While HoYoverse is today known for its free-to-play RPG behemoths, the Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail developer took years to reach this point. Before the barrage of updates and expansions for the best HoYoverse games, the developer worked on smaller-scale projects across genres.
While some of them are no longer available globally, their past offers an interesting glimpse into a cultural force in the gaming industry.
Key Takeaways
- Games from miHoYo span multiple genres, from side-scrolling shooters and mystery titles to sprawling action RPGs.
- Legend of Saha was a simple adventure game that led to the development of FlyMe2theMoon and Zombiegal Kawaii.
- Among miHoYo’s latest RPGs, Honkai: Star Rail opts for turn-based combat, while Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact stick to real-time combat.
- Most of these games include Gacha elements that offer unique characters for real-world money.
- Despite the release of newer titles, Genshin Impact is the best game from HoYoverse, thanks to its deep RPG systems and engaging combat.
Best HoYoverse Games in 2024
We rank all the best HoYoverse games that miHoYo developed and cover everything you need to know about these experiences.
9. Legend of Saha
Quick Overview
Legend of Saha may be primitive and far from the miHoYo games we know today, but it showcased the young studio’s creativity, especially considering the limited time frame in which it was made.
Key Features:
- Genre: Isometric platformer
- Combat: No direct combat other than hazard avoidance
- Story: Misei Nanatsuki on an adventure through the Heavens
- Multiplayer: None
- Release year: 2010
- Monetization: None
- Availability: No longer publically available (hosted on archive sites)
8. Zombiegal Kawaii
Quick Overview
Zombiegal Kawaii is a side-scrolling shooter available for iPhone and iPad devices. In it, you can change into a range of different clothing options and attack with dozens of weapons.
Key Features:
- Genre: Side-scrolling shooter
- Combat: Ranged and melee combat
- Story: Kiana Kaslana has to protect her high school from a zombie invasion
- Multiplayer: None
- Release year: 2013
- Monetization: Free-to-play with optional “medal” microtransactions
- Availability: Download on the Apple App Store
7. FlyMe2theMoon
Quick Overview
FlyMe2theMoon is a portrait-orientated mobile game where you fly up through 60 levels in an attempt to make it to the moon.
Key Features:
- Genre: Vertical platformer
- Combat: No combat (hazard avoidance)
- Story: Kiana Kaslana wants to fly to the moon
- Multiplayer: None
- Release year: 2011
- Monetization: Completely free to play (no microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on the Apple App Store
6. Gun Girl Z
Quick Overview
Gun Girl Z is a side-scrolling shooter featuring a ton of anime girls which is available for smartphones. It’s since now defunct, but a version of the game is still playable via the Google Play Store.
Key Features:
- Genre: 2D side-scrolling shooter
- Combat: Run-and-gun shooter with dozens of weapons
- Story: A group of girls saving the world from the apocalypse
- Multiplayer: Yes (but now defunct)
- Release year: 2014
- Monetization: Optional microtransactions (store now closed)
- Availability: Download on the Google Play Store
5. Tears of Themis
Quick Overview
Tears of Themis is a fantasy romance visual novel game set in the near future. There are a total of four love interests, complete with in-depth voice acting and high production values.
Key Features:
- Genre: Romance visual novel
- Combat: None
- Story: You play as a rookie attorney trying to uncover a conspiracy
- Multiplayer: No
- Release year: 2021
- Monetization: Free to download (includes microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on Apple App Store; Download on Google Play Store
4. Honkai Impact 3rd
Quick Overview
Honkai Impact 3rd is the first big mainstream hit for miHoYo, available on both PC and mobile. It features 3D cell-shaded graphics, with more intense action than prior titles.
