Honkai: Star Rail is a free-to-play space fantasy RPG from HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact. You travel between worlds aboard the Astral Express, recruiting characters and fighting in turn-based battles where you exploit enemy weaknesses and plan follow-up attacks. It suits players who like story-heavy RPGs and collecting characters, and who are comfortable with a gacha system.
Official ways to play
- Windows: the Epic Games Store lists the game as free. HoYoverse’s official site also offers it through the company’s HoYoPlay PC launcher.
- iPhone and iPad: the App Store, published by COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD. (HoYoverse’s publishing company); the listing asks for iOS 13 or later.
- Android: Google Play, from the same publisher.
At the time of writing the Epic listing and official site were on Version 4.5, “To Roll the Stars in Astropolis”. Game updates arrive through the store or launcher you installed from.
Money: gacha, top-ups and the monthly pass
The game is free, but its business model is character and equipment draws. The Epic listing’s rating notes “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)”. Paid items listed there include the Express Supply Pass at $4.99 and Oneiric Shard top-ups from $14.99 to $99.99. Set a budget before you start if random draws are a concern, and consider parental controls for younger players.
Age rating
The Epic Games Store shows 12+ for moderate violence and mild swearing, with in-game purchases including random items. Google Play in the US shows Teen, and the App Store shows 12+.
PC requirements
The Epic listing gives Windows 7 SP1 64-bit, an Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM for both minimum and recommended, with a GeForce GTX 650 or better as the minimum graphics card and a GTX 1060 or higher recommended. Epic also lists an Epic ID as a required login when you install from its store.
Avoid fake versions
Popular gacha games attract “mod APKs”, fake top-up sites and account sellers. Buy currency only inside the game or through HoYoverse’s own official top-up page. Do not install APKs from mirror sites, and never share your HoYoverse account login; third-party tools that automate or alter the game break the terms of service and can get the account banned.
Questions
Is Honkai: Star Rail free?
Yes, on every platform. Purchases, including random draws, are optional.
Can I play on PC and phone with the same progress?
HoYoverse games use a HoYoverse account. Sign in with the same account on each device you install the game on.
Is it on Steam?
No Steam listing appears in Steam’s store search. On PC, use the Epic Games Store or HoYoPlay.
