The ULTIMATE Showdown! Which Game is Better!? // Honkai Star Rail Vs. Genshin Impact

[@theskiesaltiair]

I agree with some genshin characters not having any part 2s to their stories, it's really starting to get annoying and we really don't know much about the character because most of their stories focus on NPCs and such. Also what I would suggest for genshin is that every so often when a character gets a rerun, maybe they should get a part 2 to their story quests? Like maybe these stories would invest people in these characters a lot more. Great commentary! Hope I get to play Star Rail once it's available on PS4.

[@Melotaku]

Haha Yoimiya is getting exactly that. They read your mind from the future.

[@spellcheck5393]

Story quests too are boring. Best part about genshin is the archon quest- here they should bring back old char like kaeya and childe came back.

[@o.s.8491]

It does seem like SR is correcting a lot of genshin's 'mistakes' (giving the main character voiced internal thoughts, giving the pompom mascot relevancy and goals, giving you one standard 5 star epitomized path, and instead of getting a letter once a year on a character's birthday, characters text you semi-regularly and give you small missions that feel like a much more personal solution than Genshin's daily commissions etc.) It tells me Hoyo is aware that not having these things makes genshin weaker, so it's a shame they haven't applied what they know to improve the game. As far as longevity goes, I still think Genshin's exploration will be a stronger pull for me, but Star Rail's character development definitely feels like a huge improvement for all the reasons you listed! Great video!

[@StrayMaverick]

Yeah, I think Genshin will always be easier to just jump into. I see a ton of people watch my huge story videos who say they just play the game to relax and haven't really bothered with the story until now. Star Rail definitely seems different, and you need to be a lot more "focused" when you're playing it versus Genshin. So I do think it will always have less appeal. But also the Jing Yuan banner broke the payment system in China so the game still seems to be doing well. Lmao. Thanks for the awesome comment!

[@asoret]

@@StrayMaverick I mean one thing people isn't mentioning is the auto mode for combats, like if you avoid the "abyss" and hard modes it could be easier than genshin for casual people, but yes im so glad that the combat is more important, and the exploration doesn't take hours and hours of time, also the simulated universe its a permanent second endgame content that gives you a lot of weekly resources each week, even 5 star weapon and gems, so sad they never gave something like that in genshin, even the cards game doesn't give mora or anything to farm it

[@crimsonskies391]

Honkai impact 3rd is still the best story imo but star rail is still early

[@ipocrita4825]

Characters quest in HSR sometimes simpler than in Genshin, but characters have more time and influence in a main quest. Also, you could talk with them any time and some dialogs are changing after some quests. And everyday chats give us opportunity to know them more. They're closer to us than characters from Genshin. I couldn't go to Angels's share for example and say Hi to Diluc, but I can visit Natasha, talk with Bronya, take photo with Seele. The world is more alive for me, even if it's smaller than in Genshin. And I like that we have pretty big main cast that travel with us and have their significant stories, like Dan Heng now. We would have new version of Dan Heng in gacha, and I hope that some time after that we would have March, Himeko and maybe even Welt.

[@Rockstarmoon]

What the heck happened to you? Been missing your very sarcastic non-aggressive criticism in terms of story writing. But now that you got a chance to play a Honkai Game. You'll see the magic of the Honkai writing team when it comes to making serious and consequential stories. I assure you that the comedy and humor in this game is just a cover-up to what will eventually be a Depressing Game in Disguise. I mean look at Honkai Impact 3RD.

[@StrayMaverick]

Lol well, released that 6 hour video and then went to Japan, so now I'm back on the grind! Starting to edit another video tonight, so hopefully that will be out soon! 🥳

[@doctordonnanoble]

I enjoyed your entire analysis! Genshin has definitely reached new heights with Sumeru, new events now all feature multi-regional characters interacting and the character growth is fantastic. Star Rail is not quite there yet, but what it did show us so far is miles ahead of where Genshin was a year ago, the playing experience is also so much more user friendly. I'm having fun with both at the moment.

