Honkai: Star Rail, the free turn-based RPG from Chinese developer MiHoYo, has established itself in early 2026 as one of the biggest phenomena in the gaming scene, with an impressive base of 30 million active players per month. The game, which originally debuted in April 2023, continues to attract a legion of fans thanks to a strategy of constant updates, with the latest chapter, ‘As Tomorrow Became Yesterday,’ released in November 2025. This massive success shows how free-to-play titles are winning space in the hearts of Brazilian players, offering high-quality experiences without the need for an initial investment, a crucial factor at a time of a high dollar and elevated AAA game prices.
The recipe for this continuous engagement lies in the combination of a captivating narrative and an accessible turn-based battle system. In the plot, you take on the role of an amnesiac ‘Trailblazer,’ an empty person who receives a mysterious and dangerous object, being gradually introduced to a vast sci-fi universe. Meanwhile, the gameplay differs from other popular RPGs like Genshin Impact, focusing on strategy and dungeon exploration. In this way, the game manages to attract both veterans of the Honkai series and new players, thanks to an original story that does not require prior knowledge of the universe.
MiHoYo’s Ecosystem and Fierce Competition
Beyond the resounding success of Honkai: Star Rail, MiHoYo stands out in the market with other giants. The main one is Genshin Impact, which even grossed about R$ 19 billion in its first year, a monstrous figure converted to Brazilian Real. The company also has Zenless Zone Zero, an action RPG with an urban fantasy theme, in its portfolio. However, the competition is not sleeping. One of the major rivals that emerged is Wuthering Waves from Kuro Games, which even won the Player’s Voice award at The Game Awards 2025, proving that the battle for players’ attention is fiercer than ever.
The future for MiHoYo and its fans looks promising. The developer already has a new project underway, Honkai: Nexus Anima, a sequel that appears to be a creature-collection game within the same universe. On the other hand, the free RPG scene promises to expand even further with titles like Varsapura, an open-world RPG with inspirations from Control and a modern supernatural setting. Therefore, even with the cost of living and entertainment rising, Brazilian players can count on a robust offering of quality and free RPGs, which truly outshine many paid titles.
