Honkai Impact 3rd

Honkai Impact 3rd
Developer(s)	miHoYo
Publisher(s)	CHN: miHoYo TWN/HKG/MAC: NIJIGEN GAMES WW: HoYoverse
Producer(s)	Cai Haoyu (2014–2017) David Jiang (2017–present)
Composer(s)	Cai Jinhan Chen Yonghui Cui Wei Gong Qi Jiang Peng Li Jinghao Lin Yifan Wen Chi Zheng Yujie
Series	Honkai
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Android, iOS, iPadOS, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Release	CN: 14 October 2016 JP: 22 February 2017 TW: 18 May 2017 KR: 17 October 2017 SEA: 1 November 2017 NA and EU: 28 March 2018
Genre(s)	Action role-playing, hack and slash
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Honkai Impact 3rd (Chinese: 崩坏3; pinyin: Bēng Huài 3; lit. 'Collapse 3rd') is a free-to-play 3D action role-playing game (originally a mobile exclusive, later ported to Microsoft Windows) developed by miHoYo, published by miHoYo in mainland China and worldwide by Cognosphere, d/b/a HoYoverse. It is the spiritual successor to Houkai Gakuen 2, using many characters from the previous title in a separate story. The game is notable for incorporating a variety of genres, from hack and slash and social simulation, to elements of bullet hell, platforming, shoot 'em up and dungeon crawling across multiple single and multiplayer modes. It features gacha mechanics.

A massive expansion of the game, titled Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 was released on February 29, 2024. Built upon the existing game, the update marks the start of the second major story arc of the game, with new characters, reworked UI, an updated engine, and a shift from a mission-based structure to a limited open-world structure.

In addition to the game, the storyline of Honkai Impact 3rd spans multiple supplementary media including a series of animated shorts, multiple manhua series, and promotional videos.

Etymology

The word "Honkai" based on the Japanese 崩壊 (ほうかい, "collapse" or "decay"), pronounced "hōkai", which is the direct translation of the Chinese 崩坏 (bēng huài) used in the original Chinese title. The "Impact" part of the title is absent from both the Chinese and Japanese versions, and is only used in English marketing.

In-game, the term 'Honkai Impact' (also 'Honkai Eruption' or 'Honkai Outbreak') refers to a large-scale Honkai disaster that coincides with the birth of a Herrscher.

Gameplay

Honkai Impact 3rd has players control a team of up to three characters, known as Valkyries, in real-time combat against various enemies. During battle, players may freely switch between characters and move around the battlefield. Each Valkyrie has unique attack, evasion, switch, and ultimate skills, as well as a type. The three main types, Mech, Biologic, and Psychic, are based on a rock-paper-scissors-based system, wherein types are advantaged and disadvantaged depending on both the enemy type and their own type. The two additional types, Quantum and Imaginary, are disadvantaged over each other, neutral towards the above three types, and advantaged over themselves. A third additional type, Stardust, is advantaged towards itself and neutral to all other types. Valkyrie stats and skills can be changed with various weapons and equipment, which can be improved by using in-game resources. New equipment (known as Stigmata), weapons, and Valkyries can obtained either through in-game crafting or through a gacha system.

Single-player game modes include the Story campaign, consisting of stages punctuated by dialogue in cutscenes and full motion videos (FMVs); Chronicles, a series of brief side stories that explore Valkyries' backstories or other aspects of the world; and Open World, allowing exploration of several large open-ended fields to gather materials and complete various challenge tasks, coupled with their own storylines.

The game features various multiplayer cooperative and competitive modes, such as Memorial Arena, where players compete against a set of bosses for the highest score across the server; Abyss, where players attempt to progress as far as possible through a gauntlet of battles to compete for high scores against others in a small group, etc. Players are able to join groups of other players, called Armadas, which allow for more opportunities for events and rewards. Armadas allow for limited requesting of materials and resources from other players in the Armada.

Outside of battles, Honkai Impact 3rd allows players to interact with the Valkyrie and Stigmata characters through the Dorm mode. Upon completing character-specific tasks, different characters may be able to move into the dorms, whereupon new character information and dialogues between those characters can be seen. Players can craft various pieces of furniture and design the layout of the dorm rooms to increase the "comfort" of the Valkyries and Stigmata therein. Greater comfort levels allow players to level up their dorm limits for more elaborate decoration. Players are able to visit and view each other's decorated dorm layouts.

