MiHoYo is once again taking the spotlight with a brand new release in its HoYoverse universe of games, this time with their new Honkai: Star Rail. As is expected from games in the series, Star Rail was poised to take the mobile market by storm, as well as capture the attention of the PC gaming crowd with a multiplatform release, offering the engaging and thrilling mechanics of mobile games, but with all the quality and production values of PC games. The result is a game that is not only fun to play, as is expected from MiHoYo’s games, but also looks absolutely fantastic, with stunning 3D environments and models, along with the smoothest and most flashy animations, both in and out of combat. Play Honkai: Star Rail on your PC or mobile without downloads! Click and start playing instantly for a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Table of Contents

1. A Gorgeous Art Style With Breathtaking Visual Quality
2. An Exciting Developing Story Coupled With Multiple Choices That Affect the Narrative
3. An Intricate Combat System With Layers of Strategy
4. A Wide Variety of Characters and Team Combinations
5. Beautifully-Detailed Worlds With Lots to See and Learn

If you’ve ever played Genshin Impact or Honkai Impact Third, then you probably already know the level of quality you can expect from Star Rail. We even wrote a Honkai: Star Rail expectations guide where users could learn what they were going to find as soon as this new fantasy sci-fi game launched. And now that Star Rail is out and available for everyone to download and play, both on PC with BlueStacks or on the official game client, as well as on mobile devices, it’s time to dive in and see what all the fuss is about.

With that being said, if you’ve been interested in this title since it was announced and want to get into the hype and see what it has to offer, then this article is for you. Keep reading to check out our impressions of this new MiHoYo game in our Honkai: Star Rail review.

Let’s begin!

A Gorgeous Art Style With Breathtaking Visual Quality

MiHoYo’s signature visual style has been beautifully translated into Honkai: Star Rail. The art direction is stunning, with high-quality character models, detailed environments, and breathtaking special effects that really immerse you into the world. The character designs are especially noteworthy, with each one having their own unique look and personality that adds to the overall charm of the game. Even the 2D art for the character portraits and UI design are impressive, and help to create a cohesive visual experience that is truly top-notch.

If you play Honkai: Star Rail on PC with BlueStacks, you’ll be able to fully appreciate the game’s gorgeous graphics. Not only can you enjoy the game on a larger monitor, but you’ll also have access to the highest graphical settings without sacrificing performance. Plus, BlueStacks offers a range of tools and features that can enhance your gameplay experience, such as keyboard and mouse controls for precise movement and faster reactions, as well as the ability to use multiple instances for multitasking. Overall, Honkai: Star Rail is a visual feast that is sure to impress even the most demanding users. Despite being a mobile game in part, this title definitely looks and feels like a quality console or PC game.

An Exciting Developing Story Coupled With Multiple Choices That Affect the Narrative

Without getting into spoilers—because we believe these stories are better enjoyed by going in blind—we can safely say that Honkai: Star Rail offers a quality story that will engage the users that actually care about this aspect. From gorgeous pre-rendered cutscenes with top-notch production values to in-game cutscenes where the characters are actually animated to act out their scenes, the storytelling in this game leaves little to be desired.

We’re well aware that most players don’t really pay much attention to the story when playing mobile games. However, when it comes to Honkai: Star Rail, we believe that this story is not only interesting, but it’s actually very polished and localized properly. As such, for those who like to immerse themselves in the worlds of these games, Star Rail’s plot and narratives definitely add a lot to the game’s overall offering.

An Intricate Combat System With Layers of Strategy

Star Rail features a turn-based tactical combat system where each team takes turns attacking each other until only one is left standing. While this combat system isn’t anything new, it combines several aspects to create an intricate gameplay experience. These elements include elemental weaknesses that can be exploited to “break” enemies and leave them incapacitated and suffering from additional effects every turn. Moreover, another aspect is the skills system in which all your characters draw from the same skill point pool, making you think about how best to use your skills for the battle at hand. Additionally, by attacking and taking damage, your characters will slowly charge their ultimate skills, powerful abilities that can turn the tide of battles. The interesting part about these ultimates is that they can be used at any moment—even during the enemy’s turn—adding yet another layer of intricacy.

Not only can players break their enemies’ defenses by using the right elements, but also depending on the elements used, the enemies will suffer additional effects upon getting broken. For example, breaking an enemy with a fire weakness will set them ablaze and cause them to take damage over time. Alternatively, breaking them with an ice weakness will freeze them solid, stunning them for a duration and causing them to take additional ice damage per turn. 

There are seven different elements to discover and wield in Star Rail. Mastering this elemental system, just like the one in Genshin Impact, will often mean the difference between an uphill battle and an easy encounter.

A Wide Variety of Characters and Team Combinations

No MiHoYo game would be complete without a roster of interesting characters to unlock and experiment with, and Honkai: Star Rail delivers in droves in this department. However, while other gacha games might offer hundreds of characters in their rosters, Star Rail, much like other HoYoverse games, focuses on quality over quantity, with a cast of 24 unlockable characters as of launch. However, what this game lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in intricacy, as characters in Star Rail have a lot of depth to them, both when it comes to their combat abilities, as well as when it comes to their personalities.

While this roster is on the smaller side, the combat combinations and team compositions that you can create are virtually endless. Not to mention that every character is quite interesting to meet, and your relationship with them will only deepen as you continue playing the game. As such, whether you love to minmax your team composition, or simply like to meet and interact with your favorite characters, Star Rail has a lot to see when it comes to the hero roster.

And just like there is a decent variety in the hero roster, there is also a variety of ways to improve each of them to maximize their combat potential. From the standard leveling up to boost their stats, to more interesting mechanics like equipping them with Light Cones to enhance their skills; spending currency to obtain Trace upgrades that can further specialize each character to fit your play style, or even unlocking their special memories, which not only tell you more about the character’s backstory, but also unlock additional passive bonuses that improve their skills in combat.

Beautifully-Detailed Worlds With Lots to See and Learn

Within the beautifully-detailed worlds of Star Rail, players will find a plethora of visual wonders and immersive environments to explore. The game’s graphics are truly a sight to behold, with vibrant colors, intricate details, and stunning landscapes that bring each location to life. Whether you find yourself wandering through colossal space stations or traversing expansive planets, the Astral Express will take you on an unforgettable journey.

But it’s not just about the visuals; the world of Star Rail is filled with hidden treasures and rewards, waiting to be discovered by intrepid explorers. As you venture through the various locations, you’ll come across destructible elements in the environment, which can be broken to reveal valuable goodies, such as resources, rare items, or hidden pathways. Additionally, secret chests are scattered throughout the world, offering tantalizing rewards for those who have the keen eye and determination to seek them out.

Exploration in Star Rail is not merely a visual treat, but a rewarding experience that encourages players to delve deeper into the game’s world. By taking the time to explore and uncover its secrets, players can reap the benefits of their curiosity and enhance their journey through the cosmos. Whether it’s the excitement of breaking through obstacles or the satisfaction of finding hidden chests, Star Rail invites players to embark on an exploration-filled adventure like no other.

With all that being said, Honkai: Star Rail offers a visually stunning RPG experience set in the expansive HoYoverse universe. With its breathtaking art style, intricate combat system, and beautifully-detailed worlds, the game delivers a captivating adventure that will keep players engaged. Whether you choose to play on PC with the official client or through BlueStacks, you can enjoy the game with enhanced graphics and optimal performance. Why wait? Play Honkai: Star Rail instantly on your browser without downloading anything. Click, and start playing now. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the Astral Express and embark on an unforgettable RPG journey. Download Honkai: Star Rail today and immerse yourself in this cosmic adventure!