Every video game genre has a dominant title or franchise, and nothing exemplifies this phenomenon more than the “monster collecting” genre andPokemon. This series has been going strong for almost three decades, spawning nine generations of mainline titles and a wealth of spin-off games in different genres and platforms. Some games have tried to challengePokemonfor its throne, likePalworldandTemtem. Now, the popular gacha game developer Hoyoverse is taking a crack at it.
WhilePokemonis the undisputed frontrunner, it wasn’t what pioneered the genre. Games likeShin Megami Tenseipredate it by over a decade, with gameplay that lets players encounter monsters and tame them through combat. However,Pokemonseems to have perfected the formula, with more appealing and adorable critters and a more lighthearted storyline aimed at a younger audience. However,Pokemonseems to be facing fan backlashin recent years for being too easy or not having enough fresh and innovative features in its new releases. As a result, it seems like other developers are circling the franchise in the hopes of getting a piece of thePokemonpie.
Honkai: Nexus Anima is Another Pokemon Challenger
HoYoverse seems to be gunning for the critter collector crowd with its upcoming titleHonkai: Nexus Anima. A teaser trailer for the game showsHonkai Impact 3rd’s Kiana Kaslana walking around with what looks like a pastry turned into a dog and encounteringHonkai: Star Rail’s Blade, with a companion of his own. The two critters then face off in battle. There’s not much to be gleaned from the clip, but it essentially confirms that the game will be aPokemon-like title. Players will likely have the chance to control different characters across the HoYoverse while training and battling all sorts of critters.
Honkai: Nexus Anima is a Logical Step Forward for HoYoverse
HoYoverse’s mainline titles are already filled with adorable critters.Honkai: Star Railhas creatures like the Ingenium Dog Diting, Mem, andAmphoreus’ Chimeras. Meanwhile,Genshin Impacthas a huge roster of pets one would find in real life, like dogs in various breeds, weasels, and foxes.Zenless Zone Zerohas Bangboos and adorable little cats, whileHonkai Impact 3rdalso has various mascots, with the most popular ones being the Homu Family.
ThePokemonformat has also been used inHonkai: Star Railbefore inthe Aetherium Wars event. During this part of the Jarilo-VI storyline, players could use various creatures, like Antimatter Legion troops, Fragmentum Monsters, and even the Silvermane Guard, to engage in turn-based creature combat with other trainers. All things considered, it’s no surprise that the HoYoverse’s next game will be a creature-collecting and battling game. The studio has the assets and the experience it needs to build a game that could appeal to fans of that genre.
Honkai: Nexus Anima’s Release Could be Timed Perfectly
The next mainlinePokemontitle will bePokemon Legends: Z-A, which will release late this year. However, there is no definite date just yet.Honkai: Nexus Animacould get the attention of fans if it beatsPokemonto the punch by launching earlier. The hype forPalworldandTemtemhas also died down in recent months, which is something thatNexus Animacould also capitalize on.
How Honkai: Nexus Anima Could Stack Up Against Pokemon
Pokemonhas a roster of over a thousand species of creatures, and counting.Honkai: Nexus Animacan’t realistically compete withPokemonin this regard just yet.Honkai: Nexus Animaneeds to lean into a niche gameplay feature, likePalworlddoes, if it wants to carve its place in the genre.Palworldcaptured the hearts and minds of fans by introducing base building,putting Pals to work, and battling in real-time. Perhaps HoYoverse could leverage the popularity of its existing characters and provide unique advantages for each trainer. It will be interesting to see the unique features that theHonkai: Nexus Animateam will come up with once the game releases, and whether such efforts will actually be enough to rivalPokemon.
