A follow-up title to the massively successful Honkai: Star Rail from HoYoverse (which also published Genshin Impact) has been announced. Honkai: Nexus Anima is the next entry in the series, and instead of focusing on just human characters, it appears this next entry will be more similar to Pokémon. The game’s announcement comes on the heels of several Honkai Star Rail 3.6 leaks.
According to a press release, Honkai: Nexus Anima blends creature collection with strategic adventure. Players will forge bonds with companions known as Anima, and each of them holds different powers that can be combined in battle. The Honkai: Nexus Anima reveal trailer shows off some of the Anima that can be collected. A closed beta test is also planned.
Honkai: Nexus Anima Is An Upcoming Monster-Catching Game
Gotta Catch ‘Em All (Again)
The reveal trailer focuses more on the Anima than human characters, differentiating itself from Star Rail, and there seems to be a lot of variety. From galloping horses, to pink unicorns, to humanoid plants, to flying dragons, and even a speedy chimera, the Anima on display have sleek designs and appear to be an accepted and normal part of this world, just like Pokémon.
We also get a glimpse at what could be one of the playable human characters: a young woman with purple hair. The unicorn-like creature appears to be her Pikachu, as it sets off into the city to find the pages that blew out the woman’s window as she fell asleep. The trailer ends with the creature bringing back the page and a suite of breakfast foods. The closed beta is set for PC and iOS, and can be registered for now through September 12.
Will Honkai: Nexus Anima Face The Same Fate As Palworld?
It’s Hard To Deny The Similarities To Pokémon
While Nexus Anima appears to have potential (based on one quick trailer), the similarities between what’s been shown and Pokémon are concerning. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have been in several legal battles with Palworld, another creature-collecting title. With yet another game with similar concepts (at least on paper), it remains to be seen if Nintendo will pursue legal action against Nexus Anima, too.
The lawsuits from Nintendo have divided fans of both franchises and a lot of the industry with regard to what is seemingly a vague monopoly on creature-catching mechanics in games. We only have a brief reveal trailer to analyze, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Nintendo and The Pokémon Company do indeed take more legal actions. That is just speculation, though, but hopefully, fans will be able to enjoy Honkai: Nexus Anima without issues.
