Should You Play Honkai Impact Before Honkai Star Rail?

Honkai Star Rail is a sprawling turn-based RPG developed by HoYoverse. Players will be able to explore a vibrant open world amongst the stars while taking down enemies in exciting strategic combat. However, you may be wondering where Honkai Star Rail places in the confusing HoYo-multiverse. After all, the name shares the same "Honkai" title as another HoYoverse game, Honkai Impact 3rd. This has led many fans to wonder if they will need extensive knowledge of Honkai Impact 3rd in order to understand the story and gameplay of Honkai Star Rail. 

That's where we come in! This article will explain everything you need to know about this topic and endeavor to answer the question, "should you play Honkai Impact before Honkai Star Rail?"

Should You Play Honkai Impact Before Honkai Star Rail?

No, you do not need to play Honkai Impact before Honkai Star Rail. It has been confirmed that Honkai Star Rail is somewhat of a spinoff of Honkai Impact 3rd but will have its own unique story. That being said, certain lore and Honkai Impact 3rd characters will feature in Honkai Star Rail, so if you want to learn more about this Universe, playing Honkai Impact 3rd certainly won't hurt!

Direct characters that are playable in Honkai Impact 3rd will be making the jump into Honkai Star Rail. Still, as this game is designed for a fresh audience, we will receive all the necessary backstories within Honkai Star Rail. Similar to how Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd share the same "Impact" title, Honkai Star Rail is a completely different game and not a sequel. The same holds true for Genshin Impact. All of these games take place within the same multiverse, and while they occasionally share certain lore aspects, they are mostly disparate.

Those wanting to deepen their knowledge of the world in which Honkai Star Rail takes place, however, may find enjoyment from dipping a toe into Honkai Impact 3rd. The game is phenomenal in its own right and a thoroughly enjoyable experience from start to finish. Furthermore, it has been reported by closed beta testers that HoYoverse has included several Easter Eggs relating to Honkai Impact 3rd within Honkai Star Rail, so those who have yet to play the former game will end up missing them!

And that answers the question, "should you play Honkai Impact before Honkai Star Rail?" Good luck out there, Trailblazers!