Creation and design
Honkai: Star Rail producer David Jiang stated that the development team places significant emphasis on character creation, noting that drafting narrative text for a single character typically takes around a month. [3] The production team emphasized the importance of making the game's diverse characters feel as though they genuinely inhabit the fictional world. According to the writers, their role is not to direct the characters according to their own intentions but rather to document the words, actions, and events of characters as if they were real individuals within the setting. To imbue characters with a sense of authentic humanity, the writers often drew inspiration from people around them when shaping character traits. [3] For example, when designing Qingque, a character with a strong interest in mahjong, the development team observed avid mahjong players, asking questions such as "How do people who love mahjong typically behave?" and "What do they dislike?" The resulting traits were then incorporated into the character's design.
According to lead game designer Chengnan An, the development team adopts a "character-first" design philosophy, wherein personality and narrative are prioritized over gameplay mechanics. He explained that creating gameplay systems before developing the characters often limited their creativity, stating that "we ran out of inspo really, really fast" when doing so. [4] Character concepts go through multiple visual iterations and feedback rounds to heighten their aesthetic appeal, often becoming "prettier and even more handsome and even more cool with each iteration." [4] The team is also known for incorporating distinctive, sometimes eccentric traits into character design to make them more memorable. For instance, the character Dr. Ratio attacks with an oversized book to reflect his egotistical intellect, while Himeko is portrayed calmly sipping tea amid a fiery explosion during her ultimate move. [4]
Regarding the design of character artificial intelligence (AI), Jiang explained that, to enhance immersion in Honkai: Star Rail, AI technology was integrated into the behavioral patterns of non-player characters (NPCs). This approach aimed to make traditionally scripted NPC behavior appear more natural, thereby providing players with a stronger sense of being part of the game world. [5] [6] He also noted that current AI applications are limited to serving as development aids. However, he suggested that if AI tools can be used to expand character dialogue and narrative content, they may allow for the continued introduction of new interactions between players and characters. [3]
In terms of character backstories, Jiang stated that the game's narrative and worldbuilding are developed around its characters, who in turn serve as the primary means of conveying the story and its underlying themes. [3] Honkai: Star Rail draws inspiration from the narrative structure of road movies, with the protagonist and similarly aged companions traveling across a variety of planets. These planets differ greatly in social structure, technological level, cultural systems, and historical background, offering a highly varied setting in which character development and personal growth are explored. [3] [7]
Prior to a character's official release in the game, HoYoverse promotes them by releasing character-related videos through its official social media channels. In addition to the main storyline, players can undertake Companion Missions, which provide insight into each character's backstory and personality traits that may not be fully explored within the central narrative. These missions allow for a more detailed understanding of individual characters, gradually uncovering their histories and adding depth to their development throughout the journey. [3]
Reception
Many critics praised Honkai: Star Rail for continuing HoYoverse's tradition of strong character design, highlighting the game's vivid, expressive, and well-developed cast. [32] [33] [34] PC Gamer reviewer Tyler Colp remarked that each character in the game "glows with personality," and that their combat animations are "extraordinarily expressive." [35] GamesHub reviewer Samantha Low described the characters as engaging, with flashy designs reminiscent of a techwear runway, emphasizing their visual appeal and distinctive personalities. [36] According to IGN China reviewer Water Ash, the character designs appeal to a broad range of fan preferences, with facial expressions and animations during dialogue presented in a detailed and nuanced manner. [37] PCGamesN reviewer Nat Smith observed that the characters possess strong individual appeal, describing them as familiar archetypes that evoke the nostalgic charm of 1990s Japanese role-playing games. Smith also highlighted the game's non-playable characters (NPCs), noting that even minor figures often play pivotal roles in the narrative, enhancing the game's world-building. [38] IGN reviewer Jess Reyes observed that the game gradually unveils subtle character traits through scenarios that highlight different facets of their personalities, enhancing the narrative's suspense and engagement. [39]
Controversies
Casting of Chris Niosi
In July 2024, HoYoverse revealed the English voice actor for the character Moze to be Chris Niosi. [40] Immediately after the reveal, HoYoverse received backlash from players due to Niosi's past abuse allegations in 2019, which were affirmed by Niosi himself. [41] Following the backlash, Niosi withdrew from the role days later and HoYoverse replaced him with Ben Balmaceda. [42]
SAG-AFTRA strike controversies
Although HoYoverse wasn't explicitly targeted in the SAG-AFTRA strike, multiple English voice actors in support of the strike stopped voicing their assigned characters. HoYoverse responded by replacing some of the striking voice actors, including the voice actors for the Trailblazer, Tingyun, Argenti, and Tail. [43]
In May 2025, following a rejected "best, last, and final" offer made to SAG-AFTRA, Allegra Clark, the English voice actor for Acheron, called on SAG-AFTRA to end the strike, saying that AAA companies are actively moving out of the United States to find voice actors. [44]
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