The Pokémon Studio Made a Dark Action RPG — Beast of Reincarnation Is Here

Beast of Reincarnation is here, and it is not what you’d expect from the studio behind it. Game Freak — the developer of Pokémon — just launched a dark, mature action RPG. The game unlocked in the U.S. on the evening of Aug. 3 and goes live worldwide Aug. 4.

This is a big swing. Game Freak has been synonymous with Pokémon for decades. Now it’s trading pocket monsters for post-apocalyptic Japan, and the result is the studio’s first major action RPG.

What is Beast of Reincarnation?

Beast of Reincarnation is a single-player action RPG set in a ruined, post-apocalyptic Japan. It leans dark and mature, which marks a clear break from Game Freak’s family-friendly reputation. The studio showed it off recently at the PC Gaming Show, pairing the footage with a developer interview.

In other words, this isn’t a spin-off or a side experiment dressed up in familiar branding. It’s a full, original swing at a genre Game Freak has never really tackled.

Where can you play it?

You can play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. It’s also on Xbox Game Pass from day one, so subscribers can jump in at no extra cost.

When does it unlock?

The game goes live worldwide at 00:00 UTC on Aug. 4. In the U.S., though, it unlocked earlier — the evening of Aug. 3, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. So many players can already start.

Why it matters

Here’s the interesting part. Game Freak makes Pokémon, one of the biggest franchises on the planet — and about as far from “dark and mature” as games get. So a grim action RPG from that same studio is a genuine statement. It signals that Game Freak wants to be known for more than one thing.

Whether Beast of Reincarnation becomes a new pillar for the studio or a one-off experiment, it’s the boldest step Game Freak has taken outside Pokémon in years. And it’s playable right now.

Photo: Courtesy of Game Freak