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...
