Penacony in Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0: Exploring a Morally Dubious Constructed Paradise
Step into the world of Penacony in Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 and prepare for a wild ride through a morally dubious constructed paradise. Developed by miHoYo and published by HoYoverse, this game takes players on a thrilling adventure filled with mystery, intrigue, and unexpected commentary on the concept of packaged happiness.
The Reverie, a gigantic hotel with special Dreampool beds, serves as the gateway to Penacony, the “Planet of Festivities.” Here, time stops in a never-ending dreamscape, and guests can experience shared dreams across twelve constructed areas. The Golden Hour, the main hub area of Penacony, immerses players in a surreal landscape that captures the essence of the game’s theme.
Imagine wandering through streets inspired by New Vegas, with billboards chasing you down dodgy alleyways and extravagant shopping malls. Translucent whales replace clouds in the night sky, and a distant volcano spits out toxic orange fizzy drinks. Payphones even reveal your friends’ dreams while disregarding the morality of such intrusion. The Golden Hour also features a park with slot machines where players can spend tokens for a chance to win in-game prizes. It’s a clever commentary on the fake happiness that money can buy.
One of the standout features of Penacony is its exceptional soundtrack. Alluring jazz and barbershop styles bring the streets to life, while mysterious piano keys and woodwind humming accompany players through dreamscapes. Epic drums intensify boss battles, and heartfelt pop songs highlight intimate conversations. Penacony is a feast for the ears and elevates the overall gaming experience.
While The Golden Hour shines brightly, other areas of Penacony offer their own distinct music and unique traversal techniques. Players can walk up walls and change camera perspectives, allowing them to traverse large distances in just a few steps. It’s a smart use of space that perfectly captures the dream theme of Penacony.
However, one downside of Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 is its brevity compared to its predecessor, Genshin Impact. While new regions in Genshin can be overwhelming with their vastness, Penacony’s new maps and collectibles can be quickly unlocked and completed. The exploration outside of The Golden Hour loses its novelty without other distractions to break up the puzzle and traversal mechanics. It’s a Catch 22 situation where the more manageable Honkai is to play, the more players crave additional content.
The story chapter in Penacony is also a bit disappointing as it ends abruptly with a “to be continued” card. The first chapter introduces a whodunit mystery but lacks significant movement in the overall story. While it’s intriguing to learn about the inner workings and history of Penacony, the constant introduction of mysteries followed by roadblocks hampers the pacing and leaves players wanting more.
Despite these shortcomings, Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 offers constant improvements and enhancements to the game. The addition of Fate’s Atlas, a timeline of major story chapters, side quests, events, and companion missions, helps players keep track of their progress and decisions throughout the game’s expansive narrative.
In conclusion, Penacony in Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.0 is a mixed bag of delights and disappointments. The game’s big ideas and murky streets make it worth returning to, but repetitive environments and a short story chapter may leave players wanting more. Nevertheless, the allure of exploring a morally dubious constructed paradise and engaging in detective work is an experience not to be missed. Just be careful not to slip on any rainbow vomit while waiting for the next update.