Honkai: Nexus Anima – The Next Chapter from miHoYo
Last month, the global gaming community was abuzz when HoYoverse (miHoYo) registered a trademark for a new project titled Honkai: Nexus Anima. Shortly after, the studio stealthily created a website and a series of social media accounts around this title, leading many to believe that this is the next installment of the game series Honkai: Star Rail. As predicted, during the Honkai: Star Rail concert held in Shanghai, miHoYo confirmed they are developing a “completely new Honkai game” and released a 20-second teaser full of hints.
The particularly intriguing point is that the teaser hints at a gameplay style reminiscent of Pokemon or Yo-Kai Watch, where Honkai characters will utilize various creatures for battles. This suggests that Honkai: Nexus Anima is not merely an update but a significant step in expanding the Honkai ecosystem – a realm that miHoYo has been continuously developing since its inception.
From FlyMe2TheMoon (the first game) to Honkai Impact 3rd, every product within the “Honkai universe” has its unique characteristics, gameplay elements, and distinct business models. Clearly, Honkai is not just a foundational concept but also a “child” that miHoYo nurtures and continuously develops.
Genshin Impact Tops Revenue Charts, But miHoYo Faces “Concerns”
Meanwhile, Genshin Impact – miHoYo’s most successful title with over $3.8 billion in revenue in just two years, has not received as much attention as expected. Notably, Genshin Impact is still slated to be the next installment in the Honkai series, but it is now being developed as a standalone project. Since its release in 2020, despite creating a global wave, Genshin has almost become the “sole focus” among miHoYo’s new projects.
With no spin-offs, no additional projects, and even less expansion of the IP through films, comics, or supporting games, the situation is quite stark. While Honkai has transitioned from 2D platformers to action RPGs, Genshin remains confined to a single gameplay model.
Clearly, with a rich roster of characters and the expansive world of Teyvat, Genshin Impact has the potential to develop into various strategy games, casual games, or even interactive animations if it were to adopt a more serious investment approach. To date, this game remains the only one that stands out as the “golden child” in the miHoYo family.
