Genshin Impact Review

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RPG Odyssey

(Spoilers Ahead)

1. Story and Plot

Narrative Review 

The narrative of Genshin Impact is both sprawling and layered, setting up a grand, continent-spanning journey centered around the Traveler, who is on a quest to reunite with their sibling. This objective, though seemingly simple, quickly becomes intricate as it collides with each region's unique struggles, gods, and historical conflicts. The structure is divided by regions, each with distinct cultural, political, and mystical dynamics, making each part of the journey feel fresh and immersive.

The writing consistently impresses with its depth, blending humor, mystery, and emotion in ways that feel natural to the story and to the player’s journey. Characters like Paimon offer levity and commentary, creating an interactive storytelling experience that deepens your investment. As you’ve noted, one standout arc is the time loop in Sumeru, a fascinating and mind-bending chapter that adds a unique twist to traditional storytelling while reflecting on themes of memory and perception. This arc, alongside others, demonstrates the game’s commitment to engaging, multi-layered storytelling that surprises players with its complexity and philosophical undertones.

Overall, Genshin Impact has an engaging and well-structured narrative that rewards curiosity and exploration, setting it apart from many other action RPGs. The stakes feel personal and world-changing at the same time, ensuring the player’s connection to the unfolding story is ever-present.

Character Review

Genshin Impact boasts an impressive and diverse cast, each character bringing unique skills, backstories, and personalities to the world of Teyvat. With so many characters introduced across each region, the sheer quantity can sometimes limit the depth of development for each one, with only a handful receiving detailed arcs. However, the personal connection to the Traveler serves as an anchor. Since players choose the Traveler’s responses, this character becomes highly relatable, allowing the story to feel like a shared experience between the player and the game.

Certain characters, like Keqing and Raiden Shogun, leave a lasting impact through their complex personalities and growth, even if not every character is given extensive screen time. And characters like Fischel bring a unique charm through their eccentric personalities, which resonate strongly with players, making them memorable beyond the storyline. Fischel’s poetic, grandiose way of speaking, for instance, showcases the game’s commitment to personality-driven dialogue, which stands out in a large ensemble cast.

The Sumeru cast is especially well-rounded, with its core characters going through significant, memorable arcs that add both emotional weight and relatability. The time-loop arc, for instance, showcases their resilience, and the mystery surrounding each character’s role deepens the connection players feel with them. Overall, while the development may be spread thin in some areas, Genshin Impact’s characters remain engaging and leave a strong impression through distinct traits, memorable interactions, and the game’s ability to infuse unique quirks into each personality.

World-Building Review

The world-building in Genshin Impact is nothing short of remarkable, seamlessly blending lore, myth, and a deep-rooted sense of mystery that captivates players. Each region in Teyvat brings its own rich history, unique architecture, and cultural identity, making exploration not only visually engaging but also intellectually stimulating. The game layers its lore with revelations that gradually unravel larger mysteries—one of the most impactful being the mystery surrounding the Traveler’s sibling. Learning that the sibling is involved with the antagonists added an unexpected twist that raises countless questions about Teyvat’s power dynamics and hidden agendas.

One of the most striking discoveries is tied to the Irminsul tree in Sumeru, which remembers everyone native to Teyvat yet seems to recognize only the sibling, not the Traveler. This revelation, alongside the Doctor’s claim about Teyvat’s sky potentially being an artificial construct, adds an eerie complexity to the Traveler’s origins. It forces players to question their understanding of Teyvat’s cosmology and raises doubts about the Traveler’s memories, possibly hinting at a memory gap or even hidden truths about their past. This layered approach builds anticipation and immerses players in a universe filled with intrigue and existential puzzles.

Overall, Genshin Impact excels in crafting a richly detailed world that is both immersive and filled with thought-provoking mysteries, making it a living, breathing setting with endless potential for discovery. Each new region adds depth and complexity to Teyvat’s lore, leaving players eager to uncover more of its secrets.

2. Gameplay

Gameplay Review

The core gameplay mechanics of Genshin Impact are both intuitive and enjoyable, blending exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving in a way that feels seamless and rewarding. Upon first playing, the open-world mechanics and visual style immediately felt reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, with expansive landscapes to explore, environmental puzzles, and a wide array of activities scattered across the map. The fluidity of combat, combined with the elemental system, adds layers of strategy that keep encounters fresh, especially during story quests where the gameplay is integrated into the unfolding narrative.

