Honkai: Star Rail is making the leap from Model 1.6 to Model 2.0 with a brand new playable space to discover. As somebody who performed Star Rail at launch however dropped it quickly after, I wished to see if it was price revisiting. Fortunately, I used to be granted entry to a preview of Honkai: Star Rail’s latest replace, so I hopped onto the Astral Categorical to take a look at the brand new space: Penacony, the Planet of Festivities.

A little bit of background about me: I’m a Genshin lady. I began taking part in Genshin Impression on launch day in 2020, and I’ve been smitten with Teyvat ever since. So when HoYoverse’s latest recreation, Honkai: Star Rail, debuted in April of final 12 months, I eagerly waited on the login display, speeding in simply because the servers went on-line. 

After finishing the Trailblaze Missions obtainable at launch, nonetheless, I used to be left twiddling my thumbs. Positive, there have been occasions and repeatable fight actions, however with no large open world to attract me in, Honkai: Star Rail misplaced me after a number of weeks. That was Model 1.0, although. Now, within the creation of Model 2.0, Star Rail deserves one other look. Penacony’s dreamscapes are enchanting, and the witty writing is a reminder of simply how entertaining Star Rail may be.  

Upon arriving in Penacony, I sat by means of a number of cutscenes after which entered a shared dreamscape referred to as Golden Hour — which really looks like navigating by means of a dream. You may stroll on partitions and ceilings. Objects float within the air, typically the other way up. I tried to eat an ice cream cone, just for it to begin pleading for its life. Being the type soul I’m, I spared it, and it gave me a hamburger in return.

It’s even potential to enter one other dream inside this dream, Inception-style. The dream-within-a-dream I skilled was about trash cans, and at one level, I even reworked right into a trash can myself. Whereas I didn’t want Star Rail to inform me I used to be rubbish, I couldn’t assist however snort my lid off.

That is what I really like about Honkai: Star Rail: its writing. The dialogue comprises loads of fourth-wall-breaking jokes, but they by no means really feel extreme. There are operating gags that weave their manner into missions and environmental particulars, just like the Trailblazer’s inexplicable fondness for trash cans. The wit and humor within the Trailblazer’s strains make me want Genshin Impression’s Traveler obtained the identical remedy. Honkai: Star Rail’s 2.0 replace takes the charming absurdity that was already current within the recreation and turns it as much as eleven. Within the dreamscapes of Penacony, something can occur!

In fact, no new replace could be full with out new characters. Honkai: Star Rail 2.0 introduces newcomers Black Swan, Sparkle, and Misha. Whereas I’m no Star Rail theorycrafter, I can not less than attest to how incredible these new characters look. Black Swan floats within the air with a menacing grace, surrounded by a halo of tarot playing cards. Misha leans into his position as a resort busboy, dealing harm by crashing his baggage cart into enemies. 

The flashy, theatrical performances from the Star Rail roster is one other a type of HoYo signatures, including some additional aptitude that’s distinct from Genshin’s. Star Rail employs turn-based fight in comparison with Genshin’s real-time fight, permitting Star Rail to showcase extra elaborate Final animations with out disrupting the movement of fight. These animations are really artworks and a delight to behold, even at 2x velocity.

Is Penacony sufficient to convey a Genshin Impression loyalist again to Honkai: Star Rail? As a Genshin diehard, I say sure. Even when you don’t decide to Star Rail long-term, it’s undoubtedly nonetheless price giving it one other shot. In comparison with its state at launch final 12 months, the sport has seen important content material additions. Whereas there are nonetheless missions and occasions that encourage each day logins, I discover Star Rail calls for much less of your time than Genshin does. On the very least, you possibly can progress by means of the primary story missions and auto-battle your manner by means of the fight sections.

In case you fear that you simply’ve missed loads of previous occasions, there’s excellent news! Honkai: Star Rail means that you can replay flagship occasions from previous Variations, and these by no means expire. You’re free to play by means of them at your comfort everytime you want, although you continue to don’t get the limited-time rewards from when the occasions had been reside.

Whereas I’ll at all times choose Genshin Impression resulting from its beautiful open world and plethora of actions, I’m warming as much as Honkai: Star Rail as properly. I in all probability gained’t play each video games on daily basis, however I’ll undoubtedly verify in on Star Rail once in a while. Each video games are free to play, with no paywall for story content material, so it prices nothing to expertise new missions and occasions earlier than logging off till the subsequent replace. Whether or not you’ve been logging into Honkai: Star Rail on daily basis since launch otherwise you’re a returning participant, Penacony has one thing for everybody. Model 2.0 is out now, so joyful dreaming, everybody!