Honkai Star Rail Reveals Nexus Anima Mode

The official website for Honkai: Nexus Anima is now live, unveiling more details about HoYoverse's upcoming autobattler. Discover the game's key features and learn how to sign up for the imminent closed beta test.

Honkai: Nexus Anima Website is Now Live

Game Features Unveiled

After months of anticipation, HoYoverse has launched the official site for Honkai: Nexus Anima (HNA), revealing substantial new information. Initially teased during a May 4th Honkai Star Rail concert, the brief preview led many fans to believe it would be a Pokémon-style game.

The website confirms HNA as an auto-battler. Players will position their characters, known as Anima, on a grid-based field to engage in automated combat against opponents. This genre includes popular titles like Teamfight Tactics and Dota Underlords.

Beyond the core tactical gameplay, players can explore a vast open world alongside their Anima companions, who also serve as the units for the auto-battler system.

Gameplay Footage Reveals Autobattler Mechanics, Exploration, and Mini-Games

Following the website launch, HNA's official social media account shared a four-minute video showcasing the auto-battler gameplay, open-world exploration, and various mini-games.

The exploration appears similar to Genshin Impact, allowing free traversal on foot or by gliding. Additionally, players can ride certain Anima that fly or gallop. The video focused on a coastal area, so the full scale of the world remains to be seen.

Players can interact with numerous characters and participate in Anima-centric mini-games, such as racing events or target-shooting challenges.

The game also features deep character customization, including hairstyle, eye color, and clothing. The footage suggests multiplayer support, where others can join your world for social interaction.

The core gameplay follows established auto-battler conventions. Players build teams based on Anima trait synergies and select power-ups at specific stages to gain strategic advantages in battle.

While detailed mechanics are still under wraps, HoYoverse has experience with the genre through Genshin Impact's "Battle of Imagined Arrays" event. It will be interesting to see how HNA's system compares to other fan favorites.

Nexus Bond Test Recruitment is Open

Registration is now open for the Nexus Bond Test, a closed beta running from August 29 to September 12, 2025 (UTC+8). This test will be available on PC and iOS only.

Interested players can apply via the link on HNA's official social media post or its website. Selected participants will be notified by email, with the official test schedule announced later.

The promotion includes giveaway events. 150 winners will gain beta access by following the official account, quoting the promo post with their HoYoverse ID and the required hashtags (#HonkaiNexusAnima, #NexusBondTest), and completing the application.

Ten others can win a $100 gift card by following and liking the post. An additional 20 winners will receive an exclusive Anima Bobble Box Set by following the account and tagging a friend. All giveaways end on September 3, 2025, at 23:59 (UTC+8).

Anima Overview

The website introduces several Anima, each classified by an Aspect (like Satiation or War) and a Trait (such as Gladiator or Mastermind). Brief descriptions include height and energy details.

Previewed Anima include Puddlipup (a soft pudding-pup from the initial teaser), the whimsical feline Taileep, and the luminescent shore-dweller Bunmareen. So far, 32 Anima have been fully revealed, with 34 more shown as silhouettes.

Sovereigns, Novarchs, and Other Characters

HNA features a diverse cast, including characters from other HoYoverse titles. They are divided into three groups: Sovereigns, Novarchs, and Others.

Sovereigns are the "owners of the Aspects of the Old World," wielding great power in the mortal realm. Novarchs rule the "Aspects of the New World," each governing one of 81 planes. One notable Novarch is Blade, a popular character from Honkai Star Rail.

The "Others" category includes characters players meet on their journey, such as Nanafey, Hua, and Kiana from Honkai Impact 3rd. The website provides new details on characters briefly seen in the original teaser.

HoYoverse is intensifying its promotion for HNA, and fans are eager to try this new genre from the developer. With the recent reveals and the upcoming closed beta, more information is expected soon.

Honkai: Nexus Anima is in development for iOS, Android, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). For the latest updates, stay tuned to our coverage.