Secondary gameplay mechanics include various minigames incorporating bullet hell, platforming, and shoot 'em up elements that allow players to gather various crafting and experience materials. Limited-time seasonal events may also include gameplay styles such as dungeon crawling and battle royale which are not normally seen in the main gameplay modes.

Weapons

Each Valkyrie can equip one type of weapon. The weapon types in the game are dual pistols, blades (katanas), heavy (cannons), greatswords, crosses, fists (gauntlets), scythes, lances, bows, chakrams, javelins, drive cores (yo-yos,) rapid-fire crossbows, rocket hammers, chained blades, and mechanical staffs.

Players can obtain weapons through shop purchases, crafting, and the gacha system, among other methods. After players obtain weapons, they can upgrade the weapons to improve their attribute effects.

After reaching player level 50 and weapon level 50, some weapons can be further upgraded into PRI-ARMs, changing their design, attributes, and effects. However, players will not be able to increase the maximum weapon level until reaching player level 81.

Stigmata

Each Valkyrie can equip three Stigmata. Players can increase their characters' attack, defense, critical chance, and other attribute effects while those characters wear various Stigmata.

The Stigmata system can be divided into three types: top, middle, and bottom, which correspond to the types of attack, defense, and auxiliary. Players can also activate different set effects when wearing two or three Stigmata of the same set. Players can obtain Stigmata through the gacha, stage completion, events, and crafting. After players obtain a Stigmata, they can enhance, upgrade, and refine it to improve the Stigmata's stats and effects.

Item enhancement

Players can enhance Valkyrie stats by enhancing (leveling-up) weapons and Stigmata. Stigmata level up requires a different EXP item type than weapons. Upon enhancement, the equipment can get a better attribute effect bonus.

Item upgrading

Players can improve the attribute effect of equipment by upgrading weapons and Stigmata. All weapons or Stigmata can upgrade the star level through an upgrade. After upgrading, the maximum level limit increases, allowing stronger effects. More advanced weapons and Stigmata require more advanced upgrade materials. Players can obtain upgrade materials by challenging stages, pulling in the gacha, and purchasing in stores.

Currency

The main currencies are crystals and coins, which have various non-premium obtaining methods. Asterite is a currency obtained from various miscellaneous sources throughout the game and can be exchanged for supplies in specific shops. Many of the game's gameplay modes and events each have their own corresponding currencies and shops.

Story

Setting

Honkai Impact 3rd is set in an alternate version of Earth, plagued by catastrophes resulting from the Honkai. The Honkai is largely viewed as a malevolent force with a will of its own. It has the ability to corrupt humans (ranging from mind manipulation and diseases to turning them into undead creatures), create various monsters, and imbue certain individuals with god-like powers, enabling them to trigger apocalyptic events. These super-powered humans are known as Herrschers. The Honkai is a cyclic phenomenon, returning to test civilization on Earth each time it gets too advanced.

The game takes place in the year 2015 of the Current Era, with the technologically-advanced Previous Era having ended 50,000 years prior. In the Current Era, various global factions exist to combat or take advantage of the power of Honkai. These include Schicksal, a European-based peacekeeping organization that deploys human warriors known as Valkyries to combat the Honkai; Anti-Entropy, formerly the North American branch of Schicksal that objected to the use of human soldiers in favor of mechanized robots; and World Serpent, a shadow organization that has been manipulating events since the end of the Previous Era.

Three Herrscher awakenings (or Impacts) have already occurred in the Current Era: the Herrscher of Reason, who became the leader of Anti-Entropy instead of fighting humanity; the Herrscher of the Void, who was defeated by Schicksal and Anti-Entropy in 2000; and the Herrscher of Thunder, who was prevented from fully awakening and sent to train as a Valkyrie at Schicksal's St. Freya Academy.

