Comparison

Honkai Impact 3rd vs Aether Gazer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Honkai Impact 3rd

Embark on a sci-fi adventure with stunning 3D graphics and dynamic combat. Team up with unique characters to explore new worlds and uncover mysteries. Experience an epic story with immersive events and a talented voice cast.

Highlights
  • 3D cel-shaded graphics
  • Real-time action combat
  • Infinite combo system
  • Intersecting storylines
  • Flexible team compositions
  • LITE system for daily tasks
  • New open maps
Features
Read full description

This game includes optional in-game purchases, including random virtual items. Honkai Impact 3rd is a sci-fi adventure action game developed by HoYoverse. 3D cel-shaded graphics, 3D combat with free jumping, infinite comboing, tight controls... Experience next-gen real-time action! An original tale told across media, immersive in-stage events, and a star-studded voice cast... Become part of the legend! The crisis on Earth has subsided for now, while a new adventure on Mars unfolds. Meet Valkyries with distinct personalities and explore the mysteries of Martian civilization together. Hyperion command system ready. Processing login request... Verified! Attention, all units! Safety latch disengaged, download engine initiating high-density energy transfer. Logging in in 10, 9, 8... "Captain on the bridge." From today onwards, you are our Captain. Please team up with us to fight for all that is beautiful in the world! In the shadow of Honkai, civilizations face one crisis after another; it's up to brave girls to fight to protect the world. However, this world is far, far bigger than you and I imagined... [Intersecting storylines! Adventure with friends new and old!] After Kiana fell into a slumber, friends from different planets gather for different reasons to uncover the secrets of Mars. [Classic action gaming! Flexible team compositions!] Diverse team compositions and combat strategies provide more possibilities in play. Fight together for all that's beautiful! [Take a break! LITE system makes daily tasks easy.] If you want a vacation like Theresa, use HOHO Vacation Tickets to sweep missions and claim rewards! [Upgraded visuals! New open maps to dive into!] Meticulous attention to lighting, texture, and other details creates a playable anime movie. Explore newly opened locations, enjoy immersive cinematics, and experience the allure of next-gen graphics!

About

Aether Gazer

Engage in fast-paced combat within a sci-fi anime world where humanity's consciousness resides in an AI orbiting Earth. Battle viruses threatening this digital paradise by customizing characters, building combos, and strategically forming squads to save humanity's future.

Highlights
  • Fast-paced action combat
  • Character skill customization
  • Squad building and combos
  • Explore a dystopian world
  • Premium character design
  • Immersive soundtrack
Features
Read full description

In the future, constant war has eroded the livability of Earth, forcing humanity to escape by uploading their consciousnesses to Gaea, an AI orbiting the Earth. Human consciousness is divided into ten sephirah zones, each with its own unique culture and beliefs, that are all working together towards building the perfect civilization called Idealbild. However, underneath the surface and in the Source Layer, evil computer viruses called Visbanes lurk, bent on destroying humanity’s promised paradise. Use your knowledge of each character’s skillset during battle, use power-ups to build combos and customize your squad to unleash the power of Modifiers to save consciousness and reach the promised future of Idealbild. · Action-Packed Combat Requiring Fast-Paced Decision Making · Explore a Dystopia Filled with Lore and Loot · Customize Your Character's Skills and Seamlessly Change Your Fighting Style · Mix and Match Your Squad for Exciting Chained Combos and Stunning Performances · Premium Quality Character Design with Advanced NPR Rendering Technology · Immersive Soundtrack and Unique Voiceover for Every Character Aether Gazer Official Homepage: https://www.aethergazer.com/ Official Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/aethergazerEN Official Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/aethergazerofficial/ Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AetherGazerOfficial/

