Honkai Impact 3rd for iPhone

Free-to-play 3D action RPG

Honkai Impact 3rd is a free action role-playing game (RPG) with crisp 3D graphics. The game is developed by miHoYo Limited, the game studio behind the global hit Genshin Impact–to which Honkai is a companion game. Genshin lends a number of characters from its rosters in an entirely new world, in an entirely new story.

Its real-time, non-turn-based gameplay and story elements can be compared to Punishing: Gray Raven or ISEKAI: Demon Waifu, although the anchor that Honkai Impact 3rd shares with Genshin Impact assure fans of its quality and the rich world-building it offers.

An all-in-one experience

What sets Honkai Impact 3rd apart from its competitors is that it offers a little bit of everything: a social simulation game with elements of platformers, shoot ‘em up, hack and slash, and more. Its character designs are anime-inspired, which, paired with the special effects of skills and fight sequences, adds to the action and the enjoyability for the players.

Also, the game isn’t limited to mindless story quests and grinding sessions; it allows players to interact with both Valkyries and their weapons through the game’s “Dorm” mode. Once you unlock a new character, you get a specific quest that when completed, lets the Valkyrie move into the “Dorm” with the rest. You can also change the design and create furniture to increase the “comfort” levels of its residents.

One addictive aspect of the game, however, is its inclusion of gacha mechanics to the game. This creates a randomized factor for crafting new weapons and obtaining new “Valkyries,” the characters used to perform in-game actions. Unfortunately, this makes the game frustrating for some and unfair for others because people with real-world money can just purchase more chances for pulling good characters and items.

Step into the second part of the Impact

While the game Honkai Impact 3rd has primarily taken place in an alternate version of Earth, the story has progressed enough for the second part. Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 brings players to an alternate Mars, leaving behind previous characters and bringing in a lot of new ones. To start, there are three new companions available: Coralie, Helia, and Senadina. Similarly, there are two new main cities with the Steampunk-themed Lanqiu and the modern metropolis Oxia City.

Aside from new content, the Part 2 reveal also sees the combat system changed. There’s a massive improvement with AI that drives the monsters. Aerial fights now take a larger portion, with more characters and enemies engaging while in flight. In line with this refocused combat, characters can now put on Astral Rings that build up energy and can be released for high-damage attacks.

A must-try RPG

With a little bit of everything, Honkai Impact 3rd is a must-try for anime fans and players of the RPG genre. It offers a complete gaming experience, plus features not found in any other game such as the opportunity to hang out with your in-game characters and prepare their living quarters. However, be wary of the gacha aspect of the game since it’s addictive.