miHoYo's next title, following the success of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, is generating considerable buzz, though perhaps not in the way many anticipated. Initial speculation ranged from an Animal Crossing-style survival game (later seemingly confirmed by leaks) to a sprawling RPG akin to Baldur's Gate 3.

Recent rumors and job postings, however, suggest a different direction entirely: a new entry within the Honkai universe. This open-world game, set in a coastal entertainment town, will center around collecting and developing spirits from various dimensions. Think Pokémon, but with a twist. Players will nurture their spirits, evolving them and building teams for strategic battles. These spirits will even offer unique traversal options, such as flying and surfing.

Interestingly, the game's genre is described as an auto-battler or auto-chess title. This unexpected blend of Pokémon's creature collection, Baldur's Gate 3's RPG elements (potentially in spirit development and team composition), and the established Honkai lore presents a fascinating, if unconventional, approach. The development timeline remains uncertain, but the project promises a novel take on familiar mechanics while significantly expanding the Honkai universe.