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A free, third-person RPG with 30 characters, crisp graphics, and environments that are filled with puzzles and collectibles

A free, third-person RPG with 30 characters, crisp graphics, and environments that are filled with puzzles and collectibles

Vote: (8 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: miHoYo Co. Ltd.

Version: 4.5

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android

Vote:

Program license

(8 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

miHoYo Co. Ltd.

4.5

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android

Pros

  • Genshin is a free-to-play game with exciting gameplay and complete polish.
  • Hours upon hours of content with a strong story and diverse world/characters.
  • Future updates will remain free and add even more content to the game.

Cons

  • At present, the endgame leaves a lot to be desired with not much but grinding.
  • Gacha system may turn many potential players away.
  • Energy-based system for domains is frustrating for regular players.

Genshin Impact brings players on an adventure to the world of Teyvat. Released in 2020, MiHoYo developed and published this open world role playing game. The game released to multiple platforms, but the Windows version remains the most popular. In the game, players control various characters with magical abilities. Is Genshin Impact the most surprising breakout hit of 2020? Find out in this overview and review of the title!

What's The Story Behind Genshin Impact?

The game opens with the Traveler and their twin relaxing in Teyvat. They both possess the power to travel in between worlds. Unexpectedly, a goddess shows up and kidnaps the Traveler's sibling, removing the Traveler's abilities. The Traveler then receives the blessing of a wind god and proceeds to embark on a journey to rescue their sibling. However, world events in Teyvat bring rope the Traveler into countless other journeys.

Players spend most of the game so far in Mondstat and Liyue, two regions within Teyvat. They find themselves battling gods, monsters, and other human beings. As of this writing, two regions are available for exploration with more areas planned for release. Each region features its own elemental theme. Certain characters feature Visions, which allow them to harness elemental energy and battle for various goals and ends.

What's Gameplay Like In Genshin Impact?

At its core, Genshin Impact features open world gameplay with a focus on action. Action-based combat sees players hack and slash to defeat enemies. Elemental abilities and bursts are thrown into the mix with the potential for powerful combinations. RPG elements like character and weapon leveling play a prominent role as well. Throughout the game, players defeat enemies and open treasure chests to earn experience, money, and loot.

Grinding for resources and materials plays a major role in Genshin Impact, too. The game is designed to keep players coming back as often as possible. Unsurprisingly, resources are required to level up characters and weapons. Certain resources exist only within domains and only on certain days. Therefore, dedicated players need to keep coming back to grind for the items they need to proceed in the game.

Proceeding through the game requires increasing one's Adventure Rank. The Adventure Rank acts like a gate to the next section of the game. Then again, character level limits what players can achieve as well. Loot acquisition and grinding for resources then control how quickly players level their characters. Genshin Impact is designed like a game players grind in small bursts on a daily basis to fuel long-term progress.

A Free-To-Play Gacha Game With Many Excellent Elements and Some Annoying Elements

Genshin Impact costs nothing to download and play from MiHoYo's website. Of course, the game relies on a gacha model to bring in revenue. Players can earn crystals in order to make wishes, which yield new characters and equipment. Crystals accrue in game for completing challenges and achievements at a relatively slow rate. From there, a player can purchase crystals to give themselves more wishes (and hopefully more characters).

The wishes act like a loot box system because drop rates remain painfully low for new characters. On top of that, Genshin Impact features a time-based energy system for accessing domains, referred to as Original Resin. Resin builds up slowly over time, and players hold a maximum of 160 Resin in the game today. This particular system limits how many times players can run domains per day, unless they buy more crystals for more resin.

Despite the gacha model and energy system, Genshin Impact is an incredibly well-made game. Gameplay elements combine into an excellent game with plenty of action and exploration. Voice acting is top notch within the game, and the visuals are stunning. The game draws heavy inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. Luckily, Genshin Impact stands on its own merits and brings Teyvat to life.

The Final Verdict On Genshin Impact

Without a doubt, Genshin Impact plays like a AAA title from a giant game studio. MiHoYo created a beautiful game with a compelling story and excellent gameplay mechanics. Not everyone will love the gacha system, but the game is truly free-to-play. A limited co-op mode is included in the game, and special events regularly run for players. In the end, Genshin Impact remains one of the biggest surprises of 2020 for video games.

Pros

  • Genshin is a free-to-play game with exciting gameplay and complete polish.
  • Hours upon hours of content with a strong story and diverse world/characters.
  • Future updates will remain free and add even more content to the game.

Cons

  • At present, the endgame leaves a lot to be desired with not much but grinding.
  • Gacha system may turn many potential players away.
  • Energy-based system for domains is frustrating for regular players.