However, the leveling system does introduce some drawbacks. Needing specific items to ascend characters and equipment—especially when restricted to certain days of the week—often disrupts the natural progression, adding a sense of tedium. The limitation on challenging specific enemies only once per week can also feel frustrating, especially if you’re not in the mood to deal with grinding. This structure, though manageable, can sometimes detract from the overall experience, especially when you’d rather dive straight back into exploration or story progression.

Surprisingly, the gacha element adds a unique thrill. Far from feeling like a chore, pulling for new characters and weapons often feels rewarding, adding an element of anticipation and variety to the gameplay. In all, the core mechanics of Genshin Impact are engaging and innovative, with only a few system-based drawbacks that occasionally hinder an otherwise fantastic experience.

Combat System

The combat in Genshin Impact is action-oriented, designed around a unique elemental system that encourages creative team-building and quick, strategic thinking. Players form a party of four characters, each with distinct elemental abilities, and switch between them in real time to unleash powerful combos. For instance, combining fire and water creates a Vaporize effect, while ice and electricity produce Superconduct, each with specific advantages depending on the enemy and situation. This focus on elemental interactions adds depth to battles, rewarding players who experiment with different setups to maximize damage and exploit enemy weaknesses.

The system is both balanced and challenging, particularly as players face higher-level enemies and bosses that require precise timing and skillful switching. Each character plays a unique role, whether as a main damage-dealer, support, or healer, which makes assembling the right team for specific encounters a satisfying puzzle. The combat remains engaging throughout, providing ample challenge without becoming overwhelming.

Overall, Genshin Impact’s combat system is well-balanced, challenging players to think on their feet while allowing them the freedom to build and experiment with a variety of team compositions, making it one of the game’s standout features.

Exploration Review

In Genshin Impact, exploration strikes a perfect balance, offering a structured yet open world where you can engage at your own pace. Unlike Breath of the Wild, which emphasizes unmarked, aimless exploration, Genshin Impact provides a map with useful markers and points of interest. This layout allows for a more efficient approach to exploration, giving you the flexibility to make the most of limited playtime without the need to wander aimlessly. Knowing where to go helps make exploration feel productive rather than overwhelming, a significant improvement for those with busy schedules.

The world of Teyvat is incredibly diverse, spanning lush forests, sweeping deserts, deep canyons, and even underwater realms. These varied environments make each region feel distinct, giving players a sense of discovery that doesn’t require an exhaustive time commitment. Hidden treasure chests, puzzles, and world quests are scattered throughout, rewarding curious players while still respecting the time of those who prefer a more directed experience.

Overall, Genshin Impact excels in providing a world that feels vast and full of secrets but still respects players’ time, making exploration rewarding without being overwhelming. This balance is ideal for anyone who wants meaningful discoveries without sacrificing hours to simply find their way.

Quests and Side Activities Review

Genshin Impact is packed with quests, ranging from daily commissions to the expansive Archon Quests that drive the main storyline. The main quests are where the game shines, providing a deep and immersive narrative that makes Teyvat feel like a dynamic, evolving world. These quests tie directly into the core story and keep players engaged with rich lore, new characters, and grand plot developments.

Daily quests are convenient and help maintain a consistent play rhythm, especially for those looking to earn rewards without a significant time investment each day. Side quests, though numerous, vary in quality and necessity; they often unlock essential character development features, like Kaeya’s domain or Raiden Shogun’s mini-boss encounter in Inazuma. While these side quests are important for unlocking certain game mechanics or character upgrades, they sometimes feel tedious or challenging to complete, especially quests like the domain atop the ice mountain, the boss unlock in Inazuma, and the underground Chasm. These quests stand out for their difficulty and the time investment they require, which can feel frustrating when you’re eager to progress quickly.

Despite a few challenges, the variety of quests helps flesh out the game’s world, offering players a range of experiences that go beyond the main story. The diversity in quests ensures there’s always something to do, whether it’s a quick daily task or a story-driven mission, making Genshin Impact an engaging experience that always has something new to offer.

3. Graphics and Art Design

Visual Style Review

Genshin Impact is a visual masterpiece, with every detail crafted to draw players into its breathtaking world. The art direction blends anime-inspired aesthetics with a soft, painterly style that brings Teyvat’s diverse landscapes and intricate character designs to life. Each region has its own distinct visual identity, from Mondstadt’s sweeping green hills to Inazuma’s electrifying islands, and most recently, the stunning underwater realms of Fontaine. The result is a world that feels both unique and meticulously curated, full of vibrant colors and intricate textures.

