This is a big one for potential free-to-play users. Early characters seem more than viable enough to progress with.HoYoverse knows how to make a catchy beat. I’ve had at least three different tracks stuck in my head on repeat since the closed beta test started, and I won’t be surprised if there’s more by the end. Even more than Genshin Impact’s ever-expanding map, Honkai Star Rail’s gradually growing world(s) are traversable on a space ship - which means wildly different biomes, easy isolation of story beats, and an excuse for why people aren’t familiar with the Trailblazer when they turn up in an area after having defeated an ancient evil. The Star Rail is the perfect vehicle for staggered content releases.

That said, though, Honkai Star Rail’s initial story is more enthralling than, say, Genshin Impact’s opening hours - and it only gets more intriguing from there. Shocker - Honkai Star Rail borrows elements from Honkai Impact 3rd when it comes to story-telling beats and world design, so it’s not like players didn’t know this was already a serviceable universe to take a break in.

Picking up books and reading the lore is not just interesting, but essential to fully understanding some of the sci-fi elements at play here. Honkai Star Rail’s universe is pretty complex right from the get-go, with lots of unanswered questions swirling within the first half hour of its introduction. Honkai Star Rail continues that trend, with memorable locations and plenty of secrets to learn in them.

Map exploration is one of HoYoverse’s biggest strengths.

Initiating battles is done on an overworld map and allows players to potentially exploit the weaknesses of an enemy before battle even begins, reminiscent of pre-emptively striking foes in the Persona games. Honkai Star Rail borrows a fun element from the Persona series.Players can use ultimates to interrupt the chain of attack, and can even queue them mid-enemy attack if it looks like a series of abilities are beginning that will threaten a specific party member. There are some slight changes to the turn-based experience, for the better.Fans of that kind of classic experience will find a lot to like. HoYoverse knows what its doing with turn-based combat.Honkai Star Rail: 15 Things We Learned In Closed Beta

Honkai star rail closed beta