Turn-based RPGs can face difficulties during the design process when figuring out how to convey physical momentum. In an environment where actions are decided by button taps and menus rather than real-time physics, the connection to physical movement can feel inauthentic. When HoYoverse designed Honkai Star Rail’s massive fire-breathing dragon that accompanies Castorice, lead game designer Chengan An says the team looked beyond typical fantasy tropes for inspiration.
Instead of looking at other mythical creatures or cinematic moments, the development team found a surprising inspiration in high-performance sports cars. Speaking to GameSpot during HoYoverse’s Media Tour in Seoul, South Korea, Chengan An mentioned that Castorice and her colossal dragon are some of his favorite characters.
While a giant dragon spraying flames across the battlefield looks undeniably striking, the developers realized early on that visual fidelity alone doesn’t capture the sensation of actually commanding a dragon. “Let’s take Castorice, for example. When we designed the giant dragon, beyond the cool visual presentation and some special effects, we also have detailed design in terms of the player’s controls.”
The team realized that there’s no basis in humans’ physical memory when it comes to commanding a dragon. Players understand what a dragon attack looks like because they have spent decades watching them in movies, but that’s done passively. “When it comes to a giant dragon bursting fire, actually no one has ever experienced it in person, right?” Chengan said. “That’s actually an experience based on films or in dramas. However, in films or dramas you can only watch what the directors have already shot for you. You still cannot control the dragon to burst into fire, like first-hand.”