[@emca1597]

In the end the real winner is Hoyoverse since both own the games, they just switch focus, when HSR update seems slow, they're probably working on Genshin Impact

[@leroiwiuwiu9479]

Love both games. Star Rail reminds me of Final Fantasy games I played back in the day and Genshin reminds me more of Zelda games. Hoyoverse did an amazing job modernizing both these genres, I mean, I play these two games daily and it has been a long time since I bought a FF or Zelda game. They just did not modernize in the same way.

[@SandB]

I never noticed genshin’s lack of a core cast until hsr. Ur analysis is so right

[@asoret]

Yes, always found so strange why genshin adds so many "mario party" minigames, when their combat is good but well, still disappointed that they decided to add a cards game for permanent content, instead of something like simulated universe in star rail, and the worst part is that it doesn't even give you any weekly resource after you reach max level there, so you don't have any reason to keep playing it if you don't like it that much

[@ThriceCold101]

@@asoret most of the playerbase are casuals (50% are female) and think even the abyss is too hard, so they just add content to appease to the larger mainstream crowd, who play the game as a dating simulator and to write fanfictions

[@asoret]

@@ThriceCold101 I wouldn't mind if they went more all in with dating simulator, but feels like a strange mix of everything, still like it

[@davidvandersterre]

I was curious what the main difference would be, and if I would want to play SR. I had my answer within the first minute of watching this vid, giving you a thumbs up for that bro, thanks for saving my time. I want the type of combat Genshin provides. If I'd want to play a turn-based game I'm just gonna play Genius Invocation TCG, WITHIN Genshin. Maybe it's not as extensive as SR, but it does the job of being a turn-based game just fine. And besides I even get the chance to gain something from it, in one of my already mostly played games.

[@Ellilvia]

Both. I love both of them for different reasons. Also I just played Yoimiya's second story. I think they did a great job with it. Even Kaveh's new hangout is good.

[@Melotaku]

For me Genshin is much easier to get fully invested in and kind of function as a “main game.” While I think I could get into Star Rail but only for the story and not get super invested in all of the other systems.

[@STau]

I suspect the mysterious MC is partially to allow the player to inject their own self into the character. Trailblazer has different dialogue choices, but sometimes they feel like they're allowing the player to pick the personality or emotion to convey rather than attempting to narrate the actual personality of the MC (as opposed to Genshin where they want to push a specific narrative). For me, the main benefit the Traveler has is a clear motive, which helps progress the larger story (ie, finding their sibling). I'm enjoying both games (even though I didn't expect to much like turn-based), but for the MC, I really have no idea what their purpose is, other than to be brought along for the ride. I have empathy with the Traveler, but no real attachment to the Trailblazer yet. That said, if I woke up randomly in a space station under attack with amnesia and then got invited to explore the universe on a space train to avoid being stuck indefinitely at that space station, I'm not sure I'd say no 😅 Hopefully both games improve over time. The Genshin storytelling has definitely improved through the chapters, and I imagine some of this knowledge has also moved to HSR as well, leading to the stronger HSR story launch. Similarly, I hope some of the HSR QoL migrates back to Genshin.

[@omgaminah2388]

I'm trying to get into Honkai:Star Rail and Genshin Impact and I know that I have a lot of lore I need to watch. Thank you for helping me with that.

[@MondayAgainBip]

It's annoying that people are already complaining about lack of content or high level resources being too hard to obtain. Some people have been AR 59 for way too long.

[@StrayMaverick]

Yeaaahhh. I still have a ton of stuff to do and just got to TR 40. I can see why it would get kinda annoying if you were streaming it, but for everyone else, there's definitely currently enough to do. Hell, I can spend hours just in Simulated Universe. Lol

[@asoret]

And also people complaining about no main story next patch lol, they should enjoy the massive ammounts of events that are coming, more than anything we need the extra resources now, to get closer to our first maxed characters

[@saerenlawliet2756]

My day's going pretty well, hope yours is too

[@StrayMaverick]

The fact that you responded to that has made my day. So, it's going well. 😆 lol

[@NerdyGamerReacts]

Subbed, I'm thinking about starting Honkai Star rail soon, I'm excited! 😃

[@iciuci4112]

Give me the VOLUME 3 of Genshin Impact Story

[@iciuci4112]

Please 🥺🥺🥺

[@oongleyoo]

patience! he's talked about how long those videos take to make. also, my guess is that it will have the whole sumeru arc through the traveller setting foot in fontaine, so I wouldn't expect it to be out until at least fontaine is out :P

[@batrieniel]

got honkai star rail ad just before this video lmao

[@saerenlawliet2756]

The one single ad of the youtuber saying he loves the game ? I keep getting it and it's driving me mad

[@Aetherakabane]

Bro SAME FR

[@StrayMaverick]

Lmao vote tampering!

