Beast of Reincarnation is an upcoming Science Fantasy Action RPG developed by Game Freak and published by Fictions, set to be released for the Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on August 4, 2026.
The year is 4026. Humanity is on the verge of collapse after mysterious beasts corrupting the land with unnatural growth descended upon the Earth. Among those who remain is Emma, a young Japanese woman who is cursed with a similar supernatural power as these creatures, and is thus branded as the Blighted One by her fellow survivors. Fated to bring an end to the fabled Beast of Reincarnation, Emma and her canine companion Koo must now begin a journey across a devastated world, where the will of the forest reaches beyond the horizon, to hone her abilities and save humankind.
Previews: Announcement Trailer
, Gameplay Overview - Xbox Developer Direct 2026, Release Date Announce Trailer, Pre-Order Trailer, IGN Gameplay Preview
This game provides examples of:
- After the End: According to the narration in the reveal trailer, the game is set in the 41st century, after the Earth has been ravaged by creatures that have the ability to spontaneously spread flora on the ground they tread.
- All of the Other Reindeer: As stated in the Developer Direct, Emma possesses a special ability to kill malefacts and seal their blight within her body; this causes her to be feared and live in isolation, far from the colonies where people live.
- Antagonist Title: The titular "Beast of Reincarnation" is named by the narrator in the announcement trailer as the foe Emma is fated to destroy.
- Botanical Abomination: The organic beasts seen in the announcement trailer are varieties of terrifying plant monsters.
- Brain Uploading: The Xbox Developer Direct reveals that what remains of humanity are ruled by Golems, who are humans who have had their souls transplanted into machines, though some have undergone soul degradation and have become mindless automations that need to be taken down.
- Creator Provincialism: The Developer Direct highlights that the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Japan, with a Famitsu interview afterwards revealing that Emma and Koo's journey takes her from Kanto to Kyoto (the Kanto region being home to Tokyo, where Game Freak is located).
- Extendable Arms: A robot enemy in the announcement trailer is able to stretch its arm out to attack Emma.
- Exty Years from Publication: The game is set to release in 2026, with the narrator in the trailer dating the in-universe setting as being 2000 years forward.
- Fertile Feet: In the announcement trailer, one of the beasts is seen causing plant life to grow as it walks, only for it to wither and die in seconds.
- A Girl and Her X: The Developer Direct states that the game is the story of Emma and her wolf partner Koo, with the game's marketing even describing it as a "one-person, one-dog action RPG."
- Grappling-Hook Pistol: A shot from the announcement trailer shows off Emma extending roots from her arms to grab an enemy and launch herself towards it.
- Half the Man He Used to Be: One scene from the announcement trailer has Emma performing a Finishing Move where she bisects a robot with her katana.
- Loyal Animal Companion: The reveal trailer shows Emma's canine friend, a large white wolf named Koo, which the Developer Direct reveals is also your partner in combat. The official description states that Emma and Koo's bond will grow over the course of their journey, unlocking greater power.
- Magic Hair: Overlapping with Prehensile Hair. The Developer Direct shows that Emma can extend her hair to form a platform she can run on, and a scene shows her hair extending and bonding with a plant while she lies unconscious.
- Mecha-Mooks: Several of the enemies Emma fights in the announcement trailer are humanoid robots.
- Planimal: As shown in the Developer Direct, plant-animal hybrids known as "malefacts" roam throughout the world, with Koo herself being one.
- Science Fantasy: The announcement trailer shows the supernatural beasts Emma must face juxtaposed against futuristic humanoid robots.
- Skill Scores and Perks: As seen in the Developer Direct, Emma and Koo share a skill tree that allows them to develop new abilities, such as Koo's various Blooming Arts.
- When Trees Attack: In addition to the giant hulking nature beasts, Emma is seen fighting giant flowers in the announcement trailer.