Long-standing Pokémon dev Game Freak has a brand-new IP in the works: Project Bloom.
Alongside developing the iconic Japanese RPG series, Game Freak has created countless lower-profile releases over the decades.
Brilliant games such as Drill Dozer and Tembo the Badass Elephant have released between Pokémon games. The developer also released Little Town Hero in 2019, a sadly disappointing entry from the studio.
Nevertheless, Game Freak isn’t giving up on its non-Pokémon projects, instead doubling down with its new action-adventure game Project Bloom.
Currently in pre-production, the Pokémon dev is partnering with The Outer Worlds publisher Private Division to bring the game to PC and modern consoles outside of the Nintendo Switch.
Not many details have been revealed regarding Project Bloom, but Game Freak has released a few pieces of concept art that dare to be more gloomy and adult than its typically bright and cutesy past projects.
Project Bloom concept art shows a mysterious protagonist deep inside a massive sprawling forest. Obviously inspired by classic fairy tales, the forest’s trees feature thick roots that crawl up towards the skies.
The new project from the Pokémon dev isn’t expected to release for a number of years. As the next big Game Freak project, Project Bloom is expected to release sometime in 2026.
"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to create new IP that is bold and tonally different from our prior work," said Game Freak director Kota Furushima in a press release. "From the beginning, Private Division was the publisher we wanted to work with on our new game. Their track record and global expertise give us all the confidence to create a sweeping new action-adventure game that we can't wait to share more about in the future."
It’s certainly excited to see a brand-new high budget project from Game Freak that isn’t Pokémon. While recent titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are still fun, it’ll be interesting to see what Game Freak can do on more powerful hardware detached from the restraints of its monster catching franchise.