[@batrieniel]

@@saerenlawliet2756 YEAH ITS DORO44 AND I LOVE HIM BUT IM GOING TO PULL OUT MY BRAINCELLS IF I GET IT AGAIN.

[@batrieniel]

@@StrayMaverick 🏃🏽‍♀️💨💨

[@renjigutierrez4498]

You are on point with your review my friend . Star rail has its own merits, they are their own genre, sure, star rail is fresh and of course a lot better than a lot in terms of turn based games. I play both games. At one point genshin was at its best, it has certain has its limits pointing out to the consoles or devices you can play genshin with. Star rail is bascially Final fantasy games with Persona vibes while Genshin is based in Zelda BOTW. Regardless of both fanbases quarelling and tellin who is saying the best game is, it is a win win for Hoyoverse in its own right. More money for them to invest in the future of all its games.

[@asoret]

Yes, actually doesn't matter which is better, you can play both or choose the one you prefer, personally I went from pokemon to genshin, thinking it could have some relation but now with star rail its much obvious I love it

[@dampy1328]

Do you plan to come back to the story reviews of genshin quests?

[@Etc-2577]

im pretty sure the genshin characters we met and see already have their stories over and done with. We dont rly see characters developed over the game instead we learn of their history and their story they lived before. We are basically looking at them post trauma and after they already resolved it

[@RealDemimondaine]

You should definitely show us the Genshin merch you got during your trip. Would make for an entertaining video!

[@norbertsatro6752]

Holy, did you really compare game which is almost 3 years on service vs game which have like month?

[@StrayMaverick]

Yes. I mention this at the end.

[@potofgreeed]

would love ur analysis on space station. i liked the opening of the game, but i also just love story analysis and other peoples opinions :D

[@jaimereupert4247]

Here's an idea for companies, make a mobile rpg that's NOT a gacha game. Or have some stupid stamina system where i can't play the game because i "used my stamina and have to wait for it to slowly recharge".

[@ryzhik9608]

Star Rail is really focused on the auto play- I mean it's "rich" compact *pfft*

[@Moiyima]

My day is going pretty well honestly, I got some work done, played some genshin, and generally just enjoyed the day! Hope yours is going well too:)

[@Moiyima]

for the algorithm! for the algorithm!

[@StrayMaverick]

I'm really glad to hear that! I released the video and then started work on the next, also been reading comments. And comments like yours have made my night! 😊

[@MegaMrASD]

I mean in reality, this are 2 completely different games that just have the same gatcha system. There are significantly less similarities between them then there are differences. Not even sure why people are really comparing these 2 games (just because they are made by the same studio doesn’t mean they should be compared). It should be compared to persona and FF and even that wouldn’t be a real comparison since those aren’t mobile games or gotcha games. If anything this reminds me of Raid Shadow legends with way more epic boss fights, better battle animations, but a lot less character options, however significantly more waifus and anime.

[@arelievermilion]

Honkai star rail sold it for me, people say they hate turn based combat but its much more easier in terms of multitasking stuff, as an 59 AR in genshin battling enemies its too boring and god i would pay to get an auto button on domains because its a pain doing the same thing all the time and actually having to be controlling. Its much more comfortable let the auto do the boring stuff.

