Xbox reveals first detailed look at Beast of Reincarnation — a new action-adventure IP by the creators of Pokémon, coming soon in Summer 2026

Promotional screenshot of Emma facing a Malefact
Emma facing off against one of the "Nushi" Malefacts. (Image credit: Game Freak)

During Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct of January 2026, the famous studio behind the legendary Pokémon franchise, Game Freak, appeared to show off Beast of Reincarnation, a new action-adventure coming to Xbox later this year during the Summer.

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Japan in 4026. In this era, a grand majority of humanity has been wiped out by a parasitic plant called "Blight," and most of Earth's wildlife has been mutated into horrifying monsters called Malefacts.

Beast of Reincarnation - Gameplay Overview | Xbox Developer Direct 2026 - YouTube Beast of Reincarnation - Gameplay Overview | Xbox Developer Direct 2026 - YouTube
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On the gameplay side of things, Beast of Reincarnation is an action-adventure game where you explore massive environments using Emma's "Blighted" powers to traverse precarious terrain and fight hordes of dangerous Malefacts.

Combat will allow the player to defend themselves with sword combos, defensive parries, and slow down briefly to prepare devastating attacks called Blooming Arts, similar to the combat system of Final Fantasy VII Remake.

You can also use this time slowdown mechanic to command Roo to bind enemies or fire off area-of-effect attacks to clear out groups to give you some breathing room.

Beast of Reincarnation - Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 - YouTube Beast of Reincarnation - Reveal Trailer | Xbox Games Showcase 2025 - YouTube
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You will need to master these abilities quickly, as this game will pit you against challenging Malafact bosses called "Nushi".

These are massive beasts that can manipulate the ecosystem around them and will require careful strategies and aggression to defeat and obtain new powers from them.

Will you save the world from the Blight?

Release dates for Beast of Reincation (Image credit: Game Freak)

Emma and Koo will also encounter hostile Golems, friendly human survivors named Brad and Kagura, and a rival swordswoman named Kunai who is somehow allied with a Malefact on their adventures.

If you wish to help Emma solve this mystery and save her world, then check out Beast of Reincarnation when it drops in the Summer of 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Windows and Steam.

It will also be available on Xbox Game Pass (Day One), PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, and will support Xbox Play Anywhere.

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So what do you think of Beast of Reincarnation? Does its premise and gameplay look enticing, or do you need more gameplay trailers and deep dives before deciding to play it?

If you have any thoughts on the matter, let us know in the comments below.


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Alexander Cope
Contributor — Gaming

Alexander Cope is a gaming veteran of 30-plus years, primarily covering PC and Xbox games here on Windows Central. Gaming since the 8-bit era, Alexander's expertise revolves around gaming guides and news, with a particular focus on Japanese titles from the likes of Elden Ring to Final Fantasy. Alexander is always on deck to help our readers conquer the industry's most difficult games — when he can pry himself away from Monster Hunter that is!

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