No, Genshin Impact is not a prequel to Honkai. These popular titles, while developed by the same company, exist as distinct stories within a broader narrative framework rather than a chronological sequence.
Understanding the Relationship Between Genshin and Honkai
Genshin Impact and games within the Honkai universe, such as Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail, are not directly connected in a linear timeline. There is no official lore that places Genshin Impact before or after any Honkai game in a direct cause-and-effect manner.
Instead, all three games are designed to be independent narratives that run parallel to each other. They reside within a larger fictional concept often referred to as the "Imaginary Tree" or multiverse, where each game represents a different "world" or "branch." This means that while there might be shared themes, character archetypes, or even subtle easter eggs, their storylines do not directly connect or follow one another chronologically.
Key Aspects of Their Connection:
- Independent Stories: Each game offers a unique storyline, characters, and gameplay mechanics that can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the others.
- Parallel Existence: They exist simultaneously in a shared multiverse, rather than one preceding or succeeding the other.
- No Direct Chronology: There is no official timeline that places Genshin Impact before or after Honkai Impact 3rd or Honkai: Star Rail. Genshin Impact was not a sequel to Honkai Impact 3rd, and Honkai: Star Rail is not a sequel to Genshin Impact.
- Shared Developer: All games are developed by HoYoverse, which is why players might notice stylistic similarities or recurring character designs, but these are artistic choices, not narrative links.
Game Relationship Overview
To further clarify their independence from a chronological perspective:
| Game 1 | Relationship | Game 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact | Not a Prequel | Honkai Impact 3rd |
| Genshin Impact | Not a Sequel | Honkai Impact 3rd |
| Honkai: Star Rail | Not a Sequel | Genshin Impact |
| All Three | Exist in Tandem | (Within a Multiverse) |
Therefore, to reiterate, Genshin Impact is not a prequel to Honkai. They are separate, standalone experiences that coexist within HoYoverse's expansive fictional framework.
