Your New Pokémon Replacement Is Free On July 9

Pokémon has become fairly all-consuming within the creature-collecting RPG genre, in large part because it has gone without competition within the AAA space. Sure, plenty of indie and even AA developers have tried their hand at dethroning Pokémon, and some have even come close, but none have truly managed to topple it. Even after countless controversies and divisive entries, Pokémon remains one of the most profitable video game series of all time and a huge hit with fans.

However, the series has grown a little stale, the length between entries can be arduous for some, and the lack of meaningful improvements has proven divisive. Fortunately, among the many games like Pokémon, there arises a new competitor that promises to truly dethrone the legendary series and take its place as the pinnacle of the creature-collecting RPG genre. While its long-term success remains to be seen, it still does appear to be the perfect replacement for Pokémon.

Honkai: Nexus Anima, the third entry in the Honkai game series and the latest title from developer HoYoverse, is an upcoming creature-collecting RPG set in a vibrant open-world. Much like its predecessors, Nexus Anima is a gacha game that pulls from the rich lore and worldbuilding of the Honkai series to deliver an experience familiar to fans and ideal for newcomers looking for their next Pokémon-esque game to get completely immersed in. While it feels derivative to call this Genshin Impact meets Pokémon, it is largely the experience Nexus Anima appears to be aiming for.

In Honkai: Nexus Anima, you explore a huge open-world with sprawling neon-lit cities, picturesque beaches, and dense forests while battling against and capturing the titular Anima. There are, of course, major points of differentiation between Pokémon and Nexus Anima, namely in the ongoing live-service-fueled narrative and Genshin Impact-esque visuals, but this is nevertheless shaping up to be a suitable replacement for Pokémon for those who are in need of something new.

A character riding a water Anima in Honkai: Nexus Anima.

The best part is that on July 9, 2026, Honkai: Nexus Anima will be completely free-to-play for those who managed to get into the closed beta. Titled “Evolution Test“, this closed beta will allow players to access everything the game currently has to offer, see new story beats, meet new characters, catch new Anima, and so much more. Naturally, there will be a data wipe at the end, so players are encouraged to make the most out of it without worrying about progression carrying over. This is purely for HoYoverse to get feedback on the available systems.

To gain access to the closed beta, fans can sign up via the official Honkai: Nexus Anima website. This doesn’t guarantee anyone access to the closed beta, but it does give one a chance of getting in. Furthermore, HoYoverse has yet to announce an end date for the closed beta, or an official release date for the full game. Still, for those who have played the most obscure Pokémon games and beaten all the indie alternatives, Honkai: Nexus Anima may be the final option, and this closed beta is a great way to test whether it’s a worthwhile investment.