Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 Review – Welcome to Planarcadia

As a bit of a fan who has played some of HoYoverse games, such as Honkai: Impact 3rd,  Genshin Impact, and, of course, Honkai: Star Rail when it first came out, we were excited to receive early access to Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 via HoYoverse’s media server ahead of its official launch.

I’ll say this right up front: it has been a good while since I last played Star Rail (back in early 2023- mid 2024, and coming back now feels like stepping into a very different game, in a good way. HoYoverse has clearly been putting in the work, not just refining systems and quality-of-life features, but also deepening the overall experience. The narrative, while still lengthy, remains engaging and surprisingly easy to get pulled back into, making it feel less like homework and more like rediscovering a familiar universe that has grown in meaningful ways. Beautiful, inspiring characters and elegant style and art that make me appreciate the game’s overall aesthetic and feel.

For this review, though, I am focusing primarily on what version 4.0 brings to the table from a gameplay perspective. We’re talking new characters, a brand-new combat path, a flood of mini-games and events, and an endgame overhaul that raises the ceiling in ways veteran players will absolutely feel. It is also worth noting that this update is split into two phases, with certain characters and content arriving later in the cycle. While I cannot spoil too much, I will do my best to explain some of the new wonders you may see when you log in for the first time.

Lastly, please keep in mind that the content and images referenced here are from a media server built for this purpose and may differ from the final live version.

Combat for Elation Changes

The biggest gameplay shift in Version 4.0 is the full introduction of the Path of Elation. Rather than simply adding another damage archetype, HoYoverse has created a combat identity built around spectacle, momentum, and risk.

Elation teams revolve around building Punchlines. Once you accumulate enough, combat enters an “Aha Instant,” where Elation characters unleash their abilities in sequence. It is not just a spike in damage. The tempo shifts, the battlefield erupts, and if your team is built correctly, enemies melt under layered buffs and follow-up effects. While I am not great at pulling it off, I can see some nice, insane numbers, and breaking some enemies was slightly easier.

After the burst window ends, characters gain “Certified Banger” buffs that continue enhancing Elation damage. This creates a loop that rewards aggressive play and calculated overcommitment. You still need to manage Skill Points and timing carefully, especially in tougher content.

Yao Guang headlines the first phase of Version 4.0. As a Physical Elation unit, she acts as both enabler and amplifier. Her Weal and Woe Lots generate Punchlines and increase enemy damage taken, while her Ultimate can trigger an additional Aha Instant. In practice, she smooths out Elation’s volatility, turning it into something far more consistent. She feels powerful without being reckless, and it’s a nice, solid unit to have on the team.

Sparxie, arriving in the second phase, leans much harder into risk-reward gameplay. She functions as an in-world streamer running a live showdown mid-combat. Spending Skill Points on “Gifts” fuels her mechanics, generating Punchlines and sometimes refunding resources. The more you commit, the stronger the final payout. In extended fights, especially in high-difficulty modes, this becomes a thrilling balancing act. Note that the characters may differ from the released version.

Some veteran characters are not left behind either. Some characters will be buffed or have updates to their kits, so be sure to read the patch notes.

Planarcadia’s Mini-Games and Currency Wars

Outside of standard combat, Version 4.0 loads Planarcadia with mini-games and repeatable activities that tie directly into one of the most generous reward structures the game has seen in a while.

Scattered throughout the city are arcade-style challenges that test timing, fast decision-making, and limited-turn efficiency. Completing these activities earns event currencies that can be exchanged for upgrade materials, Stellar Jades, cosmetics, and other high-value resources. The loop is straightforward but satisfying. Jump in, clear a few rounds, stockpile tokens, trade them in, and immediately feel the impact on your roster.

Two of my personal favorites are the dice game and the mini platform challenge. There are several more attractions hidden across Planarcadia, but I will leave those for players to discover for themselves. Part of the fun here is stumbling onto something unexpected.

What really stands out is how much hidden loot and optional objectives are tucked into these activities. Exploration pays off. The developers clearly want players to engage with everything the zone offers, and they reward curiosity generously. That said, it is not a free handout. You still need to put in the time to farm event currency and exchange it strategically for the rewards you want most.

Beyond the mini-games, there are multiple ways to build up currency through events, challenges, and repeatable content. If you are free-to-play or light-spending, there is a steady flow of materials to improve your characters steadily. And like most gacha-driven titles, those willing to spend and a bit of luck on their side can significantly accelerate the process, quickly maxing out new additions or refining existing favorites.

For veteran players chasing a challenge, Version 4.0 raises the bar significantly. Currency Wars now extend to A8 Wealth Creator 30, and the difficulty spike is very real.

The level cap increase to Level 110 reinforces this endgame push. Higher stat ceilings give both new and older characters more room to grow, and it makes progression feel meaningful again. It also future-proofs the game’s challenge modes, ensuring that difficulty scaling remains relevant. Divergent Universe also receives updates, adding variety to long-term runs and encouraging experimentation with different compositions.

A Confident Step Forward

The introduction of the Path of Elation meaningfully shifts the pacing of combat. It rewards bold play, calculated risk, and smart team synergy instead of passive rotations. The expanded Currency Wars difficulty and Level 110 cap give long-term players something substantial to chase. Meanwhile, Planarcadia’s mini-games and reward systems make daily engagement feel worthwhile rather than obligatory.

What stands out most is how cohesive it all feels. The new characters are not isolated power spikes. HoYoverse could have played it safe. Instead, Version 4.0 advances the mechanics while being surprisingly generous with pulls, materials, and progression opportunities. It respects player time more than earlier iterations did, and that goes a long way. I can happily say that this next update is massive, and even just a few days of playing, I barely even gotten through a good chunk of it, and that is a good thing, especially for endgame content.

With two phases rolling out across this update cycle, there is enough here to keep both returning players and daily veterans invested. The official launch is scheduled for February 13, 2026. Remember, you can get the newest character, Yao Guang, during the first phase, with Sparxie following the release of the second phase.

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.0 was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.

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