Overview
Honkai: Nexus Anima uses a free-to-play model with gacha elements. The game is published by HoYoverse. The primary currency is Aspect Gems, which can be earned through in-game activities like story quests. All information below comes from the first beta test (Nexus Bond Test) and may change before launch.
Platforms and Availability
Honkai: Nexus Anima is expected to be free-to-play across all of its platforms. The PC, iOS, and Android versions are all officially confirmed. On PC the game is distributed through HoYoPlay, HoYoverse's own launcher, where pre-registration opened on September 4, 2026 with an auto-download option for launch day; no third-party PC store and no iOS or Android store listing had been announced as of October 2026. The first beta phase, the Nexus Bond Test, ran on PC and iOS only; the Android client was added for the later Aspect Exploration Project test. No console version had been announced as of October 2026.
Gacha System
The gacha operates through Kardia-limited pools. 5-star Kardia characters and their destined 5-star Anima are available through these pulls. Pulling duplicates of a 5-star Anima allows evolution up to 6 times, increasing stats and capabilities. Limited Heartscape pools may also yield 5-star Kardia and destined 5-star Anima.
Free Acquisition
Not everything requires gacha. Several paths exist for getting Anima and equipment without spending:
Item | Description |
|---|---|
3-star and below Anima | Captured through open-world Bond Encounters for free |
4-star Anima | Purchasable once with accumulated in-game rewards |
Gold-tier Anima | Earned through quest completion |
Early Kardia equipment | Free equipment for Maple, Cassio Rollex, and Jalily at Level 21 |
5 starting Anima | Puddlipup, Pupanoo, Nomnom, Vulberry, and Rimechime given during tutorial |
Aspect Gem Store
The Aspect Gem store unlocks at Level 14. It offers direct purchase options for specific 5-star Anima and Kardia equipment at set Aspect Gem prices. This provides a non-gacha path to specific units, though the prices are steep enough that it takes significant playtime to accumulate the Gems.
Store offerings during the beta (items unlock at different levels):
Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
Hamburgoof (5-star Anima) | 800 Aspect Gems, available at Level 18 |
Pomparrot (5-star Anima) | 800 Aspect Gems, available at Level 21 |
800 Aspect Gems, available at Level 24 | |
800 Aspect Gems, available at Level 24 | |
Exclusive Kardia equipment (e.g., Parayaya) | 1,250 Aspect Gems, requires Level 21-24 content completion |
5-Star Kardia
The highest-rarity Kardia characters are obtained through gacha or, in some cases, the Aspect Gem store. Known 5-star Kardia include Blade, Parayaya (available in two forms. Novarch and Sovereign), and Armand. These characters have the strongest Exclusive Principles and highest base stats.
Cosmetics
Fashion skins for the protagonist were available during the beta at the following prices:
"Destiny" outfit: 650 Aspect Gems
"Beef Noodles" outfit: 360 Aspect Gems
Cosmetic skins appear to be a major part of the monetization strategy. The post-beta DevTalk said clothing, accessory, and other customization options would be expanded; whether that means a larger cosmetic store is speculation.
Character Progression Layer
The Evolution Test raised the weight of playable characters in combat by giving them levels, skill trees, and equipment to develop. In battle, characters can grant global buffs and cast commander skills that swing key rounds; while exploring, they raise capture rates and unlock interactions. Preview coverage read this deeper character investment as a likely additional monetization avenue alongside the existing Anima and Kardia pulls, though specific costs for the new systems, including Chromatic Anima and Anima Evolution, have not been disclosed.
Competitive Pressure
The Evolution Test build did include one head-to-head mode, Friend Battles, but it is challenge-based against players already on your friends list rather than matchmade, and no ranked ladder or season structure has been shown. For monetization that still leaves no meta race and no leaderboard to climb, so the gacha stays closer to a collection incentive than a power chase. You want new Anima and Kardia because they're interesting or fun, not because you'll lose to other players without them.