The Curious Case of the Honkai-Genshin Multiverse: Are These Games Actually Siblings?
Ever felt déjà vu while exploring Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Honkai: Star Rail? Your imagination isn’t playing tricks. These games, made by HoYoverse (previously miHoYo), are deeply connected. Let’s explore their links.
Unraveling the Threads: Honkai and Genshin’s Shared Backyard
Think of a cosmic tree. This is the Imaginary Tree. On it, worlds blossom like leaves.
Honkai Impact 3rd
,
Genshin Impact
, and
Honkai: Star Rail
exist as distinct leaves of the same tree. They share a universe. It’s like neighboring countries in one landmass; unique, yet part of a whole.
Genshin Impact
isn’t officially part of
Honkai
, but a spiritual cousin, a spin-off. Their similarities echo a common origin. HoYoverse confirms they sit in the same multiverse, on the branches of the Imaginary Tree.
Before jumping to conclusions, note Genshin’s Traveler won’t board the Astral Express. Their stories are mostly independent. Think parallel worlds co-existing, each with their own tales. Teyvat, Genshin’s world, isn’t a spot on the Star Rail map. You can’t stroll through Mondstadt while exploring Penacony. Yet Teyvat isn’t entirely isolated. Hints, like mentions of the Primordial One and Global Samsara, subtly connect
Genshin
to the broader Honkai story. Like familiar spices in different restaurants, they hint at shared heritage.
Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail: Closer Cousins?
If Genshin is a cousin, then
Honkai: Star Rail
is a sibling to
Honkai Impact 3rd
. They exist in the same universe.
Honkai Impact 3rd
happens in a single solar system, while
Star Rail
explores galaxies. Picture
Honkai Impact 3rd
as a local drama and
Star Rail
as an epic space opera in the cosmos.
Star Rail
serves as a spiritual successor to
Honkai Impact 3rd
. They offer distinct worlds yet share DNA. For timeline enthusiasts,
Star Rail
unfolds after
Honkai Impact 3rd
. It’s the future in the same grand universe.
Teyvat: A World Unseen (Yet Hinted At?) in Star Rail
Teyvat sits firmly on the Imaginary Tree. It shares a cosmic neighborhood with Honkai games. But Teyvat isn’t physically accessible in
Honkai: Star Rail
. Don’t pack your bags for a trip to the Golden House via the Astral Express. It’s more of a conceptual presence. Teyvat exists in the same design but remains separate in
Star Rail
. Many theories swirl online. Some fans think Teyvat may fit into
Star Rail
‘s Simulated Universe, a digital playground. Others ponder it as a ‘fake’ world. For now, these remain fun speculations, adding mystery to connected universes.
Crossovers: When Universes Collide (Officially!)
No direct travel between Teyvat and Star Rail exists yet. Still, HoYoverse loves crossovers. Mark your calendars! A
Honkai Impact 3rd
x
Honkai: Star Rail
event starts November 28, 2024! Sparkle enters
Honkai Impact 3rd
with her S-rank battlesuit, Thousand-Faced Maestro: Cameo! It’s a cross-dimensional party! Don’t forget the
Honkai Impact 3rd
x
Genshin Impact
collab, “Outworld Traveler,” which brought Fischl into Honkai as a SP Battlesuit. These events aren’t just fun; they nod to these worlds’ interconnectedness.
Characters and Lore: Familiar Faces in New Worlds
Let’s discuss characters! Fischl arrived in
Honkai Impact 3rd
. Yet the most notable universe-hopper is Welt Yang. He crossed over from
Honkai Impact 3rd
to
Honkai: Star Rail
. Welt isn’t just a cameo; he’s key in
Star Rail
, carrying his story across dimensions. The enigmatic Traveler from Genshin and the mysterious Unknown God also play roles. Lore fans guess they come from a ‘leaf’ of the Imaginary Tree linked to
Honkai Impact 3rd
. It resembles a cosmic family reunion, echoing characters across realities. Kiana, central to
Honkai Impact 3rd
, also resonates in
Star Rail
. K-423 mirrors her at the start while Kiana Kaslana carries deep history as daughter of Siegfried Kaslana and Cecilia Schariac. Sparkle, the clever Masked Fool, adds layers with her new battlesuit. She uses a fake name, enhancing the character web’s complexity.
Game Mechanics: Gacha and Pity Across Universes
Beyond lore, mechanics are shared. If gacha has been a challenge for you in one game, you’ll find it familiar in others. The Pity system ensures you eventually get your favorite characters and weapons. Even when base odds feel like a rare find, pity guarantees persistence rewards. It’s a common system full of excitement and eventual payoff across these interconnected worlds.
HoYoverse: The Architects of these Worlds
These universes originate from HoYoverse’s creativity. Founded in 2012 in Shanghai, the company, once miHoYo, has become globally significant. They crafted the
Honkai
franchise, romantic mystery game
Tears of Themis
, global sensation
Genshin Impact
, and the
Zenless Zone Zero
. HoYoverse builds an empire of intertwined universes for all to explore.
Honkai: More Than Just a Name
Finally, let’s explore “Honkai.” The name springs from the Japanese term 崩壊 (hōkai), meaning “collapse” or “decay,” reflecting the Chinese 崩坏 (bēng huài). This collapse theme is central throughout Honkai games, uniting these universes thematically. For fans tracing Honkai history,
Guns Girl Z
is another title for
Honkai Gakuen
(崩壊学園) in Japanese and
Benghuaixueyuan 2
(崩坏学园2) in Chinese, showcasing Honkai’s evolution. Interestingly, most
Honkai: Star Rail
characters (except Welt) are “expys” or counterparts. They may share names and looks with characters from other HoYoverse games but are fundamentally distinct. Think of them as alternate universe versions across the multiverse. It’s a playful nod from HoYoverse, delivering familiar faces with fresh tales in expansive, connected worlds. So keep an eye out, Trailblazers and Captains; the Honkai-Genshin multiverse is vast, mysterious, and full of surprises.
