Honkai: Nexus Anima could be the free-to-play Pokémon killer

Honkai: Nexus Anima appears to be a logical progression for Hoyoverse's diverse game portfolio, combining elements of open-world action RPGs, turn-based RPGs, and creature collection. During Gamescom 2026, the game's latest project, Nodusfall, was revealed, with Honkai: Nexus Anima and cozy life sim Petit Planet expected to follow.

Upon initial impressions, Honkai: Nexus Anima shares similarities with Genshin Impact, featuring vibrant, colorful cityscapes and auto-battling similar to Team Fight Tactics. However, the game diverges from Pokémon by assembling teams of Anima creatures in a top-down arena for auto-battles. Although the character auto-battles were easy to win, players can equip up to three ability cards for their allies, with options for both targeted attacks and area-of-effect abilities.

Anima creatures are categorized into abstract classes called Aspects, such as Love, Satiation, Pride, and Reality. While the creatures' designs are diverse and imaginative, they avoid directly copying Game Freak's designs. The game features a gacha system, which can be concerning for players looking to avoid spending money. However, defeated Anima can be bonded with certain resources, presenting a dilemma between spending money for a guaranteed bonding outcome or attempting to bond naturally.

The game also offers a Nexus championship qualifier, requiring players to find and defeat other competitors to obtain numbered badges. With a rich world, diverse characters, and amusing narrative elements, Honkai: Nexus Anima seems to be a compelling addition to the free-to-play gaming market, available on PC, iOS, and Android.