Pokemon Creator Game Freak Introduces New 'One Person, One Dog' Action RPG

While veteran game developing studio Game Freak is easily known for the Pokemon franchise, their history on software production and desire for innovation runs deep. Their newest project, Beast of Reincarnation, revealed during Xbox's 1-22-2026 Developer Direct, aims to approach the action/adventure genre from a new light. It will be the first AAA title produced by Game Freak outside of the Pokemon franchise. After its initial unveiling during the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase, this is the first substantial gameplay footage highlighted.

Beast of Reincarnation will be directed and written by Koto Furushima, who as previously worked as the battle planner and sound manager for various Pokemon games. Spending six years in development, the staff placed a great emphasis on this project's scale, making it one of their biggest games they have ever produced. Based on the gameplay seen, it appears in the same vein of open world action RPGs like Code Vein, Black Myth: Wukong, and Nioh.

In a futuristic post-apocalyptic Japan, exiled individual Emma and her loyal companion Koo may be the last hope for humanity's survival. With the aid of her powers to control the environment, it's up to the pair to battle a creature that has blighted the natural world.

"Game Freak has always approached plants, animals, and nature with sincerity," said Erika Kuga, Beast of Incarnation's art director. "Plants became the core motif for something that could freely change shape, becoming as sharp as a weapon while still retaining beauty. Not only did we incorporate beautiful plants into the landscape, but we also made them part of the play."

Traits of Emma's abilities involving the plants can be seen purifying the environment, leaping across obstacles, and aiding her and Koo in combat. Speaking of the combat, Beast of Incarnation blends real time action with turn-based elements. When unleashing Blooming Art, Emma is presented with battle options, such as using spider lilies to perform an aerial plunge attack. Time also freezes, providing you with an opportunity to use Koo's combat mods to strengthen attacks. I am very intrigued with this hybrid style of combat. Having played the action RPG Mistwalker Studios' The Last Story for the Nintendo Wii, a blend of action-based with strategic selection options can add some amazing depth to a battle system.

Beast of Reincarnation is planned for a release in the middle of 2026 for the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and Windows. It's fascinating that there appears to be no plans for this Game Freak title to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, as of this writing.