Released in 2023, "Honkai: Star Rail" took the gaming world by storm, matching the success of its predecessor, "Genshin Impact," and racking up an astonishing 20 million downloads within days. This latest chapter in the Honkai saga has brought the franchise into the global spotlight.

The roots of Honkai run deep, tracing back to 2011 with the release of "FlyMe2TheMoon." Fast forward to 2023, and HoYoVerse's Honkai series is now helmed by Chengnan An, the Lead Game Designer of "Honkai: Star Rail." An, who joined the team during the development of "Honkai Impact 3rd" in 2016, has witnessed the evolution of this beloved franchise firsthand.

The Genesis of Honkai: Star Rail

An spoke to us after the Game Developers' Conference (GDC) 2025, delving into the philosophy behind the series and the transition to turn-based gameplay that distinguishes "Star Rail" from its action-oriented siblings. "When we began developing Star Rail, our goal was to take our love for action games and infuse turn-based mechanics into it, merging depth with exciting gameplay," An explained.

From Concept to Creation

The journey of creating "Honkai: Star Rail" involved learning from past titles, including insights gained through the development of "Genshin Impact." This game introduced players to an expansive universe and thrilling interstellar adventures filled with unique challenges and companions. An emphasized the game's narrative depth, blending science fiction with rich mythological elements to create a captivating storyline.

Innovating Combat Systems

One notable aspect of "Star Rail" is how its combat system has transformed. An shared a fascinating insight into the evolution of the "Weakness Break QTE" system.

"Initially, this mechanic required players to make manual choices after breaking an enemy's weakness, but it slowed down combat too much. We pivoted to a system of automatic follow-up attacks, allowing skills to trigger dynamically based on conditions during battle, which has made the gameplay more fluid and engaging."

The Phenomenon of Success

"Honkai: Star Rail" has resonated globally in ways previous titles have not. An attributes its success to the careful balance of accessibility and depth. "The characters, humor, and storytelling all work together to create a memorable experience. The production quality and the commitment of our passionate team contributed massively, but ultimately, it’s the player feedback that makes everything worthwhile."

Future of the Universe

With ambitious plans for future expansions, An hinted that the story development for "Honkai: Star Rail" is strategically planned at least a year ahead, with a dedicated focus on new worlds and character arcs. The upcoming journey through Amphoreus, for instance, aims to deepen player connections with the narrative and characters.

"We want to ensure that every player, whether new or returning, can easily jump in and enjoy the unfolding story without feeling overwhelmed. Our goal is to keep expanding the universe while remaining accessible," he noted.

The Long-Term Vision

Looking to the future, An expressed a long-term commitment to the game. "The potential of Honkai: Star Rail is immense, and fulfilling that vision will take years, possibly longer. This isn’t just about pumping out content; it’s about truly engaging with our players and evolving our universe together."

Celebrating 2 Years of Success

As the team gears up to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of "Honkai: Star Rail," with Version 3.2 on the horizon, An reiterated their dedication to communication with players and ongoing improvements. "We have exciting developments in the works, and we look forward to sharing them with our community in the upcoming months. Stay tuned!"