Genshin Impact

Introduction: A New Era of Free-to-Play Gaming

When Genshin Impact launched globally in September 2020, it turned heads across the gaming world. Developed by miHoYo (now HoYoverse), this free-to-play action RPG didn’t just mimic the visuals of AAA console games—it redefined what mobile and live-service games could be. With an enormous open world, rich lore, action-based combat, and a deep gacha system, Genshin quickly became one of the most successful games of its generation.

But three years and multiple regions later, does Genshin Impact still hold its magic? In this expert review, we explore its journey, gameplay, narrative, visuals, monetization model, and player experience to help you decide whether Teyvat is still worth exploring.

1. The Origins and Rise of Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact was initially labeled by critics as a “Breath of the Wild clone.” But it quickly proved it was far more than just an imitation. The game debuted with Mondstadt and Liyue, capturing hearts with stunning art direction, engaging characters, and high production values.

Development started in 2017, with a clear goal: blend anime visuals, open-world exploration, and gacha systems. After a massively successful closed beta and pre-launch campaigns, it smashed records:

• 10 million pre-registrations

• Over $100 million in revenue in the first two weeks

• Available across PC, PS4/PS5, Android, iOS, and eventually cloud gaming

HoYoverse tapped into something rare: a game that appealed to both hardcore RPG fans and casual mobile players.

2. Exploring the World: Regions of Teyvat

Genshin Impact is set in the vast world of Teyvat, which consists of seven nations, each based on real-world cultures and elements.

Unlocked Regions (as of 2025):

• Mondstadt – Wind, inspired by Germany

• Liyue – Geo, based on China

• Inazuma – Electro, reflecting Japan

• Sumeru – Dendro, influenced by South Asia & Middle East

• Fontaine – Hydro, modeled on France

Each nation introduces unique architecture, NPC culture, monsters, puzzles, and world quests. The open world is filled with:

• Treasure chests

• Environmental puzzles

• Time-limited events

• Secrets that reward exploration

As new regions unlock, Teyvat continues to grow into one of the most immersive and diverse fantasy landscapes ever built in gaming.

3. Character Design and Roster

One of Genshin’s biggest strengths is its ever-growing roster of characters, each with:

• Unique personalities and backstories

• Elemental abilities (Pyro, Cryo, Hydro, Electro, Geo, Anemo, Dendro)

• Signature weapons and ascension materials

Free vs. Limited Characters

• Starter characters like Amber, Lisa, and Kaeya are permanently free.

• Limited 5-star banners introduce powerful characters like Nahida, Raiden Shogun, Zhongli, and Neuvillette.

Design Philosophy:

• Anime-style, expressive facial animations

• High-quality voice acting (JP, EN, CN, KR)

• Extensive lore interwoven into character story quests

Each character becomes a fan favorite for different reasons—from meta utility to emotional resonance.

4. Combat System: Real-Time Action with Elemental Strategy

Genshin Impact’s real-time combat system revolves around:

• Basic attacks

• Elemental Skills

• Elemental Bursts

What makes combat special is elemental reactions—combining elements to create effects like Vaporize, Superconduct, Overload, Bloom, and Hyperbloom.

Party Dynamics:

• 4-character team setups

• Switch characters on the fly for combos

• Build synergy around elemental resonance

Combat Variety:

• Crowd control (Anemo swirl)

• Shield-based (Geo tanks)

• Reaction damage (Dendro + Electro)

• Healing and sustain support

The system rewards both casual play and in-depth min-max theorycrafting.

5. Quests and Storytelling: From Archons to Side Tales

At first glance, Genshin’s story might feel trope-heavy—but give it time, and you'll discover a rich, emotional narrative spanning centuries of conflict, loss, and rebirth.

Main Types of Content:

• Archon Quests – Main storyline covering each nation.

• Story Quests – Deep dives into individual characters.

• World Quests – Side adventures with their own subplots.

• Limited Events – Temporary stories with high production value.

Standout moments like Raiden Shogun’s rebellion arc, Dainsleif’s Abyss lore, and Scaramouche’s transformation show that Genshin isn’t afraid to get dark, philosophical, and introspective.

6. Gacha Mechanics and Monetization

Genshin Impact is free-to-play, supported by a gacha (wish) system. Players use Primogems to roll for:

• 5-star and 4-star characters

• Weapons

 Gacha System Explained:

• Pity system guarantees a 5-star every 90 wishes.

• 50/50 mechanic adds RNG on banner characters.

• Standard banner includes a separate pool of non-event characters.

Monetization Breakdown:

• No forced spending—F2P viable

• Optional Battle Pass and Welkin Moon (monthly subscription)

• Cosmetic skins available for real money

Though the gacha model is controversial, Genshin offers ample free resources and generous rewards during events and patches.

7. Events and Seasonal Content

One of Genshin’s best features is its frequent seasonal events, which include:

• Mini-games

• Limited-time dungeons

• Exclusive storylines

• Fan-favorite character interactions

Fan-Favorite Events:

• Windblume Festival – Mondstadt celebration

• Lantern Rite – Liyue’s Chinese New Year equivalent

• Golden Apple Archipelago – A limited summer island event

These events often feature high production value and cutscenes that rival console RPGs, further enriching the world of Teyvat.

8. Multiplayer and Co-op Mode

While Genshin is primarily a single-player experience, it offers co-op functionality for up to four players.

Co-op Features:

• Join friends’ worlds for boss fights, exploration, or farming.

• Domains, Ley Lines, and Weekly Bosses are better with teammates.

Co-op Limitations:

• Quest progression is locked to the host.

• No PVP or battle arenas.

• Cannot complete story content in co-op.

Still, the option to team up and explore together is a welcome social addition that enhances replayability.

9. Technical Performance and Platform Support

Genshin is available on:

• Mobile (iOS, Android)

• PC (Windows)

• Console (PS4, PS5)

Optimization & Cross-Save:

• Cross-save works across PC, mobile, and PlayStation.

• Adjustable graphics settings for smooth performance on mid-tier devices.

• Constant updates improve UI, loading times, and controller support.

Drawbacks:

• No Xbox or Nintendo Switch version yet.

• Long initial download size (20–40GB).

• Occasional bugs post-update.

Despite being massive in scale, Genshin is one of the best-optimized free RPGs across platforms.