Game Freak — the studio behind every mainline Pokémon game since 1996 — is about to drop something completely different. Beast of Reincarnation, the legendary developer’s first action RPG outside the Pokémon universe, launches globally on 4 August 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Xbox Game Pass subscribers get it on day one, and a physical PS5 edition is also confirmed.

What Is Beast of Reincarnation?

Beast of Reincarnation is a story-driven action RPG set in post-apocalyptic Japan in the year 4026. Developed under Game Freak’s internal “Gear Project” initiative — a programme that lets the team explore projects beyond their Pokémon work — it is directed by Kota Furushima and produced by Shigeru Ohmori, two longtime names from the Pokémon series. The publisher is Fictions, the label that also brought Hi-Fi Rush into the world.

The game’s tone is ambitious: “warmth, trust, and loneliness”, in Furushima’s own words. It is the studio’s first release on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and their most technically complex project to date.

A Shiba Inu and the End of Japan

You play as Emma, a warrior known as a “Blighted One” — someone whose body has been transformed by a mysterious corruption called the Blight, with flowering vines growing from her hair that she uses for grappling and traversal. Cast out from the surviving human colonies, Emma travels with her constant companion Koo, a Shiba Inu whose role in the story Game Freak is deliberately keeping under wraps for now.

Together, Emma and Koo are tasked with hunting down and eliminating the titular Beast that threatens the last major human settlement. Along the way they’re joined by allies including Brad, the warrior Kagura, and the mysterious Kunai, a swordsperson who travels alongside a malefact of her own. The setting draws heavily on Japanese iconography — ancient shrines, crumbling highways, and corrupted wildlife — reimagined through the lens of a civilisation that has already fallen.

Soulslike Combat With a Pokémon-Style Twist

Combat is real-time and skill-driven, built around a parry and deflect system with a soulslike rhythm. Successfully parrying builds power for Koo’s special moves, called Blooming Arts — a co-combat mechanic that rewards reading enemy attacks rather than simply dodging them. Emma’s katana can be stacked with elemental effects via Spirit Stones, and her vine-based mobility (double jumps, gap-crossing) opens up three-dimensional combat spaces that typical soulslikes don’t always offer.

Furushima has been explicit that he wanted moments where players can “pause, think carefully, and fight with the tactical mindset of a command-based RPG” rather than relying purely on reflexes. To that end, Beast of Reincarnation ships with three difficulty settings including a Story Mode, making it accessible to players who want the narrative experience without the punishing wall of a traditional soulslike.

Boss encounters are large-scale set pieces against creatures called Nushi, described as Shadow-of-the-Colossus-style confrontations. Enemies include organic malefacts and robotic foes with a dismemberment system for the latter.

PS5, Xbox Game Pass, and PC — Singapore Players, Take Note

Beast of Reincarnation releases on 4 August 2026 across PS5 (including a physical edition), Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get it on day one at no extra cost — a strong value proposition given the Singapore Xbox Game Pass subscription price.

There is no Nintendo Switch 2 version confirmed at this time, which may be a slight sting for fans expecting Game Freak to stay in the Nintendo ecosystem. Pre-orders are open now on Steam and the PlayStation Store. Singapore digital pricing on PSN is expected in line with the US launch price, though at time of writing the SGD price has not been officially listed.

For those still on the fence, the PC Gaming Show on 7 June (streaming now in the US, early 8 June SGT) is set to feature Beast of Reincarnation — so there may be fresh gameplay before the month is out. Check the latest gaming news here for any updates from that showcase.

Last words

Beast of Reincarnation is a genuine left-field swing from a studio Singapore fans have grown up with, and it looks like one of the most distinctive Japanese action RPGs in years. Post-apocalyptic Japan, a Shiba Inu co-pilot, soulslike combat with an accessible mode, and Game Pass day one — the value proposition for Singapore gamers is strong regardless of which platform you’re on. Mark your calendar for 4 August.