Characters

Playable

Name	Battlesuit	Type	Rank	Voice Actor	Description	Cits
Part 1
Kiana Kaslana	Knight Moonbeam	Biologic	S	Tao Dian Rie Kugimiya	The main protagonist of the game and recurring character in other miHoYo games. A homage to miHoYo's main character in their first game and second game. Also known as K-423, she is a clone of the original Kiana Kaslana mixed with genes from Sirin.
	Herrscher of the Void	Biologic	S
	Herrscher of Flamescion	Psychic	S
	Herrscher of Finality	Imaginary	S
	Divine Prayer	Psychic	A
	Valkyrie Ranger	Mecha	A
	Void Drifter	Mecha	A
	White Comet	Mecha	B
Raiden Mei	Lightning Empress	Psychic	S	Juhuahua Miyuki Sawashiro	One of the three major main characters and a recurring one in miHoYo's games. She is featured as a kind and compassionate Valkyrie. She is also the daughter of Massive Electric Corp’s CEO, however, due to unfortunate economic issues, her family has lost most of their wealth.
	Herrscher of Thunder	Psychic	S
	Herrscher of Origin	Imaginary	S
	Shadow Dash	Mecha	A
	Valkyrie Bladestrike	Biologic	A
	Striker Fulminata	Biologic	A
	Danzai Spectramancer	Mecha	A
	Crimson Impulse	Biologic	B
Bronya Zaychik	Dimension Breaker	Mecha	S	Hanser Kana Asumi	One of the three major main characters and a recurring one in miHoYo's games. She is a Russian orphan who lost her family during the second Honkai War. She is a trained assassin who infiltrated St. Freya High School in the hope of saving her lost friend.
	Black Nucleus	Biologic	S
	Herrscher of Reason	Mecha	S
	Silverwing: N-EX	Biologic	S
	Herrscher of Truth	Imaginary	S
	Snowy Sniper	Biologic	A
	Yamabuki Armor	Psychic	A
	Wolf's Dawn	Psychic	A
	Drive Kometa	Psychic	A
	Haxxor Bunny	Psychic	A
	Valkyrie Chariot	Psychic	B
Murata Himeko	Blood Rose	Psychic	S	Lin Su Rie Tanaka	Teacher at St. Freya Academy, leader of Squad V and former Captain of the Hyperion. She was originally deployed to rescue Kiana, Mei and Bronya from Nagazora, and acted as their squad leader and mentor after their enrollment. She is acquainted with Rita and Durandal through their former mentor, Ragna Lothbrok.
	Vermilion Knight: Eclipse	Mecha	S
	Scarlet Fusion	Mecha	A
	Valkyrie Triumph	Biologic	A
	Kriegsmesser	Psychic	A
	Battle Storm	Biologic	B
Yae Sakura	Goushinnso Memento	Mecha	S	Du Mingya Ayane Sakura	A shrine maiden from Yae village, she had a little sister named Rin. She met Kallen when Kallen fled from Schicksal forces to the Far East, and fell in love with her. She shares a name and appearance with the Previous Era's SAKURA, codenamed "Setsuna", who is a member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 8th, but is otherwise unrelated. SAKURA's younger sister, RIN became the Herrscher of Corruption.
	Gyakushinn Miko	Biologic	A
	Flame Sakitama	Biologic	A
	Darkbolt Jonin	Biologic	A
Theresa Apocalypse	Violet Executer	Mecha	S	Hualing Yukari Tamura	The founder and principal of St. Freya Academy. Although she defies him, she is closely tied to Otto, who created her from Kallen's genes. She was close friends with Kiana's parents, especially her mother. Can be considered the equivalent of Previous Era MANTISes, as her genes contain parts of the Honkai Beast Vishnu.
	Celestial Hymn	Biologic	S
	Twilight Paladin	Mecha	S
	Lunar Vow: Crimson Love	Psychic	S
	Valkyrie Pledge	Psychic	A
	Sakuno Rondo	Psychic	A
	Luna Kindred	Biologic	A
	Starlit Astrologos	Biologic	A
Fu Hua	Phoenix	Psychic	S	Mace Minami Takayama	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 12th, codenamed 'Vicissitude'. She was originally tasked with a mission to guide the Current Era, which caused the regions of her influence to deify her. Her backstory is recounted in multiple pieces of media including manga and the visual novel Seven Swords. After meeting Otto and striking a deal with him, she was employed as one of his agents. Later on becomes host to the Herrscher of Sentience.
	Shadow Knight	Mecha	S
	Azure Empyrea	Psychic	S
	Herrscher of Sentience	Biologic	S
	Fenghuang of Vicissitude	Biologic	S
	Valkyrie Accipiter	Psychic	A
	Night Squire	Biologic	A
	Hawk of the Fog	Psychic	A
