《輪迴之獸》（Beast of Reincarnation）是由GAME FREAK開發的高難度動作角色扮演遊戲，預計於2026年推出，登陸PlayStation 5、Windows與Xbox Series X/S 平台，並將於發售當天加入Xbox Game Pass。本作最引人注目的地方，在於它是 GAME FREAK首款跳脫《寶可夢》系列框架的AAA級原創作品，也象徵這家老牌日本開發商在創作路線上的重大轉向。

故事背景設定在西元4026年的日本。在遙遠的未來，世界因為一種名為「腐化」的災厄而崩壞，自然失序、文明瓦解，日本列島化為充滿怪物與異變生態的末日荒土。人類幾近滅亡，只能在殘破的大地上苟延殘喘。在這樣的世界裡，最後的希望被寄託在一名背負「染疫者」詛咒的流浪少女艾瑪，以及她身旁始終不離不棄的小狗夥伴「酷」身上。

艾瑪的身分被稱為「封印者」，她體內潛藏著名為「枯萎」或「腐化」的力量，能操縱植物的生長與變異，既是詛咒，也是她在這個世界中生存與戰鬥的關鍵。旅途中，玩家將與艾瑪與酷一同穿越不斷變化的地貌，危險的森林可能在轉瞬間吞噬荒原，原本死寂的大地也可能突然甦醒。隨著旅程推進，兩者之間的羈絆逐漸加深，而艾瑪體內的神秘力量也一步步覺醒，牽動著世界命運與「人性」本質的深層命題。遊戲並未單純描寫英雄拯救世界的故事，而是透過孤獨、共生與犧牲，探討人在毀滅後仍能否找回自身存在的意義。

在操作與玩法上，被官方形容為「一人一犬」的動作角色扮演體驗。玩家將同時操控艾瑪與酷進行戰鬥與探索，戰鬥系統強調精準操作與高風險回報，整體節奏偏向硬派。遊戲中的敵人種類多樣，從巨大畸變生物、受腐化影響的野獸，到帶有科技感的機械敵人，每一場戰鬥都要求玩家熟悉敵人行為、掌握閃避、反擊與技能施放時機。這種設計風格常被拿來與《隻狼：暗影雙死》、《尼爾：自動人形》以及《黑神話：悟空》等作品相比，強調技巧與學習曲線，而非單純堆疊數值。

酷在戰鬥與探索中並非裝飾性角色，而是艾瑪的重要搭檔。牠能協助干擾敵人、尋找路線，甚至在關鍵時刻影響戰局。艾瑪操縱植物力量的能力，也能用於環境互動，例如生成藤蔓、開闢新道路，或將自然之力轉化為攻擊手段，使戰鬥與地圖探索緊密結合。

從美術與氛圍來看，呈現出濃厚的日本末世幻想風格，自然與毀滅並存的畫面常被外界拿來與吉卜力工作室作品《魔法公主》相比。蒼翠卻扭曲的森林、荒蕪的城市遺跡，以及角色孤獨前行的身影，構成一種既殘酷又詩意的視覺體驗，強化了作品中對自然、人類與循環命運的描寫。

市場評價方面，雖然遊戲尚未正式發售，但自從公開實機預告後，已在全球玩家與媒體間引發高度關注。許多人對 GAME FREAK 能否成功駕馭高難度動作 RPG 抱持審慎期待，一方面對其脫離《寶可夢》後的創作野心感到興奮，另一方面也關注其技術表現與完成度。整體而言，市場普遍認為《輪迴之獸》有潛力成為GAME FREAK形象轉型的代表作，若能在戰鬥手感、敘事深度與世界塑造上達到預期，將可能成為 2026 年最具話題性的日系動作角色扮演遊戲之一。

總結來說，《輪迴之獸》不僅是強調技巧與挑戰性的動作RPG，更是一段關於末日、羈絆與人性的旅程。在崩壞的日本大地上，艾瑪與酷一步步前行，而旅程的終點究竟是救贖、輪迴，還是新的毀滅，正等待玩家親自揭曉。

Beast of Reincarnation is a high-difficulty action role-playing game developed by GAME FREAK, scheduled for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, with availability on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The title has drawn significant attention as it represents GAME FREAK’s first AAA original project outside the long-running Pokémon franchise, marking a major creative shift for the studio.

The story is set in Japan in the year 4026. In this distant future, the world has collapsed due to a catastrophic force known as “corruption,” which has devastated nature and dismantled civilization. Japan has become a post-apocalyptic land overrun by monsters and distorted ecosystems, where humanity teeters on the brink of extinction. In this desolate world, the last hope for mankind appears to rest with a wandering young woman named Emma and her loyal canine companion, Koo.

Emma is known as a “Sealer,” a figure burdened by the curse of infection yet gifted with mysterious powers tied to blight and decay. She can manipulate plant life, turning what should be a curse into a means of survival and combat. As Emma and Koo journey through ever-shifting landscapes, danger is constant—forests may suddenly emerge from barren wastelands, and lifeless ground can awaken without warning. As they push deeper into the unknown, the bond between the girl and her dog grows stronger, while Emma’s latent powers begin to awaken. Rather than presenting a simple tale of heroism, the narrative explores themes of humanity, coexistence, loneliness, and sacrifice, questioning what it truly means to remain human in a world after ruin.

In terms of gameplay, Beast of Reincarnation is described as a “one-person, one-dog” action RPG. Players control Emma while working closely with Koo during combat and exploration. The combat system emphasizes precision, timing, and mastery, offering a challenging experience that rewards skill and learning rather than brute force. Enemies range from massive mutated beasts and corrupted creatures to mechanical foes, each demanding careful observation and tactical responses. Comparisons have frequently been drawn to titles such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, NieR: Automata, and Black Myth: Wukong, reflecting its focus on demanding, technique-driven action.

Koo is far more than a passive companion. The dog actively assists in battle, distracts enemies, helps locate paths, and can influence combat outcomes at critical moments. Emma’s plant-based abilities are also deeply integrated into both combat and exploration, allowing players to create pathways, manipulate terrain, and turn natural forces into weapons. This design tightly weaves environmental interaction into the core gameplay loop, making traversal and combat feel interconnected.

Visually, the game presents a distinctive post-apocalyptic Japanese aesthetic where beauty and destruction coexist. Lush yet twisted forests, ruined urban remains, and solitary figures moving through vast landscapes create a haunting atmosphere. The art direction and thematic tone have often been compared to Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, particularly in how the game portrays the fragile relationship between humanity and nature, as well as the idea of cyclical destruction and rebirth.

Although the game has yet to be released, early market reception has been highly attentive and cautiously optimistic. Players and critics alike are intrigued by GAME FREAK’s ambition and curious whether the studio can successfully deliver a technically polished, high-skill action RPG outside its traditional comfort zone. Expectations are especially focused on combat responsiveness, narrative depth, and world-building. Many see Beast of Reincarnation as a potential turning point for GAME FREAK’s identity, and if it meets its promise, it could become one of the most talked-about Japanese action RPGs of 2026.

Overall, Beast of Reincarnation is not only a challenging action RPG but also a reflective journey through a ruined world shaped by loss, rebirth, and human connection. As Emma and Koo advance across the devastated land, what awaits them at the end of their journey—redemption, reincarnation, or further destruction—remains a mystery for players to uncover themselves.