Key Features:
- Genre: Third-person spectacle fighter
- Combat: Melee and ranged with special attacks
- Story: Kiana Kaslana goes on a mission to save the world
- Multiplayer: Online co-op functionality
- Release year: 2016
- Monetization: Free to download (includes Gacha elements and microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on Steam; Download on Google Play; Download on App Store
3. Zenless Zone Zero
Quick Overview
Zenless Zone Zero is the latest HoYoverse game which returns to the action-packed real-time combat of the company’s prior titles like Honkai Impact 3rd.
Key Features:
- Genre: Action-RPG
- Combat: Real-time melee combat
- Story: ZZZ takes place in New Eridu, the last surviving human city
- Multiplayer: ZZZ has asymmetric multiplayer (no co-op)
- Release year: 2024
- Monetization: Free to download (includes Gacha elements and microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on Epic Games; Download on Google Play; Download on App Store
2. Honkai: Star Rail
Quick Overview
Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG featuring the company’s signature anime character aesthetic, inspired by some of the genre’s greats.
Key Features:
- Genre: Turn-based RPG
- Combat: Real-time melee combat
- Story: Following an attack, you go on an adventure through space
- Multiplayer: None
- Release year: 2023
- Monetization: Free to download (includes Gacha elements and microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on Epic Games; Download on Google Play; Download on App Store
1. Genshin Impact
Quick Overview
Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG featuring the company’s signature anime character aesthetic, inspired by some of the genre’s greats.
Key Features:
- Genre: Action RPG
- Combat: Real-time ranged and melee combat
- Story: The Traveller is separated from their twin sibling.
- Multiplayer: Optional co-op
- Release year: 2020
- Monetization: Free to download (includes Gacha elements and microtransactions)
- Availability: Download on Epic Games; Download on Google Play; Download on App Store
miHoYo Games List
- Legend of Saha (2010) – Adventure game
- FlyMe2theMoon (2011) – Platform game
- Zombiegal Kawaii (2012) – Side-scrolling zombie shooter
- Gun Girl Z (2014) – Side-scrolling shooter
- Honkai Impact 3rd (2016) – 3D action RPG
- Tears of Themis (2020) – Detective adventure
- Genshin Impact (2020) – Action RPG
- Honkai: Star Rail (2023) – Turn-based RPG
- Zenless Zone Zero (2024) – Action RPG
The Bottom Line
All HoYoverse games tend to hop between multiple genres and are distinct enough to try at least once. From side-scrollers to setting foot in another universe, it’s clear that miHoYo doesn’t shy away from experimenting. Will a new HoYoverse game take over your HoYoverse launcher? To stand a chance, it’ll have to promise the kind of support that Genshin Impact has enjoyed for years.
While most of their games add in Gacha monetization, their newer entries offer more value for your investment while letting free players work toward in-game progression in a meaningful way. If you’re wondering where you should start on miHoYo’s games list, we recommend going with either Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, or Zenless Zone Zero. Regardless of which game you pick, a satisfying journey through exotic lands awaits you.
FAQs
What games are owned by HoYoverse?
Are miHoYo and Hoyoverse the same?
What is the most successful HoYoverse game?
Are Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail connected?
Is Genshin Impact a kids’ game?
Is Zenless Zone Zero a gacha?
Is Honkai: Star Rail only on PC?
Should you play Genshin Impact before Honkai: Star Rail?
References
- Zombiegal Kawaii on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- FlyMe2theMoon on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- 崩壊学園 – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Tears of Themis on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Tears of Themis – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Honkai Impact 3rd on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Honkai Impact 3rd – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Honkai Impact 3rd on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Zenless Zone Zero | Download and Play for Free – Epic Games Store (Store.epicgames)
- Zenless Zone Zero – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Zenless Zone Zero on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Honkai: Star Rail | Download and Play for Free – Epic Games Store (Store.epicgames)
- Honkai: Star Rail – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Honkai: Star Rail on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Genshin Impact | Download and Play for Free – Epic Games Store (Store.epicgames)
- Genshin Impact: Natlan Launch on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Genshin Impact: Natlan Launch – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)