Screenshots

Honkai Impact 3rd4 screens
Aether Gazer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Honkai Impact 3rd at 4.7 against Aether Gazer's 4.3. Honkai Impact 3rd also leads on ratings volume (47K vs 1.3K) and review sentiment (69% vs 56%). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Honkai Impact 3rd sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and Aether Gazer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Honkai Impact 3rd holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Honkai Impact 3rd has 47K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Honkai Impact 3rd's written reviews are positive against 56% of Aether Gazer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Honkai Impact 3rd ships an update every 2 months, Aether Gazer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Honkai Impact 3rd versus Aether Gazer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHonkai Impact 3rdAether Gazer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (47K ratings) — better4.3 (1.3K ratings)
Positive reviews68.6% of reviews — better56.5% of reviews
Number of ratings47K — better1.3K
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3.1 GB3.9 GB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCOGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD.HONG KONG YONGSHI NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED

Customer experience

Honkai Impact 3rd

All ratings46,598 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews519 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral7.5%
Negative23.9%

Aether Gazer

All ratings1,257 ratings
Positive82.6%
Neutral4.6%
Negative12.8%
Written reviews340 reviews
Positive56.5%
Neutral13.2%
Negative30.3%

User reviews

Honkai Impact 3rd

From 47K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Stunning graphics
  • 📚 Engaging story
  • 🎶 Excellent soundtrack
  • 🎮 Fluid combat mechanics

Room to improve

  • 💳 Gacha system can be expensive
  • 🔍 Overwhelming menu and UI
  • 🔋 High storage requirements
  • 🕰️ Slow energy/stamina recovery
  • 🔀 Repetitive mission types

Aether Gazer

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 👍 Generous free-to-play model
  • 🎨 Beautiful character designs
  • 🎮 Engaging combat mechanics
  • 💎 Rewarding gacha system

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔌 Performance issues on some devices
  • 🕹️ Lack of controller support
  • 📚 Confusing tutorial and UI
  • 🌐 Lack of Chinese language support

Bugs and requests

Honkai Impact 3rd

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent server connectivity
  • Progress reset after updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more playable male characters
  • Improve camera controls and targeting
  • Increase energy/stamina recovery rate
  • Streamline UI and menu navigation
  • Expand open-world exploration

Aether Gazer

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Game crashes during boss fights
  • Inability to progress past certain story missions
  • Graphical glitches and visual bugs
  • Login and connection issues
  • Gacha and purchase-related bugs

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add Chinese language support
  • Improve controller compatibility
  • Enhance tutorial and onboarding
  • Optimize performance for older devices
  • Introduce more endgame content

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Honkai Impact 3rd

One-time12
  • 65 B-Chips$0.99
  • 330 Crystal Bundle$4.99
  • 330 B-Chips$4.99
Show 9 more
  • 660+50 Crystals$9.99
  • 990 B-Chips$14.99
  • 1,320 Crystals$19.99
  • 1320+110 Crystals$19.99
  • 1,320 B-Chips$19.99
  • 1,980 B-Chips$29.99
  • 3,300 B-Chips$49.99
  • 3300+560 Crystals$49.99
  • 6600+1488 Crystals$99.99
11 purchases

Aether Gazer

One-time11
  • 60 Shifting Flowers$0.99
  • C-Obs$4.99
  • 490 Shifting Flowers$7.99
Show 8 more
  • Advanced Contract$9.99
  • $14.99 Pack$14.99
  • 990 Shifting Flowers$14.99
  • Outfit Voucher2$14.99
  • Acumen Contract$18.99
  • 1990 Shifting Flowers$29.99
  • 2990 Shifting Flowers$44.99
  • 6000 Shifting Flowers$89.99

Questions

Is Honkai Impact 3rd free?
Honkai Impact 3rd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aether Gazer free?
Aether Gazer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Honkai Impact 3rd or Aether Gazer?
Honkai Impact 3rd is rated higher. Honkai Impact 3rd averages 4.7 out of 5 from 47K ratings, while Aether Gazer averages 4.3 from 1.3K ratings.
Do Honkai Impact 3rd or Aether Gazer have ads?
Both Honkai Impact 3rd and Aether Gazer show ads.
Which is updated more often, Honkai Impact 3rd or Aether Gazer?
Honkai Impact 3rd ships an update every 2 months, and Aether Gazer every 3 months. Most recently, Honkai Impact 3rd was updated on September 25, 2026 and Aether Gazer on September 23, 2026.

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