Honkai Star Rail has a new Pokemon-inspired spin-off, and you can sign up to play it early right now

Honkai Star Rail, the popular game from HoYoverse, is set to get a vibrant and charming spin-off, with sign-ups for testing now open.

HoYoverse has already made its mark in the gaming industry with the phenomenal success of its gacha titles, including Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact. These games have become significant indicators of the shift towards live service titles in the gaming world.

Despite this, the company continues to innovate, creating bold franchises that captivate gamers. One such franchise is Honkai Star Rail, which recently released its 3.5 update and has now spawned its own spinoff.

The new game, Honkai Nexus Anima, is a pet-themed exploration game filled with mini-games, drawing inspiration from Pokemon. The game offers an open world similar to Genshin Impact, where players can explore with the aid of animal companions. Players can participate in races, balloon-popping mini-games, and battles, all within a world reminiscent of Palworld and Infinity Nikki, but with a delightful anime theme.

It appears to be a rather enchanting and calming experience, likely featuring the delightful character designs that HoYoverse is renowned for. For those eager to get a sneak peek of this largely enigmatic game, there's a chance to play it ahead of time and discover what it's truly about.

So, how can you make this happen? Here's everything you need to know about the Honkai Nexus Anima playtest period.

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Honkai Nexus Anima playtest

The Honkai Nexus Anima playtest has officially begun its recruitment process and is accepting applications for its Nexus Bond Test until Friday, September 12. To register to try the game early on PC and iOS, head over to the Honkai Nexus Anima website and click the 'join the test' button.

You'll then be asked to log into your HoYoverse account before being directed to a questionnaire. Complete that, and you'll be contacted just before testing starts to guide you into the early build of the game.

At present, there's no information on when testing will commence, but it's anticipated to be shortly after the team sifts through the applications – of which we presume there are already thousands, so it might be worth getting in now to be nearer the front of the queue.

The game is still keeping plenty under wraps, but it appears to be offering a plethora of activities for players as a charming, sweet playground to interact with your pets and take them on the wildest walkies of their lives. If we know HoYoverse, we know there are going to be ample opportunities to spend more money. So, get ready to empty your pockets.