Kallen Kaslana	Sixth Serenade	Psychic	S	Chen Yiwen Nana Mizuki	A medieval Kaslana family member and childhood friend of Otto. Known as the most legendary Valkyrie of Schicksal. She was executed after defying Schicksal and publicly declaring her love for Yae Sakura. Otto embarked on a quest to revive her.
	Ritual Imayoh	Mecha	A
	Sündenjäger	Mecha	A
Rita Rossweisse	Argent Knight: Artemis	Biologic	S	Xiao N Aoi Yūki	Assistant of Durandal, one of the few current S-rank Valkyries (in game's world) and Maid of Schicksal. She is Durandal's second-in-command. Second in-command of the Immortal Blades Valkyrie Squad.
	Fallen Rosemary	Quantum	S
	Spina Astera	Mecha	S
	Umbral Rose	Psychic	A
	Phantom Iron	Mecha	A
Seele Vollerei	Stygian Nymph	Quantum	S	Tang Yajing Mai Nakahara	An Estonian girl who grew up in the same orphanage as Bronya. She is a Stigma Awakened individual and shares her body with her Stigma persona, also named Seele (sometimes called Dark Seele or "Seele", quotation marks included). Her Stigma's symbol is similar to the Stigma of the Previous Era's Herrscher of Death.
	Starchasm Nyx	Quantum	S
	Herrscher of Rebirth	Psychic	S
	Swallowtail Phantasm	Quantum	A
Liliya Olenyeva	Blueberry Blitz	Mecha	A	Yanning Yū Serizawa	She is the twin sister of Rozaliya. However, the two characters portray extremely diverse behavioral traits. She is a lot more serious and calm-headed than Rozaliya. Additionally, she also grew up at Cocolia orphanage along with Bronya and Seele.
Rozaliya Olenyeva	Molotov Cherry	Psychic	S	Duoduo Poi Aoi Koga	Often regarded as an extremely loud and disruptive Valkyrie, her mature side is often expressed when she's taking care of her sister, Liliya. Additionally, she features a modified body which can be traced back to an accident in the character’s backstory.
	Fervent Tempo Δ	Psychic	S
Durandal	Bright Knight: Excelsis	Mecha	S	Miao Jiang Mamiko Noto	Her true name is Bianka Ataegina, but is often called by her chosen name Durandal. The current strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, also an S-rank. Later in Part 1 of the story, it is revealed that she is the original Kiana Kaslana who the game's protagonist was cloned from. She is the main character of the visual novel Durandal.
	Dea Anchora	Biologic	S
	Palatinus Equinox	Imaginary	S
	Valkyrie Gloria	Quantum	A
Elysia	Miss Pink Elf♪	Psychic	S	Yanning Marina Inoue	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 2nd, codenamed "Ego". She is the owner of the Elysian Realm and one of the major main characters of the "Elysian Realm" story arc in the game. She was born as the Herrscher of Origin, but her actions in life earned her the title Herrscher of Humanity.
	Herrscher of Human: Ego	Psychic	S
Natasha Cioara	Midnight Absinthe	Imaginary	A	Xie Ying Sanae Kobayashi	A member of World Serpent, nicknamed "Raven". A highly skilled mercenary who runs an orphanage called "The Roost", survivor of the Second Eruption in Siberia.
Mobius	Infinite Ouroboros	Mecha	S	Cai Shujin Rumi Okubo	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 10th, codenamed "Infinity". She is a scientist responsible for the creation of Stigmata and assisted in the development of other Projects.
Carole Pepper	Sweet 'n' Spicy	Mecha	A	Wang Xiaotong Junko Iwao	A character from the futuristic open world "A Post-Honkai Odyssey". Daughter of Lewis Pepper, former Valkyrie who fought in the Second Eruption. Usually seen as an energetic troublemaker, with a tendency to go AWOL. Despite all that, she values her place as a Valkyrie.
Pardofelis	Reverist Calico	Imaginary	A	Jin Na Nozomi Yamamoto	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 13th, codenamed "Reverie". She acts as a merchant in the "Elysian Realm" along with her pet cat Can. Described as weakest of the Flamechasers. Also has a sort of kleptomania, usually played for laughs. Able to use 'shortcuts', most likely referring to a sort of dimensional portals.
Aponia	Disciplinary Perdition	Biologic	S	Yang Menglu Haruka Shiraishi	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 3rd, codenamed "Discipline". She is a psychic MANTIS with the power to see into the future and decipher people's fates. Along with that, she can bestow Disciplines, mental seals, or commands that influence a person's will.
