The free anime RPG that overdelivers
Genshin Impact is a free role-playing game developed by miHoYo that lets you explore the colorful map of Teyvat. The game features a diverse roster of characters. You can assemble a team of four characters and switch between them during gameplay to optimize your strategy.
Prior to this game’s release, the developer was well-known for its creation of Honkai Impact. You can scale structures by climbing and soar through the air by gliding in both games. Black Desert, Blue Protocol, Dragon Raja, and League of Legends are some other comparable battle-based video games.
Why is Genshin Impact so popular?
Genshin Impact is a free-to-play adventure title that delivers pristine graphics and a vast interactive map that gives you plenty of places to discover. The open-world environment is filled with chests, collectibles, and puzzles. In certain areas of the map, you will come across bosses and enemies that you need to battle during your journey in order to collect their resources to help upgrade your characters.
Simple decisions can lead to multi-faceted chain reactions. You may open a treasure chest that unlocks a quest or follow a non-player character to a boss fight. Players can also unlock new characters for free as the game progresses or opt to wish for a random character on the game’s Standard and Time-Limited banners. Each character in the game has a specific weapon and skill set based on the basic elements: wind, ice, flora, electricity, water, earth, and fire.
The elements are referred to as Anemo, Cryo, Dendro, Electro, Hydro, Geo, and Pyro. These elements form a key part of the game, tying in closely with the plot and the environment that surrounds you. Take note, the terrain and villains react to each element differently. You can create your team of four based on complementary powers. Since the characters are quickly switchable, you can chain together various elements.
With the ability to store up to 2,000 unique items in your inventory, you can pick up accessories, food, tools, weapons, and other resources. Each of the items has a description available in your inventory, with some offering a peek into the deeper intricacies of the game’s lore. You can also cook recipes with the food you gather to help your character, boost their abilities, or give them fuel to move without losing stamina too quickly.
What is the goal of Genshin Impact?
Your ultimate goal in Genshin Impact is to find your separated sibling. The storyline begins with you and your sibling jumping into a different dimension. An unknown archon then appears to block you both from entering the realm. A brief battle takes place where the aforementioned Archon wins. Afterward, you get to choose which twin brother or sister you want to continue as.
You’re unconscious until you wake up on a beach with a newfound partner: Paimon. Your floating friend serves as your guide to everything within the game. While you search for the unknown archon to get your twin back, you help locals by completing tasks. Each territory has a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart from all the other regions. With this, each area will also have its own set of tasks and quests unique to the terrain or nature of the region.
While Genshin Impact is a primarily single-player game, the option to play with friends in co-op mode is available after reaching Adventure Rank 16. Up to three other players can join your world. Since you do not need to stick together, each player is free to roam around. However, they can also help you out when defeating certain bosses and enemies. Take note, though, that players can only join worlds with a World Level and Adventure Rank equal to or lower than their own.
Is Genshin Impact pay-to-win?
Genshin Impact is a pretty generous gacha game. It is a rare free-to-play game that does not require you to pay to win, although in-app purchases will speed up the gameplay. While the later levels require more grinding, the earlier tasks are easy to play without paying. No worries, though, as you can naturally gain in-game currencies by completing quests, logging in daily, and taking part in events.
The speed at which you earn currencies like Primogems will all depend on whether you really want a playable character on your team. Limited-time characters like Furina and Wanderer are popular and highly sought-after for a good reason—and you’ll have the chance to get more of the other limited characters thanks to the dual Wish Event type. Meanwhile, getting new characters can be a good investment, too. They will be of great help in defeating powerful enemies like the Abyss Heralds.
What’s new in version 5.7
Version 5.7, titled “A Space and Time for You,” highlights the debut of Skirk as a playable character, a powerful Abyss figure with two distinct combat styles: enhanced Normal Attacks for sustained damage or a potent Elemental Burst for AoE Cryo damage. These modes utilize "Serpent’s Subtlety" instead of Elemental Energy and offer valuable team synergy with Hydro and Cryo characters, boosting their Elemental Skills and her own DMG.
You also meet Dahlia, a new 4-star Hydro support, the Deacon of the Church of Favonius, providing renewable shields and ATK SPD buffs. The Event Wishes for Version 5.7 feature Skirk, Dahlia, and Shenhe in the first half, followed by Pyro Archon Mavuika and Emilie reruns. Your Archon Quest continues, as the Abyss Order mobilizes in Natlan, and Dainsleif joins you on the front lines in an unprecedented form.
This update introduces a new permanent combat mode, "Stygian Onslaught," with rotating bosses and escalating difficulty, offering you Artifacts and "Dust of Enlightenment" for re-rolling artifact enhancements. You can also enjoy a new Sumeru Akademiya simulated adventure game, combining tactical team-building with luck for Primogems and Sethos. Finally, more optimizations are implemented, including mobile resource options and direct Fragile Resin use for Ley Line Blossoms and common challenge Domains.
A refreshing action game
Genshin Impact is an attractive role-playing game filled with bright landscapes and animated anime-style characters. The map features multiple regions that each holds secrets to unlock. An appealing element of culture is integrated into the setting. You can unlock all of the characters by completing the list of quests. Additionally, you can receive inventory from NPCs with whom you talk.