Especially compared to Genshin Impact, this game is surprisingly good. Teambuilding/strategy is flexible, so F2P is entirely viable as long as you are strategic with your banner pulls (I may have just gotten lucky though). To play end-game content you will need to play semi-regularly, but it doesn't need to be daily.

The ability to auto-battle mitigates a lot of the Grind to get strong teams since it can be done while doing something else. And, your auto-battle team doesn't have to be fast or strong--just reliable.

The writing is decent and genuinely funny. The characters are still tropes, but at least they have a sense of humor. The main quest plotlines are hit or miss, but there are some good quests and the lore is compelling.

As a time-wasting game, you can do worse than Honkai: Star Rail. You can also do better.