Honkai Star Rail 2.1 Review: “Possibly The Best Patch Yet”

Warning: this article contains some spoilers for 's story.

The release of ’s Version 2.1 sets new standards for the popular turn-based space RPG developed and published by HoYoverse. The title is set to complete its first anniversary with the current patch, even if the second year of content officially started earlier, with the release of 2.0 back in February. As a live-service product, the game is not complete but, instead, gradually receives updates that bring forth new story quests, new playable characters, limited-time events, quality-of-life improvements, and much more.

With the arrival of Version 2.1, the main campaign set in Penacony continues its deliberately and delightfully obscured storyline, masked by the wondrous colors of the Planet of Festivities, and dives even deeper into the darkness. The update also brings with it three new playable characters, including the debut of Acheron in , alongside a few limited-time events and a massive celebration of the game’s first anniversary with plenty of generous rewards to thank players for their continued support.

Honkai: Star Rail 2.1 is possibly the best patch yet.

Version 2.1 delves into the core of existentialism and embraces the darker tone for what the series is known for. Tear-jerking sad stories, emotional character development, and one-on-one time with the characters that go through these tales fuel the emotional component present in the update. The groundwork set by 2.0 is very well explored in Version 2.1. That giant cliffhanger left at the end of the previous patch is addressed and it pushes the narrative forward with split character stories that progress separately, only to converge at its superb ending.

2.1 is possibly the best patch yet.

Throughout the main story missions, players learn more about the motivations and the secrets that the new characters have, how they connect to the larger franchise and how they don’t, as well as see those backstories move the current main scenario ahead.