Pokémon Developer’s New Action RPG Will Be Available Day-One on Xbox Game Pass This Summer.

Game Freak, best known for the global hit Pokémon series, has shared an in-depth look at its original action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation. First revealed last year, the game was showcased in January's Xbox Developer_Direct stream and is now confirmed to launch this summer on Xbox Series X, PS5, and PC via the Xbox app and Steam. It will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with support for Xbox Play Anywhere.

The story of Beast of Reincarnation is set in 4026 AD in a Blight-ravaged post-apocalyptic Japan, following the journey of two unlikely heroes: Emma and Koo.

Emma is a young woman afflicted by a mysterious corruption known as 'Blight,' granting her the ability to manipulate plant life at the cost of her memories and emotions. Shunned by society, she lives in isolation while fulfilling her role as a Sealer, tasked with hunting creatures known as Malefacts and absorbing their Blight. Koo the dog, meanwhile, is one such Malefact -- a creature that should be Emma’s enemy.

Nevertheless, their meeting takes them on a journey from the eastern lands to the far west, where the pair must confront dangerous Golems, powerful Malefacts known as Nushi, and eventually the titular Beast of Reincarnation itself, the source of all Blight in the world.

Game Freak general producer Shigeru Ohmori calls this "a one-person, one-dog action RPG" as the studio's own initiative to create a brand new experience. Offering Souls-like elements such as focus on dodge and parrying, the combat blends fast-paced action through Emma with command-driven support abilities from Koo.

Successful parries with Emma generate points that can be spent on Koo’s skills, which are selected through a command menu that slows combat. This decision, explained program director Masayuki Onoue, allows players to get some breathing room, letting them reassess and plan their next move. But that's not all, as Emma herself comes equipped with unique Blooming Art abilities thanks to her Blight. She will be able to summon spider lilies and other plants to evade or trap enemies, giving additional tactical options during tough battles.

While Beast of Reincarnation is designed to be challenging, the game will still include three difficulty options: Normal, a more punishing Hard Mode, and a Story Mode with more forgiving parry timing and reduced enemy damage. Customization plays a key role as well, with Spirit Stones offering buffs, alongside new Katanas for Emma and Charms for Koo that further develop your combat style and builds. And don't worry, director Kota Furushima has confirmed with IGN that you can, indeed, pet Koo.

In case you missed its games, this isn't Game Freak’s first attempt to step outside Nintendo and Pokémon shadow. Over the years, the studio has released several multiplatform projects; platformersTembo the Badass Elephant and GIGA WRECKER, the rhythm-action HarmoKnight, and the experimental RPG Little Town Hero, among others. Despite its ambition, unfortunately, none managed to gain significant traction.

But a Souls-like action RPG with a tactical twist and a loyal dog companion? Beast of Reincarnation might just be Game Freak’s most confident genre swing yet -- and its ticket to breaking out of the Poké Ball jail.