Honkai Star Rail is excelling with the Penacony arc. The 2.1 missions showcased storytelling brilliance, and the 2.2 missions are equally impressive. The 2.2 trailblazing mission in Honkai Star Rail deceived players with a fake ending, leaving many stunned.
It’s concerning that HoYoverse is turning in-game festivals into tedious events. Despite this, Honkai Star Rail’s 2.2 missions executed the fake ending masterfully. Let’s analyze the HSR 2.2 trailblazing missions and see how HoYoverse managed to deceive everyone.
The Blend of Lies Mixed with Reality
Honkai Star Rail’s trailblazing missions commenced in the Dreamflux Reef, where the Trailblazer conversed with Firefly in the previous patch. The mission began with significant lore revelations and character introductions, filling in the missing pieces of the story
The lore drops covered Firefly’s script, Gallagher’s fiction, Robin’s background, Misha’s revelation, and the resurrection of an Aeon, addressing various story gaps. While a few inconsistencies were present, they were minimal enough to be overlooked, either as misunderstandings or minor storytelling lapses.
To steer players’ focus towards the story through extensive lore drops and divert attention from the few inconsistencies was crucial for the fake ending. This strategy engaged players in the narrative, preventing them from questioning or doubting the unfolding events, even amidst the increasingly bizarre occurrences.
A Philosophical Exchange
Having set the scene, we finally confront Sunday, who had captured Robin and Welt. Sunday elaborates on the significance of Dreamscape and Penacony, emphasizing how it enables individuals from all walks of life to lead their desired lifestyles.
The philosophical exchange leading up to the confrontation was intriguing, prompting self-reflection on the right course of action. Particularly thought-provoking was Sunday’s mention of seven Sundays in a week. I found myself intrigued by the concept!
Beyond the banter, the philosophical discourse surrounding the pros and cons of Penacony is a recurring theme throughout the Penacony arc. We discover that it offers an escape from reality, providing individuals with the opportunity to confront their real-life struggles, while also highlighting the darker side of Golden Hour, where purposeless revelry persists.
The clash between the stark truths of reality and the blend of bliss, pain, and regret stemming from ignorance is aptly portrayed in the dialogue with Sunday.
A Deceptive Boss Battle Staged with Flair to Quell Doubts
Prior to facing off against Sunday, players navigate through the three-stage acts, delving into the Penacony backstory while engaging in seemingly inconsequential battles.
Following the progression through the acts, players eventually encounter Sunday for the main showdown. However, contrary to the anticipated battle against The Great Septimus of the Harmonious Choir as showcased in the HSR 2.2 Livestream, the initial skirmish pits players against standard foes from the preceding stages.
After dispatching the initial waves, the Harmonious Choir makes a belated appearance, swiftly succumbing to a few attacks. Subsequently, a cutscene unfolds, revealing Dan Heng and Jing Yuan, with the Xianzhou Alliance swooping in to confront Sunday and save the day. Strangely, players find themselves having had minimal involvement in the defeat of the main boss.
Expecting a more substantial challenge, players awaken at the Reverie Hotel to learn of the battle’s conclusion, leaving them bewildered. The charade continues as players interact with key Penacony figures and convene with Jing Yuan to ponder the future of Penacony and the next Astral Express destination.
Amidst the disappointment of a lackluster boss encounter in Honkai Star Rail history, the narrative progresses with further plot twists, adding to the confusion.
Boothill and Black Swan join the crew, Screwllum shifts focus from the Simulated Universe to aid the Intelligentsia Guild in Dreamscape and Memory Zone research, and a perplexing scenario unfolds as the IPC withdraws support from Penacony, pledging allegiance to the Family without any reciprocation.
The Masterful Reveal with a Worthy Boss Fight
In the midst of these perplexing circumstances, one significant name remained conspicuously absent – Acheron. Her absence was noted by all, except for the trailblazer, leaving the player as the sole individual who remembered her existence. This further solidified the sense that something was amiss, indicating that the story was far from over.
Amidst this uncertainty, Black Swan offers to aid in recollecting the events, casting doubt once more on the conclusion. The absurdity of the credit roll served as the final piece of evidence.
Finally, we engage in a discussion with Black Swan, dissecting the story’s inconsistencies and realizing that the boundary between dream and reality had blurred within Penacony. Upon awakening, we encounter Acheron and Black Swan, who had emerged from the dream state. They reveal that Firefly’s sacrifice had enabled our escape from the Dream, clearing the path for the others. Robin had also independently broken free from the dream, followed by Boothill and Dan Heng.
A new strategy is devised to confront Sunday, with Acheron poised to disrupt the Harmonious Choir’s power while Boothill rallies the Galaxy Rangers worldwide to bolster resolve and awaken those trapped in the dream. However, just before the climactic battle, another significant revelation unfolds.
We discover that Acheron was dispatched to Penacony by Tiernan, a Sin thirster and one of the Nameless and founding members of Penacony, not the entity guiding shadows to the afterlife. Additionally, we unveil Acheron’s true identity as Raiden Bosenmeri Mei.
Following this revelation, a cutscene unfolds featuring Acheron disrupting the Harmonious Choir’s power and Boothill summoning the Galaxy Rangers. The ultimate showdown commences between the Astral Express and Sunday. The boss battle with Sunday and the Harmonious Choir is executed exceptionally well, incorporating multiple phases and mechanics to elevate the challenge. Finally, facing a formidable end-game boss and experiencing a gratifying conclusion.
What Sets Honkai Star Rail 2.2 Mission Apart?
Honkai Star Rail 2.2 stands out as one of my preferred missions, although it doesn’t surpass the impact of the 2.1 mission for me. A notable aspect of the 2.2 mission is the rewarding experience for players who have attentively followed the story events thus far.
- Upon discovering that Misha embodies Mikhail’s memory, the immediate thought of his appearance at the Reverie Hotel struck me, despite the impossibility for a memory to manifest physically.
- It felt peculiar not being compelled to play as the Harmony Trailblazer when facing Sunday for the first time. The HoYoverse typically features the Trailblazer prominently in main battles, suggesting a continuation with the introduction of a new path.
- Furthermore, those who have paid scant attention to the narrative would discern that the IPC never relinquishes anything freely, particularly concerning Penacony, in which they hold a significant stake. Herta is unlikely to impede the progress of the Simulated Universe.
The 2.2 Trailblazing missions rewarded diligent players with a sense of achievement for deciphering hints ahead of others. Moreover, the lore revelations in the 2.2 missions offered a deeper insight into the Honkai Star Rail universe, enhancing the experience even without the false conclusion.
The humor infused by the Honkai Star Rail writers and developers often goes unappreciated. The witty remarks such as Welt expressing his lack of a childlike demeanor or the onset of fake credits rolling are elements that I truly valued.
Ultimately, concluding the missions on a high note, rather than a disappointing battle, allowed us to appreciate the game mechanics even more. Overall, the Honkai Star Rail 2.2 mission ranks among the finest in the game, leaving us eagerly anticipating more.
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