Honkai: Star Rail has already begun to live up to its predecessor in a number of ways. Of course, Genshin Impact's legacy is still unrivaled by most games in the gacha sphere. However, its successors from MiHoYo have certainly begun to catch up in sales, among other things. Honkai: Star Rail has recently announced its largest scale crossover yet, which could again help it outpace Genshin Impact.
Honkai: Star Rail recently announced that it would be commencing a Fate/Stay Night collaboration in Quarter 3 of 2025. This crossover is largely unprecedented. Fate is a burgeoning anime IP the likes of which Honkai: Star Rail hasn't been involved with yet, and it could become the game's largest scale collaboration yet.
Honkai: Star Rail Reveals New Shackling Prison Map and Anime Crossover
Honkai: Star Rail reveals a new map that's scheduled to debut later this summer, in addition to announcing a high-profile anime crossover.
Honkai: Star Rail's Fate/Stay Night Collab May Be its Biggest Crossover Yet
Honkai: Star Rail's Fate Crossover is a Pleasant Surprise, but Not Unprecedented
Honkai: Star Rail's sudden announcement of a Fate/Stay Night collaboration certainly came as a surprise, though the potential has already made itself clear. First and foremost, both Star Rail and Fate have extremely dedicated communities, and it's not hard to imagine there being some overlap there.
Despite this, it's most definitely possible that this collaboration will play out on a relatively small scale. In fact, most previous MiHoYo crossovers have done just that. However, there is a clear difference between Genshin Impact restaurant crossovers and Honkai: Star Rail crossing over with a pretty significant anime series.
Honkai: Star Rail Can Learn from One Genshin Impact Crossover
Honkai: Star Rail has certainly had fewer collabs than other MiHoYo games. Though it's only been out for a few short weeks, Zenless Zone Zero's crossover potential has already been trailblazing at a much faster pace. Likewise, Genshin Impact still seems to have tackled the largest scale crossover so far.
Genshin, Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero all share one thing in common that unites them as peers: due to the nature of gacha games, their highest priority will always be characters. More than anything, games like Genshin Impact survive through appealing character designs. Despite this, Star Rail has never tried its hand at a crossover character, something Genshin has its successors beat at.
Genshin Impact's one and only crossover character was Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn. Although crossover characters seem like a no-brainer for any collaboration, Aloy received a lukewarm reception. The event meant to roll out her inclusion never fully panned out, leaving her to become one of the least played characters in the game.
Honkai: Star Rail Could Feature Fate/Stay Night's Most Popular Characters
MiHoYo has certainly evolved a lot in the years that followed, and now could be the perfect time to flex their muscles once more. A previous crossover character falling short may actually increase the chances of a new one down the line, rather than hold one back. With that being said, Fate/Stay Night is certainly an interesting series to work with, and a worthy choice too.
There are several notable characters from the Fate series who lend themselves very well to crossovers, and this is doubly true for Stay Night in particular. Saber is the face of the series as a whole, and is arguably at her most plot relevant in Stay Night. Other characters from Fate/Stay Night who tend to be involved in crossovers include Rin Tohsaka, and her servant Archer.
The Ideal Route for Honkai: Star Rail's Upcoming Crossover
However, even if the upcoming Honkai: Star Rail event doesn't utilize existing Fate characters, there's an even more compelling route developers could take. Fate heavily revolves around the Holy Grail War, in which any number of magically inclined contestants summon Heroic Spirits to do battle for them.
These Heroic Spirits are Fate's fictionalized versions of historical figures and folk heroes alike. For example, Fate/Stay Night's Saber is a version of King Arthur that was secretly a woman. If Honkai: Star Rail wants to truly swing for the fences, the developers at HoYoverse could work closely with Fate series developers and create brand new Heroic Spirits for the event.
While it's not yet clear what scale the collab will be, the release window may signal that big things are coming after all. It's entirely possible that this crossover only goes so far as a few cosmetics. However, seeing as it's already going to be Honkai: Star Rail's biggest crossover yet, it would be best to make full use of Fate's vast potential.
Honkai: Star Rail
- Released
- April 26, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
They call them, "Aeons" in this galaxy. They construct reality, erase stars, and leave their marks on countless worlds. Together with your companions you'll travel across the galaxy on the Astral Express, following the path once traveled by the Aeons. From here, you will explore new civilizations, meet new comrades, and begin new adventures among countless fantastical worlds. All the answers you seek will be uncovered among the stars.
Well what're you waiting for? Are you ready to begin this trailblazing journey?
Honkai: Star Rail is a new HoYoverse space fantasy RPG. Hop aboard the Astral Express and experience the galaxy's infinite wonders filled with adventure and thrills.
Players will meet new companions across various worlds and maybe even run into some familiar faces. Overcome the struggles together caused by Stellaron and unravel the hidden truths behind it! May this journey lead us starward!
- ESRB
- Teen / Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Turn-Based RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Android, iOS