Eden	Golden Diva	Imaginary	A	Zhang Anqi Juri Kimura	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 4th, codenamed "Gold". She was a well-known singer and philanthropist in the Previous Era. She is often seen drinking alcohol, especially wine. There have been hints of a romance between her and Elysia, although their relationship status was never officially confirmed.
Griseo	Starry Impression	Psychic	A	Zisu Jiuyue Hina Kino	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 11th, codenamed "Stars". The youngest of the Flamechasers, she is a painter with a beaming curiosity. Has taken on a Discipline (mental seal) to make her focus on painting and to not think about the tragedies all around her, which were common in Previous Era.
	Cosmic Expression	Stardust	A
Vill-V	Helical Contraption	Quantum	S	Ruan Congqing Hisako Kanemoto	A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era and ranked 5th, codenamed "Helix". She is an inventor, a magician, a chef, an evil mastermind, a shy girl. This is due to her ability to split her own mind and partition those parts for specific tasks. She created multiple Divine Keys from the Cores of the Previous Era's Herrschers.
Li Sushang	Jade Knight	Psychic	S	Chen Tingting Misato Fukuen	She is a swordswoman who was born in Shenzhou five hundred years ago. She’s obsessed with Tales of Xia: Phantasia.
Ai Hyperion Λ	Chrono Navi	Mecha	A	Wang Yaxin Yui Horie	Character used for bridging the game world and the players (breaks the 4th wall). She is seen fixing bugs in the game with her 3 miniature copies, referred to as the "Ai"s in the Honkai Salvation Log event, where she acts as the administrator of Honkai Impact 3rd. Has the ability to concentrate all the Captain's willpowers throughout "parallel dimensions".
Susannah	Valkyrie Quicksand	Quantum	A	Lin Su Chinatsu Hirose	She is a cheerful but clumsy girl who is a B-Rank Valkyrie of Schicksal and a member of the Phosdjinns Squad.
PROMETHEUS	Terminal Aide 0017	Imaginary	A	Hanser Kana Asumi	She is a Previous Era super AI created by Dr. MEI.
Misteln Schariac	Dreamweaver	Mecha	S	Fumeng Ruowei Yū Kobayashi	She was born through the transcription process of Project Stigma.
Shigure Kira	Sugary Starburst	Mecha	A	Song Yuanyuan Ibuki Kido	She is an A-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal. She joined thinking it was an idol program, but, unfortunately, it turned out that the program had already ended.
Sirin	Miracle ☆ Magical Girl	Mecha	S	Wang Xiaotong Sakura Tange	A Belarusian girl who became Current Era's Herrscher of the Void after suffering abuse at the hands of Schicksal's research. She is a main character in the manga "Second Eruption". During the events of the game, her leftover malice personified acts as the secondary antagonist, triggering another Eruption.
Part 2
Senadina	Deepspace Anchor: First Light	Stardust	S	Sun Yanqi Minori Suzuki	She is a girl with a mysterious past who originates from within the Sea of Data.
Helia	Valkyrie Boltstorm	Mecha	A	Suxun Yui Kondo	She is a Schicksal Valkyrie who was sent on a Mars expedition with Coralie 6626 Planck.
Coralie	Valkyrie Blastmetal	Psychic	A	Kekewei Saya Aizawa	Alongside her partner Erdős Helia, she is a member of the Mars exploration team. She's also the adopted daughter of Lieserl Albert Einstein and received a doctoral degree at the age of 17.
Thelema	Mad Pleasure: Shadowbringer	Mecha	S	Gui Niang Akira Sekine	Much like Lantern, she is a member of the Seven Shus and comes from Mars. She bears the title of “Pleasure”.
"Lantern"	Lone Destruction: Shadowchaser	Psychic	S	Pan Danni Yumiri Hanamori	Tsavorae, mostly known by the name Lantern, is a member of the Seven Shus who comes from Mars. She bears the title of “Destruction”.
Collaboration
Asuka	Blazing Hope	Biologic	A	Yūko Miyamura	A major character from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise.
Fischl	Prinzessin der Verurteilung!	Biologic	A	Mace Maaya Uchida	Always found to be traveling with her night raven Oz (Voiced by: Yuantao Li, Yasunori Masutani), she is an investigator for Mondstadt's Adventurer’s Guild and appears as a crossover character after being banished from her own world.