The character designs are equally impressive, showcasing diverse outfits, elemental effects, and expressive animations that make each hero visually memorable. The attention to detail, from the scenery to the characters, makes Genshin Impact a feast for the eyes, keeping players immersed in the beauty of its world. The visual style is not only aesthetically pleasing but has also become a hallmark of the game, making it instantly recognizable and setting a high standard for open-world RPGs.

Technical Quality Review

The graphic quality of Genshin Impact is outstanding, especially given that it’s a free-to-play title. The game’s textures and lighting are highly detailed, capturing a sense of realism that enhances its beautiful, fantasy-driven art style. From subtle lighting changes during day-night cycles to the intricate textures on character costumes, the game’s technical quality shows impressive craftsmanship. Each scene, whether a cityscape or natural landscape, is rendered with care, creating a visually immersive experience.

Character animations are smooth and add a dynamic touch to combat, exploration, and interactions, making gameplay feel fluid and responsive. Despite its high-quality visuals, Genshin Impact manages to run efficiently on the PS5 (I have not play in other devices), which is a testament to its optimized design.

In terms of glitches, only minor issues arise occasionally, none of which detract from the game’s overall experience. These small glitches are easy to overlook, allowing the game to maintain its high enjoyment level. All in all, the technical quality of Genshin Impact sets a high standard for free-to-play games, showcasing beautiful graphics, detailed animations, and impressive optimization.

Character and Environment Design Review

In Genshin Impact, both character and environment designs are carefully crafted to align seamlessly with the game’s themes of fantasy, adventure, and cultural diversity. Each character is richly detailed, with distinct outfits, accessories, and color schemes that reflect not only their personalities but also the elemental powers they wield. The design consistency ensures that each character feels like an essential part of Teyvat’s diverse world, from the knights of Mondstadt to the warriors of Inazuma and the scholars of Sumeru.

The environments are equally impressive, reflecting the aesthetics and cultural inspirations of each region while maintaining cohesion across the entire world. This consistency helps ground the fantasy themes, making each region feel distinct yet connected to the broader Teyvat lore. The attention to detail is evident in every landscape, from Mondstadt’s European-inspired architecture to Sumeru’s lush rainforests, creating a world that feels vibrant, layered, and immersive. Together, the character and environment designs contribute to a cohesive and beautifully realized game world that complements Genshin Impact’s narrative and thematic depth.

4. Sound and Music

Soundtrack Review

The soundtrack in Genshin Impact is well-produced and fitting for the game’s various regions and themes, though it doesn’t always stand out as particularly memorable. Each area in Teyvat is accompanied by region-specific tracks that blend cultural influences with fantasy elements, providing an atmospheric backdrop that enhances immersion without overpowering the experience.

That said, most of the music feels somewhat average, with only a few standout tracks leaving a lasting impression. One example is the Port Ormos theme in Sumeru, which strikes a perfect balance of ambiance and melody, capturing the region’s unique cultural flavor. While the soundtrack may not be the game’s most memorable feature, it does a solid job of setting the tone and supporting the visuals and story without becoming a focal point. In the end, it complements the experience without necessarily elevating it, making it an enjoyable yet neutral component of Genshin Impact’s overall design.

Voice Acting Review

The voice acting in Genshin Impact is generally strong, bringing depth and personality to its diverse cast. Sara Miller-Crews does an excellent job as the female Traveler, lending a lovely and fitting voice to the character, though it can be a bit disappointing that the Traveler’s lines are limited. This choice makes it harder for players to hear Miller-Crews’s full range, but the voice adds warmth and relatability when it does appear.

A standout performance is Brittany Cox as Fischl in English, capturing her eccentric, theatrical way of speaking that truly brings Fischl’s personality to life. The combination of exaggerated tone and unique dialogue delivery gives Fischl an unmistakable charm, making her one of the more memorable voices in the game.

The Japanese voice acting, while generally well-regarded, has its moments of contention—particularly with Paimon, whose high-pitched tone might be off-putting for some. Overall, the voice acting does well to enhance each character’s personality, creating a more immersive experience that resonates with players in both subtle and standout ways.