[@Cameron_Ember1]

Personally, I have not tried HSR, though the story seems very interesting. In my eyes, Genshin will always be the better game, not because it actually is, but because it has a special place in my heart. Though, like stated in the video, you get more interactions with the characters in HSR than in Genshin. I wish we would be able to interact more with the characters and not the NPCs. I think at this point the only thing stopping me from playing HSR is the fact that it is a turn-based game, which I do not like, and the fact that I don't have enough storage. I think that at the end of the day both games are very fun and amazing and both are great, it just depends on personal opinion. I also feel as if HSR had more of a starting point than Genshin, because a large part of the Genshin community also started playing HSR, though this is just by noticing people online. Do you recommend I play HSR? Or is it a game that doesn't need to be played?

[@StrayMaverick]

Totally fair points. I love Genshin as well and think it's a great game, obviously. As for whether I think you should play HSR, I would say yes. It's free and it has some of the best turn-based combat I've seen in awhile. I've actually seen a lot of Genshin players who say they hate turn based combat actually enjoy it. So, it doesn't hurt to give it a try. And like I say in the video, the story only gets better. So if that's a large pull for you in Genshin, then you should definitely give it a shot! Let me know what ya think about it if ya do! And thanks for the awesome comment.

[@asoret]

Yes you should try it, even if you don't enjoy that much the combat there is auto mode, and the story and animations are worth it

[@Alex-rn1zo]

Serval (and gepars by proxy) quest was also super good

[@kingalex105x7]

I personally prefer genshins story because i love how it focuses on the world building, starrail i wish did it more it tries with luofu but drops the ball. ps yoimiya part 2 is peak

[@flyingcow5235]

imo, (and just in MY opinion) i like genshin better. i am more into exploration. there is almost no exploration in hsr, u can't jump, climb or fly, u do have infinite sprint but the maps are just too small for me. i'm also not a huge fan of turn based. in genshin, if there's no content, i can just do exploration. i have many areas stuck at 70% (except for sumeru, i absolutely loved sumeru and most areas are at 100% and those that aren't are above 90%) so i can just explore those areas. the same can't be said for hsr tho. what got me hooked to genshin was exploration. even after i was done with all the content, i could still run around collecting chests and stuff. but in hsr, after ur done with all the quests, the only other thing u can do is farm relics

[@FreyFantom]

Only reason why you get more interactions with characters is because the story and world are a LOT smaller in HSR. If Genshin was a small, instanced world and not an open world one, there would be more character interactions and faster developments. Remember, Genshin only feeds us a little at a time with characters, and then will soon circle back. Venti is a prime example, we saw his story, and will eventually see the next part, when the time comes. He certainly plays a massive part in the story that MHY is just not ready to show just yet. I think Genshin's lore and story as a whole is a lot larger than HSR. So it requires more set up than HSR, which seems to be more of an easier going story than the twisted one Genshin brings (I know there is some reason why these Archons are named after real Demons and we will soon see that). HSR may touch on some things, but to me thats cause its suppose to be GENSHINS side game. There's a reason why its got the same systems, interfaces, and (to me) a lot of look alike characters/places. Its just suppose to appeal to the Genshin community, keeping folks invested in MHY games as they continue to set up more big story for Genshin. That's just my take on it.

[@foozlesprite]

I agree with you on most of your points! I'm glad you had separate sections for main and character stories though, because while I feel like Star Rail is hitting its main story stride far earlier than Genshin did, what it bills as character stories are kind of laughable compared to Genshin's. You're right that Natasha's is definitely the most meaningful of them, I really liked hers. Hope to see them step up the game with them much as Genshin did. Thanks for your thoughts, I enjoyed the video!

[@asoret]

Still kinda unfair comparing 4 star characters (even some of them are free) to 5 star ones in genshin, even raiden which is an archon and the second part, which is one of the best ones, we will see how it goes, but im loving star rail, being able to finish the 100% explorations in some minutes and else

[@Rpground]

Well...sadly that decision aged poorly.

