Honkai Impact 3rd's phenomenal soundtrack is mostly composed by miHoYo's in-house music team, HOYO-MiX, sometimes reaching out to well-known SEA singers for the more climactic moments in the story.
True to the game's futuristic setting, the soundtrack enjoys a heavy emphasis on some of sickest techno beats and fusion music you'll ever hear.
- "Befall"
, the chillingly epic song that plays out during Chapter 8, Act 2's ending cutscene, heralding Herrscher of the Void's full takeover of Kiana, with Anti-Entropy futilely attempting to stop her rampage.Hail my proud queen, on and on, on and on - "Nightglow" by Tanya Chua, a lonely dirge sung in English and featured in the short animation associated with the end of Chapter 9, "Last Lesson", which depicts Himeko's sacrifice in order to snap Kiana out of Herrscher's control. Its instrumental version is also a fantastic piece of work, especially with the guitar riffs.Never let you go, it's why I did them all
For a chance at least, to live in your way
Love of you is my most cherished thing
So stay alive, bravely - For something more upbeat, we have "Reburn", an adventurous, fast-paced song that sets up the retelling of the first two chapters. It can easily be an opening theme for an anime.
- "Girl Inside", sung by Mika Kobayashi, comes off as an "I Want" Song and has an emotional message blended with a triumphant musical theme.
- "Cyberangel", the very futuristic techno beat featured in the special plotline animation "Cyberangel: ZERO Exception", wherein Bronya acquires the Core of Reason and takes several levels in badassery by becoming a Herrscher. It remixes Bronya's old theme from Guns Girl - School Dayz, "Angel of Sin"; this time, it has different lyrics, and it's sung by Hanser, Bronya's Chinese voice actress.Though my wings’ve been bloodstained and could never rid, I'll try hard to soar to the heaven I dreamed.
- "Dual Ego", Seele's theme for her own animated short, is a short trance song that starts out quietly, before violently bursting out the vocals as Seele embraces her dark self's powers and annihilates everything trying to prevent her from saving Bronya with just one swing of her scythe.Long ago buried heart
Right away torn apart
So it hurts how it lasts
Till I draw one more last final breath - "Starfall", the techno-metal song used in the "Meteoric Salvation" animated short. As Kiana remembers the words Himeko once uttered to her all the way back in Chapter 9, the vocals start with a gentle whisper, with its lyrics reflecting back on the ones from "Befall". Kiana then displays full control of her Herrscher powers to push the Honkai bomb up the atmosphere as the song gains in intensity, before the chorus blares as the ascent is almost complete; the song reaches its climax as the purple light from the bomb, which had trailed like a shooting start during its ascent, bursts into a blinding flash that's visible from outer space.Crash against the barrier above the crowd, flaring up pieces in the air to show a fairy starfall.
- "Oaths", the Post-Honkai Odyssey insert song that plays during the later portion of Part 1's final boss. As soon as the Protagonist releases his sword's limiters and breaks the World's otherwise unpenetrable barrier after a poignant QTE sequence, the female vocals get on the action, turning what was a struggle to get back on your feet into an epic No-Holds-Barred Beatdown.
- For the "Lament of the Fallen" animated short, the instant Mei finally goes all out and activates the full power of her Herrscher of Thunder battlesuit to counter Kiana's HoV mode, "Honkai World Diva (movie ver.)" plays, topping the emotional buildup during the confrontation between two girls; one who feels it is her mission to save the world in spite of her condition, another who feels she must save her friend from herself, even if it means becoming a sinner. Mika Kobayashi, who sang an alternate version of Mei's theme back in Guns GirlZ, reprises her vocals for this rocky remix."Crimson moon shines upon the town that is smeared in blood..."
Cried the diva given into lament - The "Shattered Samsara" animated short features "Rubia", dedicated to Fu Hua and performed by Zhou Shen. The soft falsetto vocals top the emotional conclusion to Fu Hua's ordeal as Kiana decides to break her friend's cycle of self-loathing and save her, reminding Fu Hua that she is not alone and now has someone who won't betray her.Life blooms like a flower, far away or by the road, waiting for the one to find the way back home.
