Honkai: Nexus Anima Evolution Test Updates: Characters, Iia Map, Anima Changes, and More

Honkai: Nexus Anima is moving into its second closed beta, the Evolution Test, and this version already looks much more polished than the first test. The game is still built around collecting Anima, exploring different areas, and fighting through Nexus Battles, but the new build adds a lot more detail to almost every part of the experience.

The biggest changes are not hard to spot. Character models look better, Iia has more detail, Anima can do more outside combat, and the battle system gives players more ways to affect the match.

Evolution Test Overview

The Evolution Test expands the game with new characters, new Anima, new regions, and more gameplay systems. It feels like a much stronger version of the first beta rather than a small update.

Main changes shown so far include:

· updated models for Nanafey and Parayaya

· new characters such as Bai Mei, Hungrille, Olympia, and Otto

· Kiana appearing with English voice acting

· a fuller version of Iia

· new locations such as New Quarter, Nexus Hall, and True Nexus Building

· two avatar-like characters who appear to be the player-controlled protagonists

· selfie and photo features

· Anima evolution

· Chromatic Anima with special color effects

· Anima mounts for land, sea, and air travel

· more daily-life Anima interactions around town

· more active Nexus Battles

The first test introduced the idea. The Evolution Test starts to show the real shape of the game.

 

Character Model Updates

Nanafey and Parayaya both look much better in the new build. Their models have cleaner facial details and a more polished look overall. Nanafey’s updated icon also gives her a brighter and cuter impression than the older version.

This matters because the first test received a lot of attention for its character presentation. Nexus Anima has a soft, colorful style, so the models need to look expressive up close. The new version does a better job of matching that tone.

The improvement is not only about making characters prettier. It also makes the world feel more consistent. When the characters, Anima, and map all share the same level of polish, the game feels less like an early test and more like a proper HoYoverse title.

 

New and Returning Characters

The new PV also highlights several important characters.

· Bai Mei — the current Novarch of Reality

· Hungrille — the 68th Novarch and ruler of the Plane of Satiation

· Olympia — Acting Director of the True Nexus Syndicate’s Iia branch office

· Otto — a familiar name for long-time Honkai fans

· Kiana — shown again, this time with English voice acting

Kiana’s English voice is one of the biggest surprises. For long-time Honkai fans, this is more than a normal voiceover detail. It makes her appearance feel special and gives the trailer stronger franchise weight.

Otto’s appearance also stands out. Nexus Anima may have a creature-collecting focus, but it is clearly not trying to separate itself from the wider Honkai identity. These familiar faces make the game feel connected to the series while still giving it a new world and new rules.

 

Iia Map Updates

Iia looks much richer in the Evolution Test. The town now has brighter lighting, fuller streets, more detailed buildings, and a softer fantasy atmosphere.

The more reliable map names to use for this version are:

· Iia

· New Quarter

· Nexus Hall

· True Nexus Building

· Reality Plane

The map update is important because Nexus Anima is not just about battles. A big part of the game is walking around with Anima, finding small scenes in town, taking photos, and watching the world react to these creatures.

The new version of Iia feels warmer and less empty. Streets have more life, buildings look more finished, and the overall tone is brighter. Some areas also show a more dreamy look, which fits the game’s cute companion-focused style.

 

Possible Player-Controlled Protagonists

The new PV appears to show two avatar-like characters who are likely the player-controlled protagonists. The footage suggests that the player character will still be important during exploration, photo scenes, and daily interaction with Anima.

 

Anima

Anima Evolution

Anima evolution is one of the biggest new hooks in the Evolution Test.

Evolution gives the raising system more weight. Catching cute Anima is already part of the appeal, but watching them grow into stronger forms gives players a better reason to stay attached to them.

Evolved Anima also make Nexus Battles look more exciting. Larger creatures bring stronger visual impact to the field, and their attacks make the combat presentation feel less flat.

Chromatic Anima

The Evolution Test also shows Chromatic Anima, rare color variants with special effects.

These are not just simple recolors. Some Chromatic Anima appear with bright sparkle effects, making them stand out immediately. For a creature-collecting game, this is a smart feature. Players need rare variants to chase, and Chromatic Anima give collections more personality.

Even if two players own the same Anima, a Chromatic version will always feel more special. It adds another reason to explore, battle, and keep looking for rare encounters.

Anima Mounts and Movement

Anima now have a much bigger role outside combat. The new footage shows several types of traversal tied to different creatures.

Examples include:

· land travel with turtle-like and leopard-like Anima

· sea travel with a shark-like surfboard Anima

· air travel with flying Anima

· possible speed differences between mounts

· racing-style gameplay with drifting and speed boosts

This makes Anima feel more like companions instead of simple battle units. They help players move through the world, cross water, fly, race, and interact with the environment.

The racing gameplay is especially fun to watch. Players can control Anima, drift for speed boosts, and even bump into other creatures during the race. It gives the game a lighter side activity beyond catching and battling.

Anima Ecology and Town Interactions

The Evolution Test adds more daily-life scenes for Anima.

Some examples shown include:

· Anima producing milk

· Anima making ramen

· Anima helping with hair dye

· interactions that may give coins or rewards

These scenes may seem small, but they help the world feel alive. Nexus Anima needs players to care about Anima as companions, not just as pieces used in battle. Seeing them work, play, and live around Iia helps build that connection.

It also gives exploration more charm. Instead of only running from one objective to another, players have more reasons to slow down and look around.

 

Nexus Battles and Combat Changes

Combat is still built around auto-battler-style Nexus Battles. Players form Anima teams, place them on the field, and rely on positioning, traits, and team synergy.

The Evolution Test adds more active involvement through character skills. During battle, players can use character abilities to affect the fight. These skills may deal damage, heal allies, provide support, or change the rhythm of the match.

This makes combat feel less passive than before. The main strategy still comes from team building and placement, but players now have more to do after the battle begins.

Character card animations also look better. They give human characters a clearer role in combat instead of leaving all the attention on Anima alone.

 

Final Thoughts

The Evolution Test makes Honkai: Nexus Anima look much stronger than the first beta. It looks cuter, livelier, and more confident than before. If the first test was about showing the idea, this second beta is where the game finally starts to show its personality.

For more Honkai: Nexus Anima version updates, guides, and game news, keep following LDShop.