MiHoYo has unveiled teasers for an upcoming Honkai title that appears to feature monster-collecting gameplay. Explore what the trailer reveals and whether this could be the rumored Honkai Nexus Anima project.
New Honkai Game Revealed
Potential Monster Battler Experience
During the Honkai Star Rail concert livestream on May 4, miHoYo showcased characters from their Honkai universe commanding creatures in battle. The 20-second preview featured Kiana from Honkai Impact 3rd and Star Rail's Blade directing monsters in combat, sparking speculation about a potential Pokémon-style gameplay system.
The brief glimpse suggests mechanics resembling monster-collecting battlers or auto-chess strategy games. This direction wouldn't be unprecedented, as both Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail have previously experimented with creature-focused gameplay elements that proved popular with players.
Genshin Impact introduced monster-capture mechanics for its Serenitea Pot housing system and hosted the "Fabulous Fungus Frenzy" event featuring creature battles. Similarly, Honkai Star Rail's "Aetherium Wars" event implemented turn-based monster combat reminiscent of Pokémon's core gameplay loop.
The teaser concludes with silhouettes of familiar characters, potentially including Star Rail's Aventurine, hinting at a crossover experience within the Honkai multiverse. While officially described as a "brand-new Honkai Game," fans speculate whether Genshin characters might eventually join the roster.
Could This Be Honkai Nexus Anima?
The timing of miHoYo's recent "Honkai Nexus Anima" trademark filing has led many to connect it with this mysterious project. While the trademark reveals little concrete information, previous job listings from developer HoYoVerse suggest groundwork for such a title.
September 2024 job postings referenced development of chibi-style life simulations and "fantasy spirit companions," aligning with the creature-collection theme seen in the teaser. These connections have fueled speculation that Honkai Nexus Anima may represent miHoYo's venture into monster-taming gameplay.
Despite the intriguing teaser, definitive details remain scarce. The gaming community continues debating whether this represents Honkai Nexus Anima or an entirely separate project. Given miHoYo's track record of innovative titles, players eagerly await official confirmation about this potentially fresh take on the monster-battler genre.