[@ADDITIONALBREAD]

With how star rail feels similar, familiar but a simplified version of the system of persona games. Will it affect the new persona mobile gacha game? They launched Chinese CB i think and with how successful Star rail is im starting to think that the persona gacha game might be on trouble. Hope the persona gacha game launches smoothly. Looking forward that game as and f2p player

[@elsemusic3550]

i hadnt even heard of a persona gacha game! :O

[@ADDITIONALBREAD]

@elsemusic3550 its called persona 5 the phantom x. CBT is awesome

[@StrayMaverick]

What's odd about the Persona gacha game is that it hasn't even been announced for anywhere outside of China yet, I don't think. I obviously think it will release for the rest, but it's still an odd choice. I feel like I can't be hyped about it yet. Lol

[@aljon5947]

Genshin is meant to be played on pc/console. Mobile genshin is clearly a money grab so you win, keep complaining. You cant really compare the two because one is open world/realtime combat and the other is non open-world/turn-based combat, which is why most people can only manage to compare the games’ stories and gacha. Genshin provides the joy of exploring,scenery, puzzles and mechanically-challenging(dash s) combat which mobile cant provide because mashing buttons on a tiny screen with a dynamic camera and potato graphics is not fun.

[@jessica_glass]

Still not sure who Genshin's main characters are.

[@StrayMaverick]

Kaveh because he's precious.

[@asoret]

Guess traveler, paimon, the archons and fatui heralds, like he said seems like the rest are more like filler characters that just randomly appears on events (maybe the same happens with star rail but well, at least has more main characters)

[@Zeet1]

Yoimiya story quests are my favorite though… 🎉

[@rheza6496]

xianzhou arc be like nononono

[@Maxtsu_no]

Personally i prefer HSR. I have been playing genshin for a while but I just couldn’t get into it the same way that HSR does. Personally gameplay doesn’t matter to me, so when it comes to the difference between turn based vs open world, it’s practically irrelevant. HOWEVER, HSR characters are a lot more interactive & lively. I can chat with them whenever I want, and the dialogue is funny. I also got into HSR’s story a lot faster than genshin, a lot of the story was boring & the only storyline I was interested in it was Sumeru. Also HSR is wayyy easier for F2P casual players. I can’t even pull often in Genshin but HSR I can easily get majority the characters and barely have to worry about spending irl money. Overall, Genshin has appeal because of the lore & characters, but HSR is more interesting & lively in storyline & WAY easier on my wallet Edit: Spelling change

[@elsemusic3550]

i agree oml as soon as I saw the fun things you can do with trash cans in this game, i was hooked XD its so fun just exploring and reading everything is star rail and just being a goofy weirdo

[@StrayMaverick]

Lmao yeah, Star Rail gives you the weirdest options, like, hiding in closets and speaking to voices. The MC has problems. 🤣

[@warbalde98h53]

why i couldn't accept that i hate auto attack and no dodging game

[@SUK1R]

Genshin all the Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@StrayMaverick]

It's putting up a good fight! Lol

[@alpacamix]

It seem most player have their expectations standard base on genshin instead they should look at honkai impact3 since star rail more lean towards it storywise. and zone base open world is mostly same as samsara and city inside HI3

[@lovemyselfmariya7765]

Honestly, the thing that sets apart Genshin from Star Rail is itself. Genshin is a game on its own and star rail is another game on its own. The games aren’t supposed to collide, thus no comparison can or should be done. These are separate games with separate stories, characters and lores. The universe of Genshin and Star Rail may be the same, but they aren’t directly connected to each other. I am tired of seeing people compare these two awesome games. Let’s enjoy both games separately and not try to compare them. They aren’t even the same at their cores.

[@peen2804]

They very much can be compared. As video games, as products produced by the same company, as gachas, they can be compared for every reason you said they can’t be, and in a million other ways. What you’re saying makes no logical sense and is antithetical to the very concept of comparison. Doubly so when you’re specifically talking about 2 pieces of media from the same company that share myriad similarities in systems, presentation, stylistic decisions, monetization, narrative techniques, etc etc. Anything can be compared to anything for any reason. Your comment seems more like an attempt to actively avoid and dissuade comparison, therefore avoiding criticism because you for some reason believe comparison to be inherently negative. It is not.

[@richardwhite3521]

What if we gotta pick one to play because we only have so much time?

[@Totallyrealroddhoward]

Is Star Rail a reskin of Pokemon?

