MeinMMO editor Marie Friske is a huge fan of Genshin Impact. She was therefore eagerly awaiting the new space RPG from Genshin developer HoYoverse: Honkai: StarRail. This is your first impression of the new game.
On April 26, 2023, the time had finally come and the big release of Honkai: Star Rail was on the agenda. For weeks I’ve been looking forward to the latest RPG from HoYoverse, which had already completely picked me up with Genshin Impact.
That day, I couldn’t wait to jump into the game right after work and get my first taste of Honkai: Star Rail. The “just have a look” turned into a long look into the night and I can draw a first conclusion for myself and you.
Here’s a trailer for Honkai: Star Rail:
Official Release Trailer – “Interstellar Journey” – Honkai: Star Rail
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This is how the journey starts
The journey begins at the Herta Space Station, where players are thrown straight into the action and confronted with an invasion. Then you have to choose: Similar to Genshin Impact, you can choose between a female and a male main character with whom you start the space journey.
In fact, my prior knowledge of Genshin Impact helps me quickly become familiar with the various features in Honkai: Star Rail. Similar to the primordial rock, there is the Stellar Jade in the new RPG. Instead of Fates, you use Star Rail Passes to pull on the various gacha-style characters.
The characters are also the focus here
Also, the focus on the characters and the way you learn more about them throughout the game feels familiar – and I really like it.
I quickly fell in love with the lively March 7th and the stoic Dan Heng, who accompany me on the journey, and I wonder what secrets the characters are hiding, especially the mysterious Kafka.
As a charming, small feature, I particularly like the SMS exchange with the different characters, which also reflects their peculiarities. “World” is my personal Wikipedia, which explains everything down to the smallest detail on every screenshot. The communication of the Astralexpress family is like a colorful group chat among friends.
The news function as a nice little feature
Honkai: Star Rail is more self-deprecating than Genshin Impact
What I find entertaining in Honkai: Star is the self-deprecating nature of the game. Even in Genshin Impact there were always small humorous details and allusions, such as a character named “Ella Musk” or the achievement “Boared to Death” when you are killed by a wild boar.
Honkai: Star Rail takes it up a notch, incorporating various references and humorous details, such as conversations with trash cans, that break up the serious story of the eons.
The combat system is relaxed
Combat in Honkai: Star Rail is much more passive and relaxed. The participants carry out their actions one after the other with a single click. Your squad members have special abilities. An ultimate attack à la Genshin Impact, which is executed in spectacular animations, should not be missing either.
So I can let some fights run completely automatically and go get new snacks while my troop grinds items for me.
Single player with friends system
Unlike Genshin Impact, you play through Honkai: Star Rail alone. Since I also like to play single player titles, this is not a problem for me. On the other hand, if you want a lot of interactions with others, you will probably be disappointed here.
But you have a little indirect exchange with other players through the friends system. Here you can send and accept requests to other people.
You can also set up a “support figure” that your friends and other players can use for battles as a teammate. You will then receive rewards as a thank you.
A fun alternative to Genshin Impact
Honkai: Star Rail is similar to Genshin Impact in many mechanics, such as the items, materials and lastly the gacha system. The games also overlap with the strong focus on the characters, the opportunities for exploration and small hidden details.
So if you’ve already played HoYoverse’s multiplayer title, you’ll discover many parallels and you’ll find your way around quickly.
However, the space RPG also has its very own charm, with the new, lovable characters, the self-deprecating manner and the strategic focus.
I highly recommend Honkai: Star Rail to Genshin Impact fans who also enjoy turn-based combat and enjoy solo play.
The new RPG will never be able to completely replace Genshin Impact for me, but the two games are too different for that. However, I think Honkai: Star Rail is a great space adventure that I have taken to my heart in addition to Genshin Impact.
Here’s how I fell in love with Genshin Impact:
That’s how I discovered my love for Genshin Impact