At this year's Xbox Game Showcase, we were all surprised when Game Freak, the studio behind the Pokémon games, announced their original title as Project Bloom and has now been changed to Beast of Reincarnation. The game is an action role playing game set in the ruins of the world, releasing in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This is a massive jump for the studio known for the Pokémon series, now venturing into more shadowy and darker lore.

Born from the Gear Project Initiative

Beast of Reincarnation is the latest product of Game Freak’s Gear Project Initiative, launched in 2019 to allow developers within the studio to create new IPs and explore different game development techniques. Previous titles under this initiative, like Giga Wrecker, Tembo the Badass Elephant, and HarmoKnight were smaller in scale. But Beast of Reincarnation is shaping up to be a major leap in ambition, scope, and budget.

A Dark, Twisting World

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan plagued by monstrous creatures and environmental decay. Players control Emma, an outcast known as a “Blighted One,” and her loyal dog companion Koo. As they journey through an ever-changing wasteland where corrupted forests grow from ruins, players will engage in demanding, technical combat while uncovering a story focused on identity, humanity, and rebirth. Game Freak describes the RPG as an expansive one-person, one-dog adventure centered on survival and transformation.

Breaking Away from Nintendo For Now

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the absence of a Nintendo platform. Despite Game Freak’s long-standing relationship with Nintendo, Beast of Reincarnation has not been announced for Switch or its successor. Even more notable is the Day One Game Pass deal, signaling Microsoft’s involvement or at least cooperation on distribution. This could suggest a wider strategic shift for Game Freak as they explore multi-platform publishing beyond Pokémon.

Beast of Reincarnation is expected to arrive in 2026, and with its ambitious scope, narrative focus, and mysterious backing, it may be Game Freak’s most significant non-Pokémon release ever. Fans and critics alike are eager to learn more about both the game and the shadowy publisher behind it.