As players navigate the gaming universe, it’s easy to get hooked on a favorite or two. Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact, both developed by miHoYo, have created vast worlds for players to explore, each game presenting its unique appeal. While Honkai Impact has captured the hearts of many, it’s undeniable that Genshin Impact has been making waves since its launch in 2020. Here are five elements that Genshin Impact arguably does better than its sibling game, Honkai Star Rail.
1. Open-World Experience
Immersion in Teyvat
Genshin Impact is built around an open-world concept that offers players a greater sense of immersion. The game’s world, Teyvat, is a sprawling landscape divided into different regions, each with its unique culture, history, and environment. The game encourages exploration with its vast landscapes, hidden treasures, puzzles, and spontaneous world events.
In comparison, Honkai Star Rail’s world is largely stage-based, split into smaller, separate missions with less overall freedom. While this is not inherently negative, Genshin Impact’s open-world environment often provides a richer, more immersive gaming experience.
2. Character Diversity and Flexibility
Unique Playstyles for Each Character
One of Genshin Impact’s significant achievements is the diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities, combat styles, and intricate backstories. This diversity allows players to create a team that suits their preferred playstyle, adding to the game’s replayability and strategic depth.
On the other hand, Honkai Impact does offer a diverse range of characters, but their roles and capabilities can often be too rigid, limiting the number of effective combinations.
3. Storytelling
Rich Lore and World-Building
Genshin Impact is often lauded for its well-executed storytelling. The main story and side quests are woven into the fabric of the world, introducing players to the lore and culture of each region while progressing through the overarching narrative.
Honkai Impact also has a deep, complex storyline but its delivery can be somewhat disjointed due to the episodic mission structure, and new players might find the narrative challenging to follow.
4. Co-Op Gameplay
Collaborative Adventure
Genshin Impact offers a cooperative multiplayer mode where players can explore and complete missions together. This ability to share the adventure can lead to more enjoyable and rewarding gameplay.
Although Honkai Impact also offers multiplayer modes, they are typically confined to specific missions or battles, and do not extend to the broader gameplay experience.
5. Visual and Audio Experience
Breath-taking Scenery and Soundtracks
Lastly, Genshin Impact takes the cake in terms of visual and audio experience. The game boasts a stunning visual design, with each region of Teyvat presenting a distinct aesthetic inspired by various real-world cultures.
The audio, too, is of high quality. The game’s soundtrack adjusts according to the in-game location and situation, creating an immersive experience.
While Honkai Star Rail has its unique visual style and impressive graphics, it lacks the breath-taking scenery and dynamically changing soundtrack of Genshin Impact.
