Honkai: Star Rail

Play it on: PS5, iOS, Android, Windows (Steam Deck YMMV)
Current goal: Acquire Black Swan no matter how much it hurts my wallet

Just when I think I’m out, Honkai: Star Rail pulls me back in. HoYoverse’s sci-fi RPG received its first major update this week in the form of version 2.0, and I have fallen deep back into the grind.

The expected inclusion of new limited-time events and gorgeous new characters to pull for (I have not gotten Black Swan yet but I will not stop until I do) are all there in 2.0. But what is most surprising is the continuation of Star Rail’s Trailblazer Missions, the game’s main quest. Since the game’s release last April the story has been intriguing, but fallen victim to the same self-contained narrative styling of Genshin Impact. Version 2.0 throws that out the window and sets the stage for what is sure to be the central conflict of the game going forward. This is all tied together by Penacony, the new area dripping in opulence and rotten to the core. It’s a delight to explore thanks to HoYoverse’s penchant for gorgeous settings filled to the brim with fascinating characters. It’s all been enough to convince me to start logging in every day again. — Willa Rowe