The new action RPG from the studio behind the Pokémon games is set to release this summer. They showcased the gameplay of their latest project during this year’s Xbox Developer Direct.
What kind of game is this? Beast of Reincarnation is a new action RPG that was announced at the last Xbox Games Showcase in 2025. What many gamers found particularly interesting at that time: Beast of Reincarnation is developed by Game Freak, known primarily for developing the Pokémon games, most recently Pokémon Legends Z-A.
In the new Xbox Developer Direct, Game Freak explicitly states that they can do more than just “only” Pokémon games. Their latest project is set 2,000 years in the future, in 4026. Protagonist Emma and her wolf Koo fight against monsters and mechanical foes in a post-apocalyptic Japan to save humanity from extinction. Along the way, she is supported by growing, strange powers to survive her journey through the dilapidated and ever-changing world.
Emma and Koo are a well-coordinated team living outside the safe colonies, where the rest of humanity has settled, protected from external dangers. The two venture into the dystopian wasteland, where they battle corrupt creatures and even humans – or at least what remains of their humanity.
One year after the initial announcement, the developers now show how the game aims to impress not only with its look but also with its gameplay.
You can watch the trailer for Beast of Reincarnation here:
A beautiful world marked by corruption
What did Game Freak reveal at this year’s Xbox Games Showcase? The appearance of Game Freak and Beast of Reincarnation focused mainly on the themes of inspiration and gameplay. Along with more detailed concept art showing the creatures and the world, the developers spoke primarily about mechanics and combat.
The developers showcase a shared skill tree for Emma and Koo, options for melee and ranged combat, stealth, and a power that connects protagonist Emma even more with her surroundings:
She has vine-like hair that she can use for better mobility, but also as a connection to nature and her surroundings. It almost resembles Avatar, as viewers noted in the live chat.
What attracted attention around the game a year ago? Game Freak and their Pokémon games have long been criticized by fans for their look. Flat textures and low-detail environments are two of the biggest criticisms of the latest games.
With the announcement trailer of Beast of Reincarnation, Pokémon fans could hardly believe that Game Freak was obviously capable of creating truly attractive games.
“They made this game to prove to everyone that they can make good-looking games,” it was said in a Reddit thread to summarize the overall positive sentiment around the look of Beast of Reincarnation. With such a project from Game Freak, hardly anyone expected it.
Beast of Reincarnation resembles, due to its theme and the visuals shown so far, a popular anime film from Studio Ghibli, namely Princess Mononoke. The film is considered one of the studio’s strongest works, and few have fared better than the visually stunning animated film: All Ghibli films ranked by IMDb
