Honkai: Star Rail, the latest game from HoYoverse, has sparked a debate among players about the ability to skip cutscenes. This discussion is not new, as Genshin Impact fans have been grappling with the same issue for years. Some argue that players should have the freedom to bypass dialogue and cutscenes they find uninteresting, while others believe that the story and side narratives are integral to the overall enjoyment of the game.
So, what’s the verdict? Can you skip cutscenes in Honkai: Star Rail? The answer is both yes and no:
- First-time story cutscenes: You cannot intentionally skip these during your initial playthrough.
- Prerendered cutscenes: If you are defeated in battle, you have the option to skip previously seen story parts upon your return.
For instance, if you fail to defeat a boss due to a lack of healing and are met with the “Defeat” screen, you can skip the cutscene when you return for a rematch. This allows you to manage your time effectively without having to sit through the same story elements repeatedly.
However, skipping in-game dialogue entirely is not possible. You can only speed through the conversations by spamming the space bar, touch screen, or mouse buttons until the talking concludes. This may be frustrating for some players who prefer to focus solely on the gameplay, especially considering the turn-based nature of combat, which can be time-consuming.
Despite the inability to skip all cutscenes and dialogue, Honkai: Star Rail boasts excellent voice acting and character performances, much like its gacha counterpart, Genshin Impact. While it’s understandable that some players may want to prioritize gameplay over story, the engaging narrative and character interactions are essential aspects of the game that should not be overlooked.