Non-player characters

• Kevin Kaslana (Voiced by: Qin Qiege, Satoshi Hino). A member of the 13 Flamechasers of The Previous Era, ranked 1st, also the current head of World Serpent and the first Kaslana. Codenamed "Deliverance". His strength allowed him to eliminate a lot of Previous Era's Herrschers. He acts as an antagonist throughout the majority of the story.
• Otto Apocalypse (Voiced by: Zhao Lu, Akira Ishida). A 500-year-old human genius, head of Schicksal for most of that time. He acts as the main antagonist in the first part of the story. Had a strong affection for Kallen Kaslana, and is primarily motivated by his goal to revive her.
• Welt J. Yang (Voiced by: Dai Chaohang, Nuo Ya (young), Yoshimasa Hosoya, Mariya Ise (young)). The second Herrscher of Reason and current head of Anti Entropy. He inherited his name from the first Herrscher of Reason. His true name is Joachim Nokianvirtanen.
• Frederica Nikola Tesla (Voiced by: Le Xiaotong, Ayana Taketatsu) and Lieserl Albert Einstein (Voiced by: Qin Ziyi, Mitsuki Saiga) are Anti Entropy scientists that frequently help the main cast. Have been involved in Anti-Entropy leaving Schicksal and research on the 9th Divine Key. Age slower due to complications during latter's events.
• Su (Voiced by: Yang Chaoran, Takahiro Sakurai). A member of the 13 Flamechasers, ranked 7th, codenamed "Bodhi" and MOTH scientist/doctor. A friend to Kevin. He is the perceived antagonist of the manga volume "Second Key", during which he sends Durandal through tribulations in a bubble universe called Seed of Sumeru.
• Dr. MEI (Voiced by: Juhuahua, Miyuki Sawashiro). A previous era scientist that led humanity's effort against the Honkai, creating various projects to combat the phenomenon. Bears a resemblance to the Current Era's Raiden Mei, but is otherwise unrelated. Had a romantic relationship with Kevin Kaslana.
• Cecilia Schariac (Voiced by: Fumeng Ruowei, Yū Kobayashi). One of Schicksal's most powerful Valkyries and mother to Kiana Kaslana. She plays a major role in the events of the Second Honkai War and is a main character in the manga "Second Eruption".
• Siegfried Kaslana (Voiced by: Peng Bo, Tomokazu Seki). A Schicksal Knight and father of Kiana Kaslana. After the events of the Second Honkai War, he acted against Schicksal and the World Serpent. Latter captured him and keeps him in the Kaslana Stigma Space.
• Kalpas (Voiced by: Kinsen, Yūsuke Kobayashi). A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era, ranked 6th, and codenamed "Decimation". Has been fused with the Honkai Beast Asura. Most likely not human, rather an alien humanoid.
• Kosma (Voiced by: Chu Huazheng, Chiaki Kobayashi). A member of the 13 Flamechasers of the Previous Era, ranked 9th, and codenamed "Daybreak". Has been fused with the Honkai Beast Vishnu.

