During the Xbox Developers Direct that was held on January 22, 2026,, Game Freak, the studio most people know as the developer behind countless Pokémon games, gave us a much-appreciated look at its upcoming title, Beast of Incarnation.
For a lot of viewers, this was probably their first real look at the game. For me, it was another glimpse at something I’ve been excited about ever since it was revealed, and there’s a reason it landed on our Most Anticipated Games of 2026 list.
Beast of Incarnation is a fast-paced action RPG starring Emma, the game’s lead heroine, who has the power to take down the twisted creatures standing in her way as she works toward confronting the mysterious Beast of Incarnation itself. At her side is Koo, a companion I originally assumed was just a dog, until the game makes it clear he’s something called a “malefact,” a creature that’s viewed as a threat in Emma’s world. But instead of destroying him, Emma forms a bond with Koo, and the two begin a journey across a world that looks stunning, yet dangerous at the same time.
What makes this title stand out is that it isn’t only about leveling Emma up into the kind of warrior who can survive what this world throws at her. You’re also responsible for Koo. He isn’t just a tag along companion. He’s an extension of Emma, and you can command him during combat to support you in real time. That includes a time slowing command system that lets you decide exactly how you want him to act on the battlefield, which looks like it adds a tactical layer without killing the pacing.
Honestly, the whole thing reminds me of NieR: Automata, which is one of my favorite games of all time. The movement, the combat flow, and the overall vibe hit some of the same notes. And visually, some of the enemy design gives off strong Wild Hearts energy too, especially with the plant-based creatures that look like nature itself decided to fight back.
It’s also important to point out how unusual this game is for Game Freak. The studio has spent most of its life building Pokémon titles, but every now and then it branches out with something completely different. Beast of Incarnation looks like one of those moments where the team wanted to stretch creatively and build a game that isn’t tied to the expectations or limitations of a long‑running franchise. You can feel that freedom in the combat, the tone, and the overall style. It has the energy of a team trying something they’ve wanted to make for a long time.
Now, I already know what some people are going to call this: a Soulslike. And sure, it has elements that might make that comparison easy, like weighty combat and intense enemy encounters. But from what we’ve seen, Beast of Incarnation isn’t trying to be Dark Souls. This looks far more like an action adventure RPG in the NieR lane, where speed, versatility, and smart companion control matter just as much as raw difficulty.
We will be able to pet the dog after he’s turned a creature to shreds. That’s what I want to know.
Beast of Incarnation launches Summer 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and it’s absolutely one of the games I’m keeping a close eye on going into 2026.