[@Richard030]

"The only turn based game anyone played was persona" like persona was anywhere near the game of pokemon Clarification: not hating, just a pokemon stan

[@ThriceCold101]

Welp I see it as genshin is the mainstream "appeal to mass audience" cash cow for hoyo, they game is the face of the company and they use it for monetary success, which they can put into games they actually want to make like the honkai series. If you look beneath the surface on genshin, it is a soul less, devoid of passion, manipulative gacha and it only exists to make hoyo some great cash. And imo thats hilarious because welp, I'll take it if it means they make games like hsr, though I feel sorry for the genshin players.

[@kontrolecavalry]

You're funny, I like you.

[@Ikuraga]

*clutches pearls* 😮

[@rianmilit]

No.

[@StrayMaverick]

~Simple and clean~

[@garakstailorshop]

Omg I love Star Trek

[@overisout3576]

Personally genshin is more fun than me

[@Elfoten]

Worst thing about star rail is the lack of updates

[@camilaGMW]

It's not for me. I hate turn based battles with a passion.

[@StrayMaverick]

You're definitely not alone. There are a lot of people who aren't fans of them. Are ya gonna try out Zenless Zone Zero when that releases?

[@camilaGMW]

@@StrayMaverick I did like the designs... But not very sure yet. My brain has very limited space and I can only play one game at the time... So, for now I'll just enjoy Genshin! Specially with Fontaine coming soon

[@ManansaPatra]

Ah, pretty rare to see someone who actually knows how bad liyue chapter is & not be blind sided by their disappointment with inazuma's chapter "Cough"(despite it being the most epic chapter in genshin so far) "cough"

[@2triedforthis830]

No cuz literally the four main archon quest were ok inazuma and liyue being worse? Than the other 4. 1) mondstat was alright i have a slow attention span so the fact i still played genshin after going through that quest tells me that it was interesting and that i hopefully would enjoy it. And it was an ok start to a story like this, and i feel like Mondstat will definitely be important later on in the story *looking at venti with a missing part 2 story quest and still o expansion* I’d say we will visit it soon. 2) Liyue, I was just going though it to just get it over with. The characters were cool looking *im looking at xiao* and the plot where there’s a dead god and we get accused of it seemed fun, and then we meet childe who I’m sure everyone knew wasn’t really our friend and that “”twist”” at the end was gonna come like come on?? Alright but from what I remember it was pretty boring until the osail fight and then it’s over. 3) inazuma was pretty what genshin has been known for at this point (not really) but since it was the first time we would get a whole new set of characters and region with you guessed it JAPAN and a woman shogun who was known to be very ruthless, people were excited and as was I. But then it came out and it’s pretty much what the pinical of what genshin story could be when it gets a cool ass set up just to make the ball roll down and hit absolutely nothing. Made even worse imo after we did raidens 1 quest which was ok it wasn’t as bad as people make it out to be but it’s still disappointing. I for one was and still am disappointed with kokomi. I really really don’t like what they did to her character and the lies they sputted because it showed nothing, at all about how she was this so called amazing strategist and always has a plan or what not. And even in 4.3 where we currently are were we shown her skilled brain or whatever. Maybe I just hate when something is said about a character and how they will do this great thing, or is this great thing but they do nothing with it. It really doesn’t sit right with me personally. But anyway inazuma was bad idc what anyone says. 4) Sumeru was actually a step up by a lot and unlike inazuma, it had more acts and the cast was actually really fun and engaging. What I mean is that they are actually like a group of friends especially the 4 Sumeru guys they are fun! But the whole elazar thing was dumb I really don’t see how fast they resolved it. And other thing I feel like was done bad was how slow everything was, I understand it was to build things up but in doing so they forgot elazar, and I feel like they could have done more with it instead of suddenly curing it. I also wanna say that dunazayrd should not have died I don’t see why she should and I’m not a fan of any person who said “X character should have died” because it would not add anything imo. 5) Fontaine and it’s my favorite one, I don’t really need to say a lot except Furina, and neuvilette, best character duo I love them alot. Only thing that I was mad about was we didn’t see Furina at the end when we saw literally every other character 😭 Ok anyway I just came here to rant and throw up my thoughts on the aq’s and I don’t have alot of opinions but I hope you didn’t mind…

[@jordanfn1793]

genshin is complete trash while HSR just keeps getting better and better