Game Freak has officially lifted the veil on its new RPG, Beast of Reincarnation, showing off its first real gameplay during the latest Xbox Developer Direct – and it’s a sharp departure from anything the studio has made before.
Beast of Reincarnation is a one-person, one-dog action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Japan. It follows Emma, an exiled young woman with special powers, and her companion Koo, a wolf-like dog. Together, they must save Japan from a parasitic plant known as “the blight” that’s taking over the world.
A dark fantasy with fast combat and dual-protagonist mechanics
During the Xbox Developer Direct, Game Freak offered a deeper look at Beast of Reincarnation, with General Producer Shigeru Ohmori outlining the studio’s vision for its darkest and most action-focused project to date.
The gameplay reveal puts fast, punishing combat front and center, with precise dodges, heavy melee strikes, and imposing enemy encounters defining the experience.
Set in a bleak world trapped in a constant cycle of destruction and rebirth, the game leans fully into dark fantasy, blending unsettling creature designs (fused with plants) with overgrown, desolate environments.
Beyond combat, Beast of Reincarnation shows a strong RPG foundation, featuring progression systems, weapon variety, and demanding boss fights that reward timing and pattern recognition.
A key mechanic revolves around the bond between Emma and Koo, who share the same Blight Power. While each has its own skill tree, their abilities are designed to complement one another through special techniques known as Blooming Arts, encouraging coordinated play as one attacks and the other builds power.
Best known for the cute, colorful, and simpler Pokemon games – which differ greatly from this new adventure – Game Freak is clearly stepping outside its comfort zone.
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