miHoYo, the creators of the wildly popular Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, have sparked considerable anticipation regarding their next project. Initial speculation, fueled by leaks and rumors, pointed towards a potential Animal Crossing-esque survival game or a sprawling RPG in the vein of Baldur's Gate 3.
However, recent insights from job listings and online chatter suggest a different direction entirely. Instead of a standalone title, miHoYo's new game appears to be a significant expansion within the established Honkai universe. This new entry will offer:
- An Open World Setting: Explore a vibrant coastal entertainment town.
- Spirit Collection and Development: Gather and evolve spirits from various dimensions, reminiscent of Pokémon, building teams for strategic battles.
- Unique Mobility: Utilize your collected spirits for traversal, including flying and surfing.
- Autobattler/Auto Chess Gameplay: The core gameplay loop will center around the popular auto-battler genre.
This unexpected blend of Pokémon's creature collection, Baldur's Gate 3's RPG elements, and the familiar Honkai universe presents a fascinating proposition. While the development timeline remains unclear, miHoYo's latest project promises a fresh and innovative take on established genres, further enriching the Honkai lore in surprising ways.