Development

The production team for Honkai Impact 3rd grew from a 7-person start to employing over 200 employees in 2018. miHoYo offers small amounts of in-game currency to users that fill out surveys about their experience in the game, allowing the game's developers to adjust future events and tweak the game. As a result, Honkai Impact 3rd is under a continuous-update system, patching bug fixes and changing or adding content multiple times per year. The game has had many significant changes since launch, including rewriting the entire first two chapters of the story in a December 2018 update. The developers stated that their decision to make Honkai Impact 3rd be in the free-to-play monetization system (rather than a premium, or paid, game) with the purpose of making the game more available to players. Devil May Cry and Bayonetta significantly affected the game makers' ideas for the fight system of Honkai Impact 3rd.

After a few years of users emulating Honkai Impact 3rd on computers and an update making emulation more difficult, the game's official PC version was developed, releasing to the public on 26 December 2019. A massive expansion of the game, titled Honkai Impact 3rd Part 2 was released on February 29, 2024. Built upon the existing game, the update marks the start of the second major story arc of the game, with new characters, reworked UI, an updated engine, and a shift from a mission-based structure to a limited open-world structure.

Related media

Manga

Honkai Impact 3rd features an ongoing serialized manga of the same name in Chinese and in English. The manga begins before Chapter 1 of the main game story arc that aims to supplement and flesh out the in-game plot, and often includes character origins. Several in-game battlesuits worn by the Valkyries are illustrated in the manga as well. The manga has three prequel titles and one main title.

Anime

Cooking with Valkyries (Chinese: 女武神的餐桌; pinyin: Nǚ Wǔshén de Cānzhuō), a non-canon slice of life cooking television animated series of Honkai Impact 3rd featuring 19 short episodes, was released from July to September 2020. The bilibili releases are available in Mandarin Chinese, while the Japanese broadcast versions are in Japanese.

ELF Academy (Chinese: 人偶学园; pinyin: Rén'ǒu Xuéyuán), another non-canon anime of Honkai Impact 3rd with 10 episodes, was released from July to September 2021, and also contains Mandarin Chinese and Japanese voice acting. This series is about ELFs (Equipment: Living Form), which are autonomous weapons created to replace living soldiers, going to school and interacting with each other.

Reception

A Honkai Impact 3rd-themed itasha in Indonesia.

The game first attracted a large fanbase in Asia before spreading globally: first released in China in late 2016, it reached 1 million downloads in Japan 11 days after release, and IGN reported that Honkai Impact 3rd gathered a total of 35 million downloads worldwide as of March 28, 2018. The game has been released in Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe, and supports multiple languages including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, French, German, and Indonesian, with voices in Chinese and Japanese.

In an article from 2017, Ungeek.com says that the game has some later-game systems that are unintuitive, and cites the large download size for a mobile game as a negative. The review praised the game's visual quality and the ease of learning to play the game, as well as the overall quality of the game, and positively recommended it. The article mentioned that the quality of the game was comparable to console games.

Controversies

On 22 April 2021, as part of the 3rd anniversary of the game's global server, a music video titled "Brilliant Bright" in collaboration with Myth & Roid, was released on miHoYo's Honkai Impact 3rd YouTube channel. While the video featured characters wearing bunny-girl outfits, none of the outfits were actually made available in-game - the cosmetics were solely for the purpose of the video. The backlash from the Chinese players was immediate and severe, with many considering it insensitive and unfair to release content for international players only.

The special video from Honkai Impact 3rd was removed from their channel, although the video itself is still available online, through fan reuploads. The Japanese band Myth & Roid have pulled out from the collaboration, and also had their special video single removed, but Brilliant Bright will still be available through streaming platforms and will be released as their digital single. In the game, any content related to 3rd-anniversary bunny girls, with the exception of the correlating event stigmata, are now removed as according to the game's official statement and was instead given 500 crystals for every GLB player as compensation. Chinese server players were given greater compensation (10 focused supply cards = 2800 crystal), despite not actually having any content removed in the Chinese version.

See also

• Action Taimanin, a game with similar gameplay
• Genshin Impact, another game also developed by miHoYo with similar characters
• Honkai: Star Rail, a 2023 game that is the 4th in its series
• Punishing: Gray Raven, a mobile game with similar gameplay and futuristic setting

External links

• Official website