Honkai: Star Rail and Honkai Impact 3rd – A Multiverse of Connections, Not a Direct Sequel
The relationship between Honkai: Star Rail (HSR) and Honkai Impact 3rd (HI3) is a complex one, best described as interconnected rather than a straightforward sequel. While HSR draws heavily from the HI3 universe, featuring familiar characters, concepts, and lore, it unfolds within a parallel universe. Therefore, it is NOT a direct sequel in the traditional sense. Think of it as a spiritual successor or a distant cousin, sharing DNA but living entirely separate lives.
Delving Deeper: Understanding the Honkai-verse
The key to understanding this relationship lies in the concept of the Imaginary Tree and the Sea of Quanta, core components of the overarching HoYoverse multiverse. These concepts, first introduced in HI3, suggest that countless worlds exist, branching off from the Imaginary Tree, each a potential reality. HI3, HSR, and even Genshin Impact are all believed to be “leaves” on this vast, branching tree, connected by unseen forces and echoing themes.
This means characters appearing in both HI3 and HSR are not necessarily the same individuals. They are alternate versions, shaped by different circumstances within their respective universes. The exception, of course, is Welt Yang, who acts as a bridge between the two realities.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion stems from the obvious similarities: character names, designs, certain organizations, and even recurring plot elements. HoYoverse intentionally draws on established lore to create a sense of familiarity for HI3 veterans, while simultaneously crafting a fresh experience for new players. This creates a situation where the games feel connected, but require a different lens to truly appreciate. Think of it like watching different adaptations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet – the characters are the same, but the story unfolds in a completely new manner.
The developers at HoYoverse have emphasized that HSR is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with previous Honkai titles. You don’t need to have played HI3 to understand and enjoy the story of HSR. It’s a deliberate choice, allowing the game to stand on its own merits and attract a wider audience.
Honkai: Star Rail – A Fresh Start, Familiar Faces
HSR offers a distinct gameplay experience, shifting from HI3’s action-oriented combat to a turn-based RPG system. This allows for a more strategic and narrative-driven approach. While the underlying lore and shared characters provide a rich backdrop, the core narrative of HSR is self-contained. It follows the journey of the Trailblazer and the crew of the Astral Express as they travel between worlds, investigating the mysteries of the Stellaron.
While it may seem tempting to see connections as foreshadowing, remember they could just as easily be echoes of a similar event. It is likely the writers are banking on familiarity, but that does not mean they are the same event, or that the outcomes will be the same either. The games are linked by the same concepts and a few characters, but overall the outcome of the games remain different from one another.
Ultimately, Honkai: Star Rail isn’t a continuation, but rather a new interpretation of the world of Honkai for newcomers and veterans alike. Both games are available for download at no cost, and are equally fun to play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Honkai Connection
Here are some frequently asked questions that should help you understand the connection between Honkai: Star Rail and Honkai Impact 3rd:
1. Is HSR Welt the same as HI3 Welt?
Yes, Welt Yang in Honkai: Star Rail is the SAME iteration as seen in Honkai Impact 3rd. His story picks up after the events of the “Alien Space” manga and A Post-Honkai Odyssey, where he leaves Earth to protect other worlds. He acts as a direct bridge between the two games.
2. Is Himeko from Star Rail the same as HI3 Himeko?
Himeko in Star Rail is a new version of Murata Himeko from HI3. While there might be initial differences in her role and personality, deeper exploration of the story may reveal more similarities. She is a version of the Himeko that the developers built the HSR world around.
3. Do I need to play Honkai Impact 3rd before Star Rail?
No, playing Honkai Impact 3rd is NOT required to enjoy Honkai: Star Rail. The latter’s main story can stand on its own, even without prior knowledge of HI3 lore. You don’t need to play one to get an understanding of the other, but it may help.
4. Is Honkai: Star Rail canon to Honkai Impact 3rd?
Yes, both games are part of the same canon, but within the larger HoYoverse multiverse. They are connected through the concepts of the Imaginary Tree and the Sea of Quanta.
5. Are Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail connected?
Yes, all three games – Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, and Honkai Impact 3rd – are believed to be connected through the Imaginary Tree, implying that they exist within the same multiverse. However, the nature of that connection is yet to be fully explored.
6. Is Star Rail a parallel universe of Honkai Impact 3rd?
Yes, Honkai Star Rail takes place in a parallel universe with (mostly) alternate versions of previous Honkai characters. It’s not a direct continuation of HI3’s storyline, but operates with different rules and in a new realm.
7. Is Honkai: Star Rail story finished?
The main story for the first two planets is finished, but the Xianzhou Luofu’s arc is still ongoing. Future updates will likely continue the main storyline.
8. Is Star Rail a bubble universe?
Yes, it is suggested that Honkai: Star Rail exists as a bubble universe, akin to a “leaf” on the Imaginary Tree, similar to Genshin Impact. They are all pieces of the same grand cosmic design, but are not inherently related.
9. How are Honkai and Star Rail connected in terms of gameplay?
The gameplay in Honkai: Star Rail is turn-based, while Honkai Impact 3rd is an action-based game. Though the gameplay varies significantly, the underlying mechanics and character development systems share some similarities.
10. Are there any Honkai Impact 3rd characters in Genshin Impact?
While there aren’t direct versions of HI3 characters in Genshin Impact, the game featured a cross-over event where Fischl was introduced as a playable character from Genshin into Honkai Impact 3rd.
11. Is Star Rail a spin-off of Honkai Impact 3rd?
Yes, Honkai Star Rail is a great spin-off of Honkai Impact 3rd. Players are never required to play Honkai Impact 3rd to understand the former game’s plot or characters.
12. What year is Honkai Impact 3rd set in?
The Honkai Impact 3rd story is set in the year 2015 of the Current Era. The lore states that advanced civilizations cycle in and out of existence every 50,000 years.
13. Is Welt and Tesla married in Honkai?
Welt Yang isn’t (canonically) married. A popular theory links him with Nikola Tesla, but the information has no backing to it.
14. What happened to Seele in HI3? Did she become a Herrscher?
Yes, in the latter portion of Honkai Impact 3rd’s story, Seele gains a Herrscher form, named the Herrscher of Rebirth.
15. Does knowing Honkai Impact 3rd make Star Rail easier to understand?
While not necessary, having prior knowledge of Honkai Impact 3rd lore can enhance the overall experience and provide a deeper appreciation for the recurring themes and characters in Honkai: Star Rail.
The connections between the games are deep and may affect one another in the future, so it is impossible to say for sure. However, one can definitely enjoy both games without knowing of the other. The Games Learning Society can provide more insight into how games build off each other and create immersive and engaging experiences. Be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.