- "Moon Halo", featured in the "Everlasting Flames" animated short, is HOYO-MiX's culmination of all the previous Valkyrie themes, referencing "Befall", "Nightglow", "Cyberangel", "Starfall", "Honkai World Diva (movie ver.)" and "Rubia" in one fell swoop, with the chorus blaring as Kiana finally begins her counterattack against the Herrscher of Dominance with the help of Bronya, Fu Hua and Himeko's ghost. Special mention goes to the Art of Dragon Orchestra for lending their violin, as it is the most prominent instrument in the seconds leading to the Money-Making Shot of Kiana revealing her Herrscher of Flamescion battlesuit. It is sung in perfect English by a team consisting of Chalili note , TetraCalyx note and Hanser note , with their vocals seamlessly succeeding each other's in a concerted effort.Wave goodbye to the past, when hope and faith have grown strong and sound
Unfold this pair of wings for me again, to soar above this world
Turned into the moon that always tells the warmth and brightness of the sun
May all the beauty be blessed (May all the beauty be blessed) - Ayunga's heartrending "Regression" is a recount of Otto's tragic life and all the sacrifices he made over the centuries to correct his mistake, striving toward his goal and inevitable end long after everyone turned against him.Every living soul in the fray
Striving for their own safe place
Life is too long to end at a grave - "TruE" is the uplifting theme song for the "Because of You" animated short, bringing about a satisfying ending to the story of the Flame-Chasers who never came together when they were alive.Petals linger about
Awaiting one last dance
Shaking off all the dust from the past
New stories have yet to start - The "Graduation Trip" animated short's theme song, "Da Capo", is somber and emotional. It serves as a sendoff for Kiana as we look back from the end to the very beginning of her journey, from the Herrscher of Finality to the White Comet, and goes from protecting all that's beautiful in the world to becoming a part of that beauty. Nicholas Leung and Su Ling Chan, the voices of Dan Heng and Bailu from its successor game Honkai: Star Rail, performed a heartfelt duet of the song and re-contextualized it through the eyes of a Vidyadhara, an immortal race that undergoes reincarnation.If it's too hard to say goodbye
Give us a try to sing a rhyme
May you, the beauty of this world, always shine - The trailer for Chapter 2 of "A Post-Honkai Odyssey" is heralded by "Oracle", with Wink XY's vocals rivaling Adele.
- The music selection for the version trailers has HOYO-MiX step up their game with an incredible variety of musical style. To wit:
- "Ninja's Noir" combines traditional Japanese instruments with heavy techno beats, fitting for the introduction of Sakura's Darkbolt Jonin in the v3.6 trailer.
- v3.7 belts out Fu Hua's Azure Empyrea battlesuit to the tune of "Sublime Spring", branching off from the end of "Ninja's Noir".
- "Starlit Sanctum" uses a One-Woman Wail to introduce us to the noble motif of Durandal's Bright Knight: Excelsis battlesuit in v3.9.
- "Fantasy Note", best described as a "dubstep tango violin" piece, is used for the v4.2 "Rosemary's Nocturne" trailer focusing on the "Rosemary's Floriograph" event and Rita's sumptuous Fallen Rosemary battlesuit.
- "Splashing Star", featured in the v4.3 "Rhythms of Neon" trailer introducing Fervent Tempo Δ, drops sickeningly addictive techno beats during the second portion of the track.
- "Armband" plays during the v4.4 "Aurelia Invicta" trailer, introducing us to Durandal's Dea Anchora battlesuit. It is a Triumphant Reprise of "Starlit Sanctum", complete with a wilder tempo to match Durandal's greater potential while wearing this battlesuit.
- "Domineer" is the feverish EDM track adorned by guzheng strums and dramatic beat drops heralding the coming of v4.6's one and only Herrscher of Sentience. "Unequaled, Unrivaled", indeed.
- "Inherit", used for v5.0's "Inherit the Flame" trailer, throws away the electronics for a valiant orchestral movement accompanied by a One-Woman Wail; the perfect backdrop for the arrival of Kiana's Herrscher of Flamescion battlesuit.
- "Ninja's Noir
- The Dreamy Euphony concert in 2022 revisits the various songs and trailer tracks that made the game's marketing cycle such a phenomenal experience.
- The first chapter is themed around the Elysian Realm and its denizens, going first with the realm's main theme in "Idyll of The Past", then chaining to Mobius's "Devouring Snake", Pardofelis's "Elastic Force" and Aponia's "Twisted Chants". The chapter then concludes with Yellow Zero appearing on stage and singing "TruE" with the same energy as her studio recording for the proper release.
- The second chapter starts with a cover of "ReBurn" by GARNiDELiA, who is then succeeded by a cover "Starfall" by Dingshuang, a techno remix of "Cyberangel" by Hanser and "Honkai World Diva" by Mika Kobayashi. The pinnacle of this chapter, however, goes to a great rendition of "Regression" by famed singer Yusuf in lieu of Ayanga.
- The third chapter features a full orchestra performing an outstanding medley of the tracks created for the battlesuits trailers throughout the years. They are, in order, "Inherit" (Herrscher of Flamescion), "Phantom" (Starchasm Nyx), "Fantasy Note" (Fallen Rosemary), "Splashing Stars" (Fervent Tempo), "Domineer" (Herrscher of Sentience), "Ninja Noir" (Darkbolt Jonin) and "Dark Lance" (Palatinus Equinox).
- Not to be outdone by any of the three chapters, Elysia wraps up the concert by inviting the audience to a dance while a cover of "Moon Halo" plays. It's not just any cover, either; it's a mashup of the covers of everyone who performed it, even the devs themselves. It's unequivocally the greatest form of gratitude for all the Captains who joined the long journey that is Honkai Impact 3rd.Elysia: This is a poem to be finished. This is a song resonating with the future. Come and embrace the blessed tomorrow with everyone!
- "No Ceiling", the song in Senadina's trailer, is a chill yet upbeat electro song that is a good introduction for a new character in Part 2.
