Beast of Reincarnation: A Unique Action RPG with Difficulty Settings and Dog-Powered Combat Mechanics

Kota Furushima, the director of Beast of Reincarnation, has shared exciting new gameplay insights about this upcoming action RPG featuring a unique partnership between a human and a dog. This marks Game Freak’s first venture into AAA gaming outside the Pokémon franchise.

In a recent interview, Furushima clarified some aspects of the game, which is set to launch in mid-2026. Following a 15-minute gameplay showcase at Xbox Developer Direct 2026, many speculated whether Beast of Reincarnation would fall into the soulslike category due to its focus on parrying and design elements. However, Furushima confirmed that the game will feature adjustable difficulty settings, a linear progression, and no online components.

Describing the game’s structure, he stated, “It’s a long journey with a wide variety of different environments, so you can think of it as one long, very wide path. Instead of a completely open world, it’s more like a road to Kyoto divided into ‘district’ levels.”

Furushima emphasized the importance of the bond between the player and their canine companion, Koo, which is why online features were intentionally left out. “Because the relationship between the person and the animal is so important,” he noted, “we deliberately didn’t include any online elements.”

Players will have the option to select their difficulty level, but they can also tailor their experience by choosing different passive skills. “We’ve designed it to be enjoyable for those who may not excel at action games,” Furushima explained. “If you’re unsure, I recommend starting on a lower difficulty. With the skill trees and the support Koo provides, players can discover their own strategies to make the game easier.”

Koo plays a pivotal role in the combat system, blending real-time and turn-based mechanics. When Emma parries attacks, she accumulates points that enable Koo to unleash a Bloom Art ability, pausing time for players to choose their next move and target.

As players deepen their bond with Koo, they can unlock additional passive skills. “At the beginning, you’ll have just one skill slot,” Furushima shared. “But as Koo’s affection grows—through feeding and petting—you’ll gradually unlock more slots, up to six in total. Show him lots of love to increase that affection.”

So, it seems petting the dog is not just encouraged—it’s essential.

Game Freak has clarified that their goal with Beast of Reincarnation wasn’t to create an anti-Pokémon experience; it simply evolved that way.