HoYoverse, the maker of popular gacha games like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, is working on a brand-new free-to-play title called Honkai: Nexus Anima. Originally teased by the company during the 2025 Honkai: Star Rail concert, this game is the next major installment in the studio's long-running Honkai series. Unlike the last entry in the franchise, however, Honkai: Nexus Anima is going to take a considerably different approach to the formula that HoYoverse has established in its recent titles. While Honkai: Star Rail was more of a traditional turn-based RPG, Honkai: Nexus Anima is going to be an adventure strategy game with creature-collecting elements, somewhat like Pokemon.
In Honkai: Nexus Anima, players assume the role of a mysterious traveler who escapes from captivity and embarks on a journey to collect Anima, Pokemon-like creatures who can aid them in both combat and exploration. These Anima, as HoYoverse describes, are all said to have unique abilities, each of which is inspired by the concepts that they embody. Players can combine their abilities in combat to unleash powerful attacks that can defeat their enemies with ease. Judging by this description, some may expect Honkai: Nexus Anima to play exactly like the mainline Pokemon games, but combat in this title is actually completely different.
Honkai: Nexus Anima is Like Pokemon, But With Autochess Battles
Battles in Honkai: Nexus Anima are not simple, one-on-one affairs, as they are in many RPGs. Instead, this game features an autochess battle system, similar to the one found in Riot Games' Teamfight Tactics. Autochess, for those out of the loop, is a type of strategy video game in which players place characters on a battle stage and let them automatically fight against opposing enemies. While there are some autochess modes in Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, Honkai: Nexus Anima will be the first game from HoYoverse that is entirely centered around the concept of autochess itself.
Honkai: Nexus Anima Features a Large, Explorable World Filled With Various Minigames
Some players may find autochess battles to be much less immersive than the turn-based and real-time combat systems seen in HoYoverse's previous titles. Fortunately for them, autochess isn't the only thing that Honkai: Nexus Anima has to offer. As can be seen in the recent gameplay trailer for HoYoverse's upcoming title, players will not only be able to explore a large world as their customizable character, they will also be able to play as Anima in certain minigames. These minigames will allow players to engage in various fun activities, such as racing against other Anima, shooting at floating beach balls, and even destroying buildings.
HoYoverse Will Host a Best Test for Honkai: Nexus Anima on iOS and PC
Honkai: Nexus Anima doesn't have a release date yet, but HoYoverse has confirmed that the game will be available on both PC and iOS. The company plans to hold a beta test for Honkai: Nexus Anima on both platforms in the near future. Players who want to take part in this test have to register for it on the game's official website before September 12. The test, according to HoYoverse, will only be available in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese, but more language options will be added to the game later on.
HoYoverse hasn't announced console ports of Honkai: Nexus Anima yet, but it's likely that the game will make its way to PlayStation and/or Xbox eventually.
Honkai: Nexus Anima Could Rival Recent Pokemon Mobile Games in Terms of Popularity
While Honkai: Nexus Anima may not be the exact same as Pokemon, the game has a legitimate chance at competing with the recent Pokemon mobile games in terms of popularity. Almost all of HoYoverse's gacha titles have done exceptionally well from a commercial standpoint. The games have attracted millions of players worldwide, and they've generated billions of dollars in revenue in their collective lifetimes. Like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero before it, Honkai: Nexus Anima is almost certain to be another big hit for HoYoverse, and it may even catch the attention of some Pokemon fans in the long run.
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
