miHoYo, the creators of the wildly popular Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, have kept fans guessing about their next big project. Initial speculation ranged from a cozy Animal Crossing-style survival game (leaked gameplay fueled these rumors) to a sprawling RPG on the scale of Baldur's Gate 3.

However, recent rumors and job postings suggest a different direction entirely. Instead of a standalone title, miHoYo's "answer" to Larian Studios' hit RPG appears to be a new addition to the Honkai franchise. This new game will reportedly:

• Feature an open world: Set in a coastal entertainment town, players will explore a vast and dynamic environment.
• Focus on spirit collection: Players will gather and develop spirits from various dimensions, reminiscent of Pokémon's creature collection and evolution mechanics. Team building and strategic battles will be key.
• Offer unique traversal: Spirits will provide unique abilities, allowing players to fly and surf across the game world.
• Embrace the auto-battler genre: The core gameplay will revolve around auto-battler or auto-chess mechanics.

This intriguing blend of Pokémon, Baldur's Gate 3, and Honkai elements promises a fresh take on familiar concepts, expanding the Honkai universe in unexpected ways. The development timeline remains uncertain, but the project's unique design certainly sparks curiosity.