Honkai Nexus Anima Evolution Test: How to Join the CBT and What's Playable

HoYoverse has opened the doors to its newest Honkai project - Honkai Nexus Anima. It combines auto-chess strategy with creature collecting in an open-world fantasy setting. The Evolution Test closed beta is running now. Here's what you need to know about getting in and what's actually playable.

Quick Summary

The Honkai Nexus Anima Evolution Test closed beta is currently live
The game is an auto-chess strategy RPG with creature collection - expectTeamfight Tactics meets Pokémon in the Honkai universe
You collect Anima creatures, build auto-battling teams, and explore an open world
The CBT lets you test team building, world exploration, and early combat systems

Honkai Nexus Anima is a strategic adventure game from HoYoverse, the studio behind Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Honkai Impact 3rd. Instead of the studio's signature action combat or turn-based RPG systems, this one goes in a different direction entirely: auto-chess.

You collect and battle with fantasy creatures called Anima. Each Anima has its own abilities, synergies, and evolution paths. You deploy them on a grid-based battlefield where they fight automatically based on your team composition and positioning decisions. Between battles, you explore an open world, gather resources, and discover new Anima to add to your roster.

The game sits in the Honkai universe but tells its own story with a new cast and setting. HoYoverse describes it as a "monster-collecting adventure" : the creature designs range from cute to imposing, and the world design follows the studio's trademark high-detail style established in Genshin Impact and Star Rail.

Honkai Nexus Anima Gameplay: How It Works

Anima Collection: You find and recruit Anima throughout the open world. Each one belongs to an elemental type and has a set of abilities that determine its role in auto-battles. Think of Anima as units in an auto-chess game. Some are tanks, some are damage dealers, some provide buffs or healing.

Auto-Chess Battles: Battles use a grid layout. You place your Anima on the board before combat begins, then watch as they fight automatically. The strategy is in team building and positioning : which Anima you bring, how you arrange them on the grid, and which synergies you activate between unit types.

Nexus Battles: The core PvP mode where you face other players' Anima teams. Positioning and synergy choices decide matches, not reaction speed.

Open World Exploration: Between battles, you explore a fantasy world filled with Anima to discover, resources to collect, and puzzles to solve. The exploration loop is closer to Genshin Impact's overworld than a lobby-based menu game.

Anima Evolution: Your Anima grow stronger through battles and can evolve into more powerful forms. Evolution paths branch, so the same base Anima can end up as different final forms depending on your choices.

Character and Anima Roster

HoYoverse has been gradually revealing the Anima roster through trailers and the official website. Design categories seen so far:

Elemental spirits: Fire, water, nature, and lightning-themed Anima with corresponding elemental synergies
Guardian creatures: Larger, defensive Anima that serve as frontline tanks in auto-chess formations
Swift attackers: Smaller, faster Anima designed for damage output and flanking positions
Support Anima: Healing and buff-providing creatures that change the dynamics of longer fights

The game also features human characters called "Sovereigns" and "Novarchs" who appear as quest givers and story anchors - their connection to the Anima system hasn't been fully explained yet.

Honkai Nexus Anima Release Date

No release date is confirmed. HoYoverse's typical development cycle suggests:

CBT (Evolution Test): Mid to late 2026 (currently active)
Possible open beta: Late 2026 or early 2027
Global launch estimate: 2027

HoYoverse tends to run multiple test phases before launch. Genshin Impact had three closed beta tests over the course of a year. Honkai: Star Rail had two CBT phases. If Honkai Nexus Anima follows a similar pattern, expect at least one more test phase after the Evolution Test before a full release.

How to Get Beta Access

Access to the Evolution Test is managed through HoYoverse's official channels:

Check the official website: Honkai Nexus Anima's global site is live and may host sign-up forms for future test phases
HoYoLAB app: HoYoverse's community platform often posts beta recruitment announcements
Follow HoYoverse social media: Twitter/X, YouTube, and the official Discord server
Pre-register interest: While not a guarantee, pre-registration pages sometimes feed into beta selection pools

Note that the current Evolution Test sign-up window may already be closed. HoYoverse typically opens recruitment for a limited period, then selects participants by lottery if demand exceeds the test cap.

Pre-register Now

Once you're in the beta, you'll receive a download link via email or through your HoYoverse account. After the full launch, you'll find Honkai Nexus Anima on APKPure for direct download.