Honkai: Nexus Anima Evolution Test — Complete What's New Guide

Second Closed Beta Overview

The Evolution Test is Honkai: Nexus Anima's second major closed beta, live July 9 through July 27, 2026 (UTC+8) on PC, iOS, and Android. HoYoverse describes it as a near-complete rebuild compared to the September 2025 Nexus Bond Test: faster story pacing, Shanghai-inspired urban Iia, reworked Nexus Battle auto-chess combat, and deeper Anima bonding systems. All account data wipes when servers close.

The embedded official Evolution Test Gameplay Showcase above (June 22, 2026) anchors this changelog alongside press coverage from Inven Global, IGN, Siliconera, 17173, and Sohu summarizing live tester experiences through mid-July 2026. Use this page as a master index linking to every specialized wiki article covering confirmed Evolution Test content.

Combat and Nexus Battle Rework

Nexus Battles remain a 3-row, 9-slot auto-battler, but the Evolution Test adds manual Animaster active skills with cinematic ultimates, simplified single-Aspect synergy thresholds replacing dual-bond complexity, and Mindscape tactical transformation routes layered on formation planning. Trait bonuses no longer directly gate bond activation—lowering onboarding friction while preserving strategic depth.

Friend PVP Nexus Battles debut as the first HoYoverse title feature inviting accepted testers to challenge friends using identical formation systems as PVE stages. Detailed guides: Animaster active skills, Mindscape combat, friend PVP Nexus Battles, and Nexus Battle auto-chess video guide.

Anima Collection and Bonding Systems

Anima evolution transforms companions through bonding milestones—Inkifoal evolves into Inkicorn and Atragasus during the Evolution Battle cinematic against Blade. Chromatic Anima rare color variants, commemorative photography, custom naming, disposition personalities (Steady vs Passionate stat flavors), and Nexus bond affinity layers differentiate individual companions beyond fixed Traits.

New flagship species include Noctumbra (Olympia's Dark Gladiator), Moneytree (Prosperity Mastermind tied to Sciellings economy), Vulberry (Satiation Blaster evolution line), and Beebee (Nanafey's signature companion). Anima delegation lets bonded creatures operate Iia NPC shops while you explore elsewhere. Read Anima evolution, Chroma Anima & bonding, disposition & Nexus bond, delegation & shops, and individual profiles for Noctumbra, Moneytree, Beebee, and Vulberry.

Characters, Story, and Crossovers

Three new companions join the traveler in Iia: Nanafey (Montemar Academy student with Beebee), Bai Mei (Sundering lore investigator), and Olympia (True Nexus Syndicate Acting Director with Noctumbra). Honkai franchise crossovers appear as Usurper-class opponents—Blade from Honkai: Star Rail in Evolution Battle evolution cinematics and Kiana Kaslana from Honkai Impact 3rd in high-stakes narrative encounters.

Story acceleration replaces slow first-beta pacing with immediate multi-faction pursuit openings. Two campus CRPG dungeon modules introduce dialogue-driven branching, a credit score system (roughly 200 credits pass, 600 unlock true endings), and young Otto from Honkai Impact 3rd as guide NPC. Festival content includes Parade of Floats celebrations tied to Moneytree Channel commerce events. Guides: Nanafey, Bai Mei & Olympia, crossover Usurpers, CRPG dungeons & credit, Parade of Floats.

Iia World Expansion and Urban Life

Iia on the Reality Plane expands with the New Quarter, Nexus Hall (Nexus Association headquarters), True Nexus Building (True Nexus Syndicate), Fleming Tower, and Kakatini Grand Hotel. Chinese press highlights Shanghai landmark homages—Wukang Mansion, Cathay Cinema, HSBC Building, and Green House—integrated into a modern urban creature-collection fantasy where Anima appear in storefront ads, snacks, and street life rather than isolated pet shops.

Three factions structure town politics: Fleming Collective commerce, Nexus Association rescue mandate, and True Nexus Syndicate mafia-style Anima control philosophy. Water surfing traversal unlocks coastal exploration loops. Map coverage: Iia Newtown & Nexus Hall, factions & organizations, urban landmarks & city life, water regions & surfing, and exploration & minigames.

Removed and Changed From Nexus Bond Test

HoYoverse removed the custom face-creation system from the first beta, replacing it with fixed male and female Planestrider models to accelerate art pipeline consistency. Equipment-based bond frameworks simplified to single-Aspect thresholds. Combat shifted from passive observation toward timed Animaster interventions and optional friend PVP practice.

HoYoverse published a mid-test feedback commitment targeting art polish, Anima systems clarity, story pacing, and device performance optimization—constructive in-game Feedback submissions during the July window directly influence post-test iteration.

Beta Access and Remaining Server Time

Recruitment closed July 3, 2026. Active testers receive exclusive supply drops via mail titled "Evolution Test Resupply" after completing "The Hunted Prisoner" main quest (5 Protean Pills, 15 Nexus Wisps, 10 Nexus Traces). Each HoYoverse account locks to the first device used per platform during the test.

As of July 16, 2026, roughly eleven days remain before the July 27 at 18:00 UTC+8 shutdown and mandatory data wipe. Track live details on Evolution Test live status, watch all official footage in Evolution Test official trailers, and begin structured progression via beginner first week guide.