Summary
The second anniversary ofHonkai: Star Railhas been one of the most exciting times to be a fan of the free-to-play RPG, especially since it had a unique concert to start everything off with a bang. Not only did the event embrace almost everything fans loved aboutHonkai: Star Railthrough unique arrangements and live performances, but it also gave players a glimpse at the entireHonkaifranchise’s future with a new game announcement.
After months of rumors that HoYoVerse was developing a game likePokemon, a trailer featuringHonkai’s Kiana andStar Rail’s Blade sending cute creatures into battle has confirmed it. The teaser trailer is the only thing fully revealed so far, but private X accounts have been registered with the name “Honkai: Nexus Anima” which lends well to the game’s concepts. While the term “Nexus” hintstowards HoYoVerse’s crossover elementsin the trailer being part of the final product, thePokemon-inspired game has grounds to take more inspiration fromStar Railthan otherHonkaiinstallments.
Honkai’s Upcoming Pokemon-like Game Could Show Off What HoYoVerse Learned From Star Rail
Considering HoYoVerse’s track record with its previous releases,Nexus Animais almost certainly going to be yet another free-to-play gacha game in the company’s strong lineup.How exactly the gacha system will work, focusing on either critters or character and monster combinations, hasn’t been made clear yet. There’s something to be said about combiningPokemon-like collectible creatures with what’s been criticized as a predatory microtransaction model, but it works well for frequentGenshinandStar Railplayers who enjoy collecting the characters at their own pace.
However,one key link betweenStar RailandPokemonmight be whyHonkaiis taking this next step overGenshin Impact. Out of all of HoYoVerse’s three popular titles,Star Railsits as the only turn-based RPG. More specifically, it is a turn-based RPG that uses elemental weaknesses to emphasize team-building mechanics and drive players to its gacha for stronger types of characters. To fans of Game Freak’s regional adventure, this structure may sound familiar outside the rate-based gameplay.
Star Railalready has a good foundation within it that could help form whatever systemsNexus Animawill use whenever it releases. BetweenZenless Zone Zero,Genshin Impact, andStar Railitself, though, HoYoVerse doesn’t make a habit of using the same mechanics throughout its free-to-play titles. Each one is fundamentally different, which meansHonkai: Nexus Animawill likely have its own gameplay style, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t start with whatStar Railalready does and build upon it.
With what’s known aboutHonkai: Nexus Animaso far, thePokemonsimilarities are almost all but confirmed. HoYoVerse not only has a focus on free-to-play gacha games, butStar Rail’s type dynamics can be seen inGenshinandZZZas well.Honkai: Star Railis arguably the one that defines its character growth and turn-based battles around it the most, though, and considering it’s one of the more profitable entries to theHonkaifranchise, it would make sense for HoYoVerse to use it as a guiding star for the series' future.
Which HoYoVerse Games Could Inspire Nexus Anima
Beyond the one trailer that’s shown, though, there isn’t anything else confirmed forHonkai: Nexus Animayet. While some things are staples that the developers of theHonkaifranchise have used in many of its different titles, each game of theirs typically has its own direction.Star Railplayers likely won’t be too alienatedby whatNexus Animabrings to the table, but they should be prepared for some wholly new mechanics to enter the fray alongside some surprises. HoYoVerse already has adorable animal companions such as Amber’s Baron Bunny inGenshinandStar Rail’s own Topaz and Numby behind them as great examples of what’s likely to come, so there’s a very high chance that a fourth high-earning RPG is on the way, no matter what comes next.
Honkai: Star Rail
WHERE TO PLAY
Board the Astral Express and roam the universe in search of myths and legends. From global interactive entertainment brand HoYoverse comes a new space fantasy RPG. Harness the spirirt of the Trailblaze in a cel-shaded space fantasy adventure where you’ll embark on an unforgettable intergalactic odyssey. You and your fellow Astral Express passengers will hop from world to world, resolve conflicts, form friendships and uncover a wealth of mysteries. In this exciting new free-to-play game, you’ll journey through immense worlds of the unknown and bond with a series of memorable characters. Choose your companions and arrange the ultimate four-person combat team to help you take down a looming threat to the universe.
