A new title from Game Freak—best known for the Pokémon game series—Beast of Reincarnation is set to launch this summer. Beast of Reincarnation is a first-person action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, played through the protagonist Emma and her canine companion, Koo.

A newly revealed video shown during Xbox Developer Direct offers a closer look at Emma’s distinctive plant-manipulation action, as well as how gameplay works alongside her companion dog, Koo.

Game Freak General Producer Shigeru Ohmori introduced the project by saying, “Beast of Reincarnation is a new challenge born from Game Freak’s uniquely original planning—created to deliver an experience unlike anything we’ve offered before,” adding, “Through this title, you’ll be able to have a truly new experience.”

Japan, Year 4026—Emma, Born With the Blight

The game is set in Japan in the year 4026. The protagonist Emma was born carrying a disease known as the “blight,” and through it she has gained the power to control plants. Having lost both her memories and her emotions, Emma is shunned by those around her, feared as a dangerous presence, and forced into a life of isolation.

The other main character, Koo, is a creature that poses a serious threat to the world. Emma bears the role of a “Sealer,” tasked with hunting such beings and absorbing their harmful influence into her own body. The two meet by chance and end up fighting against the “Beast of Reincarnation,” the root cause behind every calamity.

Secrets, Companions, and a World Built on Plants and Malefacts

Emma and Koo each carry secrets of their own. As the game progresses, players will meet new allies and experience a deeper, more layered story through them.

The biggest pillars shaping Beast of Reincarnation’s development are “plants” and “malefacts.” Game Freak didn’t treat plants as mere scenery; they were built into the game as a core part of gameplay. Japan was chosen as the setting because it best suited that concept, resulting in a world that fuses Japanese landscapes with sci-fi elements.

Malefacts are lifeforms created by the fusion of plants and animals, and players will encounter them throughout the game.

Two Interlocking Combat Styles: Katana Action + Command Skills

Gameplay combines two styles. Emma delivers fast-paced katana action, while Koo supports her with powerful skills activated through a command-based system similar to a turn-based RPG. If you block an enemy’s attack with Emma, you earn points—and those points can be spent to use Koo’s abilities.

Emma and Koo each have their own skill tree. The design links their actions so that when Emma acts it affects Koo, and when Koo acts it affects Emma. The stronger their bond becomes, the more abilities the two can acquire.

Koo has a wide range of skills designed to handle many different combat situations. Koo’s command menu can be opened at any time, and while selecting skills in the menu, the pace of combat slows down. This allows players to read the battlefield and plan strategically as they play.

“Tempo” as the Core: Pause, Think, and Fight Tactically

What the developers considered most important is the “tempo” of combat created through this approach. Rather than relying only on split-second reactions in tense situations, they wanted to create moments where players can briefly pause, think carefully, and fight with a tactical mindset.

Depth can also be added to combat through spirit stones, katanas, and talismans. Spirit stones grant various effects depending on the player’s actions during battle, while katanas and talismans can be obtained through exploration. Katanas and talismans are for Emma and Koo respectively, and provide unique special bonuses.

Using these different techniques and items, players can develop their own combat style. You can push through fights using only ranged attacks or stealth, put Koo up front, or even play the game relying purely on Emma’s action combat.

Three Difficulty Options, Including Story Mode

Beast of Reincarnation will offer three difficulty settings. In addition to the standard Normal mode, players can choose a very challenging Hard mode and a Story mode. In Story mode, enemy attack power is reduced, and parry timing is made more forgiving.

Game Freak’s new ARPG, Beast of Reincarnation, is scheduled to release in summer 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5. It will also be playable on Xbox Game Pass on Day One.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.