly timed dodges and parries will open them up for powerful counterattacks.

Beast of Reincarnation adds a unique twist to battles with Blooming Arts. This system lets you temporarily slow down time, allowing you to choose powerful abilities that can change the outcome of a fight.

Players can give commands like telling Koo to create plant-based attacks that hit multiple enemies, have Koo restrain foes to set up attacks, or have Emma conjure a spider lily to swing from and strike downwards.

The battle system appears well-developed, quick, and incredibly dynamic. It’s similar to Final Fantasy VII Remake, featuring a slowdown mechanic that lets players execute special attacks and direct their teammates.

Players will be able to tailor the game to their preferred combat style. They can learn new skills through skill trees and discover gear hidden throughout the world, which will unlock both passive and active abilities, enhancing their gameplay experience.

What I enjoyed most about the Beast of Reincarnation gameplay reveal was seeing the boss battles. As you play, you’ll explore dangerous areas called Blight Forests, each guarded by a powerful boss enemy known as a Nushi.

These huge creatures are scary, quick, and powerful enough to defeat you in a single blow if you’re not skilled at the game’s combat system.

Plus, reaching them won’t be easy. They can control the Blight Forests where they live, creating enemies and obstacles to stop you from getting through.

The Nushi look really cool and seem like tough opponents, and I can’t wait to discover the powerful abilities players will earn by defeating them. Even without those rewards, Emma and Koo already have incredibly impressive skills.

This game is making me believe in Game Freak again

I was really impressed with Beast of Reincarnation, particularly since I didn’t have high expectations going in and wasn’t a fan of Game Freak’s previous work.

It’s been decades since I last played a main Pokémon game made by Game Freak. The core gameplay hasn’t really changed since the Ruby and Sapphire versions from 2002, and honestly, the series quality has gone downhill. Recent games, like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, even look like they weren’t fully finished, more like something you’d find on a phone.

Adding to everything else, Nintendo’s aggressive lawsuit against Palworld – where they’re attempting to patent basic ideas from monster-catching games – has really turned me off from companies linked to Pokémon, like Game Freak. It’s especially frustrating because Shin Megami Tensei established this genre long before Nintendo’s Pokémon did.

As an analyst, I have to admit I underestimated Game Freak. *Beast of Reincarnation* really opened my eyes – I was wrong to lose faith. This game is demonstrating that when Game Freak isn’t held back, they’re capable of incredibly creative and unique ideas, and really deliver on exciting gameplay.

Game Freak, I apologize for ever doubting you. The early look at Beast of Reincarnation is amazing, and I’m really excited to see what you do with it!

As a researcher following this project, I can share that our game, Beast of Reincarnation, is currently scheduled to release in the summer of 2026. We’re planning to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC – both through Windows and Steam.

The game will be available immediately on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Plus, with Xbox Play Anywhere, you can play on both your Xbox and PC with one purchase.

Read More

2026-01-25 20:12