Genshin Impact is a highly acclaimed open-world action role-playing game developed by miHoYo (now HoYoverse). Honkai: Star Rail is a new HoYoverse space fantasy RPG that was released in 2023. It is the fourth instalment in the Honkai series, and it features both new characters and alternate versions of characters from Honkai Impact 3rd. In this game, you can visit different worlds, meet new companions, and embark on a Trailblaze trip across the universe. You can even create your own Stellaron, a starship capable of traversing the stars.
Genshin Impact Versus Honkai: Star Rail
Both games share features such as anime-style artwork, a gacha system, and open-world exploring. They do, however, differ in certain ways, such as the setting, battle system, and storytelling.
Honkai: Star Rail is set in a futuristic sci-fi setting where you can attack foes with guns, mechas, and even spaceships. Genshin Impact takes place in the stunning fantasy realm of Teyvat, where players take on the role of the Traveller, exploring breathtaking vistas, solving riddles, and unravelling the mysteries of this large and diverse universe. To fight foes, you can utilise just a handful of weapon types such as swords, arrows, and even magic.
Honkai: Star Rail has a fast-paced turn-based RPG combat system combining a plethora of weapon and damage types. Genshin Impact, on the other hand, has a real-time, strategic, elemental action-based combat system, where you can combine different elements with your characters to create elemental reactions.
Honkai: Star Rail follows the main protagonist and their allies on their adventure in a more linear and character-driven plot. The story in Genshin Impact is more branching and world-driven, allowing you to explore different places and interact with numerous NPCs.
Why Many Genshin Impact Players Have Flocked to Honkai Star Rail
The reason many Genshin Impact players have flocked to Honkai: Star Rail is that even in aspects where both games are similar- like the gacha system and the resin system- they have been optimised and revamped for a fresh and more fulfilling experience in Honkai: Star Rail. Some players of Genshin Impact have even gone as far as saying that all their complaints about Genshin Impact have been addressed to and fixed in Honkai: Star Rail.
Additionally, players have also enjoyed the absence of a loud, shrill, talking floating Paimon equivalent. They also appreciate that the HSR protagonist is actually strong and useful in battle, unlike the Traveler who’s not worth building and using as he’s far outclassed by even 4 stars in Genshin. The HSR protagonist also has actual dialogue and the dialogue in HSR, in general, is very funny and lively.
Regardless, both games have their own merits and flaws, and they appeal to various sorts of players. Honkai: Star Rail’s action-packed gameplay and sci-fi backdrop may appeal to some players. Because of its deep universe and fantasy background, some players may instead prefer Genshin Impact. Some players may enjoy both games for their shared HoYoverse lore and crossover events because as all fans know by now- Hoyoverse don’t miss.