Best Games Like Honkai: Star Rail in 2026
Honkai: Star Rail's gacha hero-building is one of the best in mobile. If you want that same progression pull in shorter sessions, these mobile RPGs carry the DNA.
By Jordan Miles· Managing Editor
April 15, 2026
Honkai: Star Rail (site) earns its playerbase by actually caring about its writing — distinct characters, a story worth following, and turn-based team-building that rewards thinking about your roster. The gacha loop is aggressive, but the world is good enough that most players overlook it. If you've cleared the current patch or just want something that plays well in five-minute gaps instead of hour-long sessions, these games carry the same hero-collection DNA without demanding the same time commitment.
AFK Journey
Platforms: iOS, Android | Price: Free
Lilith Games' visual and mechanical upgrade to AFK Arena (site) — a world map exploration layer, cleaner UI, and the same deep hero collection loop. If you want the most modern take on idle hero collection, this is the benchmark everything else gets measured against.
AFK Arena
Platforms: iOS, Android | Price: Free
The standard-setter for idle hero collectors. Deep faction synergies, a large hero roster, and an AFK loop that turns five minutes into an hour. Slower onboarding than newer games, but the depth and community are hard to match.
Capybara Go
Platforms: iOS, Android | Price: Free
Habby's polished idle roguelite — auto-battle dungeon runs layered over gear collection and meta progression. The casual art style undersells the depth. One of the most accessible entries in the genre and a strong recommendation for players new to idle RPGs.
Idle Heroes
Platforms: iOS, Android | Price: Free
One of the original idle hero collectors and still one of the deepest. The gacha rates are aggressive and the late-game grind is real, but the synergy systems and hero roster keep veterans invested for years. A high ceiling if you're willing to commit.
Legend of Mushroom
Platforms: iOS, Android | Price: Free
Fully passive idle RPG with a surprisingly deep rune and class system. You set a build and let the game run — the mushroom theme is charming and the theorycrafting is real. Best for players who want the idle part of idle RPG without requiring active sessions.
Picking Your Next Idle RPG
If what you loved about Star Rail is the gacha hero-building and roster depth, AFK Journey (site) is the closest translation — same pull cadence, real progression, lower time investment. For the "build getting stronger in short sessions" feeling,