Honkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting Pattern

As a long-time fan of the Honkai Impact series, I am thrilled to see the evolution of the game world with the introduction of Amphoreus in version 3.0. Having traversed through Penacony and Xianzhou Luofu, it’s refreshing to finally set foot on a real planet instead of an artificial space station or starship.

In January, the latest version 3.0 of “Honkai: Star Rail” will be available for players to explore. This update introduces a brand-new world called Amphoreus and at least ten fresh characters, which promises an exciting future for fans of “Honkai: Star Rail”.

Even though the Astral Express is supposed to make stops at planets on the Star Rail, Amphoreus stands out as unique compared to the previous destinations the train has visited. Although Amphoreus shares some similarities with other settings in Honkai: Star Rail, it marks a return to the game’s original style.

Amphoreus, the Eternal Land

Honkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting Pattern

Star Rail is referred to as Amphoreus, or the Everlasting Land. This new world is modeled after Greek and Roman mythology and will feature novel Non-Player Characters (NPCs) and playable heroes. While the creators of Honkai: Star Rail haven’t disclosed many details about Amphoreus’ appearance, rumors suggest that it may include a unique time-altering aspect called Thermae, resembling ancient Greek and Roman hot springs with time-bending properties.

It’s clear that Amphoreus, within Honkai: Star Rail, shows a noticeable Greek influence. In the Golden Epic trailer, released on November 22nd, we see Greek motifs, gold and blue details, columns, and a river flowing, which is suggested to be the River Styx in the voice-over. Moreover, some of the newly introduced characters in Honkai: Star Rail at Amphoreus have designs inspired by Greece, such as Aglaea who sports a golden laurel wreath.

The recently unveiled Amphoreus characters draw inspiration not only from their designs but also their names, which are rooted in Greek culture and mythology. For instance, Hyacine might be a nod to Hyacinth, the beloved of Apollo who met an untimely end. Although the specifics of their gameplay kits remain undisclosed, the characters’ descriptions in the trailer hint at a connection to Greek mythology. One such character, Tribbie, is described as a three-faced messenger who moves between doors, which could symbolize the three-faced goddess Hecate, a deity linked with crossroads.

In a nod to mythological themes, Amphoreus isn’t the sole example; Xianzhou Luofu’s characters are also rooted in Chinese mythology, much like those on Amphoreus. However, what sets Amphoreus apart from its precursors like Xianzhou Luofu and Penacony is a significant difference in one key aspect.

Amphoreus vs Its Predecessors

Honkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting PatternHonkai: Star Rail's Amphoreus is Poised to Break a Recent Setting Pattern

Before we reach Amphoreus, there’s a colossal space hotel named Penacony, which floats in space. Two tiny Alderson disks hover around it, each containing lands and waters, making Penacony seem like a more natural environment. Yet, it’s important to remember that this cosmic landscape is still man-made.

Just like Xianzhou Luofu, one of the six main vessels in the Hexafleet, it’s a striking starship within the Xianzhou Alliance fleet due to its advanced medical facilities and trading centers. Although Xianzhou Luofu was accessible at launch, it, along with Penacony, are the most recent locations in Honkai: Star Rail where players have been able to create their characters.

Organic vs Artificial

With Amphoreus joining Honkai: Star Rail starting from version 3.0, it’s intriguing to speculate if other game elements might revert to traditional styles in the update. Notably, Amphoreus marks a departure from the series’ usual artificial settings like Penacony and Xianzhou Luofu, as it represents a real-world planet instead. However, this planetary setting could be disrupted by the fact that Amphoreus is an organic environment rather than a space station or starship.

It can be said that when comparing design, a planet has more room for unique layouts compared to a space station or starship. Although Honkai: Star Rail deviated from common space station themes by featuring Penacony as the Reverie Hotel and its Dreamscapes, Xianzhou Luofu still adheres closely to traditional starship designs. While images of Amphoreus are not abundant, it appears that Honkai: Star Rail is leveraging the natural surroundings in its newest setting.

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2024-12-08 22:33