TapTap Game of the Year 2023 #2: Honkai: Star Rail - the best mobile game of 2023

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I’ve played Genshin Impact for the past few years, so when I found out that the developers of that masterpiece were creating another game, I was obviously excited. Given the absolutely staggering success of Genshin Impact, it was impossible not to have gigantic expectations for Honkai: Star Rail. And wherever there are high expectations, there’s the possibility of failure.

Honkai: Star Rail did not fail. After weeks of playing, it was clear to me that MiHoYo had pulled off something amazing by delivering yet another fantastic experience that transcends the realm of mobile and gacha game cash-ins.

This sci-fi RPG is nearly as good as Genshin Impact - Honkai: Star Rail Quick Review

https://www.taptap.io/post/5275268

The best part, though, is that MiHoYo did this without simply emulating its previous success. Honkai: Star Rail is great, but it’s not just a clone of Genshin Impact. In fact, it’s not much like Genshin Impact at all!

Honkai: Star Rail introduces a whole new world full of unique characters, and though it shares some aesthetic vibes with Genshin Impact, it embraces a more sci-fi setting that helps set it apart. Notably, Star Rail also shifted to a turn-based combat system with complex strategies, as opposed to the faster-paced action combat of Genshin. That combat ended up being a big part of what clicked so well for me. It was incredibly satisfying putting together the perfect team that could take advantage of an enemy’s weakness or use powerful status effects to win challenging battles.

Since every single move matters in Honkai: Star Rail, I often found myself pushed to carefully consider my approach. Occasionally I passed missions with no problem, but other times I’d find myself struggling only to realize that my team composition was all wrong for the task at hand. It’s a well-crafted system that gently led me to trying new strategies, which in turn helped me grow attached to more characters.

Honkai: Star Rail also has an engaging story about intergalactic battles and space monsters. Though it has moments of lightheartedness and humor, the narrative features a lot more maturity than any of MiHoYo’s previous titles. I found it impossible to not be charmed by the quality of the storytelling and the personality radiated by the game’s cast of characters.

In the end, what sets Honkai: Star Rail apart from the average gacha game is just how polished and well-considered every element is. It’s a marvelously balanced game full of excitement, challenges, and exploration. It’s an adventure that expertly blends storytelling, action, and freedom. It may not be quite as impactful or revolutionary as Genshin Impact, but it’s definitely one of the best games I played this year.

Check out the rest of TapTap’s Game of the Year 2023 picks at this link, and share your own choices in the comments or by making a post and using the tag #TapTap GOTY 2023.