Sound Effects Review

The sound effects in Genshin Impact are effective, contributing a layer of realism and immersion to the gameplay without necessarily breaking new ground. From the clashing of swords to elemental effects like thunder and fire, the sounds are polished and suit the game’s fantasy setting well. They provide enough realism to keep players immersed, aligning well with the visual elements and gameplay without drawing too much attention to themselves.

While not revolutionary, the sound effects complement the action and enhance the overall experience, ensuring that each ability, environmental interaction, and combat sequence feels grounded in the world of Teyvat.

5. User Interface and Controls

UI Design

The user interface (UI) in Genshin Impact is functional and straightforward, providing players with easy access to necessary information without overwhelming the screen. While the design isn’t groundbreaking, it effectively does its job, ensuring that menus, maps, and character management options are accessible and intuitive. Navigation through the UI is smooth, and key information is generally well-organized, allowing players to manage inventory, quests, and characters without much hassle.

Overall, while not exceptional, the UI design is practical and supports the gameplay experience well, offering a clean and user-friendly layout that keeps the focus on exploration and combat without drawing attention to itself.

Controls

Playing on the PS5, Genshin Impact’s controls are responsive and intuitive, making exploration and combat smooth and enjoyable. The control scheme is well-optimized for console gameplay, allowing quick character switching, elemental skills, and movement with minimal effort. The responsive controls contribute to an immersive experience, especially during action-heavy sequences, where precision and timing are key.

Overall, the controls feel natural and easy to use, enhancing the gameplay flow without any issues.

6. Replayability and Content

Genshin Impact offers substantial content and replayability, with a game length that far exceeds traditional RPGs. Having played for nine months, progressing through multiple regions, it’s clear that the game’s vast world and continuous updates ensure long-term engagement. Each region offers unique stories, characters, and challenges, which makes exploring Teyvat feel like a journey that unfolds over time rather than something to “finish” quickly. This extended gameplay length provides excellent value for those looking to invest in a game with constant content.

Replayability in Genshin Impact is somewhat unique, as starting a new playthrough could yield a different set of characters, depending on gacha availability. This randomization adds a layer of variety, though players usually create a separate account to fully replay the game from scratch. For most, however, one account offers enough progression and replay value through new updates, without needing to restart.

Post-launch content is another strong point. Every few weeks, the game introduces updates that add new regions, events, quests, and characters, keeping the world of Teyvat dynamic and ever-evolving. These regular updates, combined with significant story expansions, add to the game’s overall value, making Genshin Impact feel fresh and worth revisiting even for long-term players.

7. Performance and Technical Aspects

On the PS5, Genshin Impact performs exceptionally well, delivering a smooth, seamless experience with minimal load times and impressive visual fidelity. The game’s high frame rate and optimized performance on next-gen hardware allow for fluid combat, exploration, and transitions between areas, enhancing the immersion and making gameplay highly enjoyable.

In terms of technical issues, Genshin Impact has a few minor glitches here and there, but nothing that disrupts the overall experience. These issues are generally infrequent and don’t impact gameplay significantly, making them easy to overlook for most players. Overall, the game’s performance and technical stability are solid, providing a polished experience on the PS5.

8. Originality and Innovation

Genshin Impact brings a fresh approach to the action RPG genre, particularly through its character-switching combat system. The ability to switch between four characters in real-time adds strategic depth to battles, allowing players to combine elemental abilities and create powerful reactions on the fly. This mechanic feels innovative and distinguishes Genshin Impact from many other games, making combat dynamic and engaging. Additionally, while the character development system might have its challenges, it’s a unique approach that hasn’t been widely seen, adding an extra layer of individuality to each character’s progression.

The game frequently draws comparisons to Breath of the Wild, a likely influence in terms of exploration, open-world design, and aesthetic choices. However, Genshin Impact builds upon and refines these elements, offering a structured map, frequent content updates, and guided exploration that resonate better with players looking for a balance between open-world freedom and directed gameplay. In many ways, Genshin Impact not only matches but surpasses its inspirations by creating an experience that feels more accessible and rewarding over the long term.

9. Overall Enjoyment

Overall Enjoyment Review for Genshin Impact

After nine months of daily play, it’s clear that Genshin Impact delivers a consistently engaging experience. Despite some personal dislikes—like the tedious leveling system—the main story keeps drawing me back. With its intriguing narrative, continuous character reveals, and world-expanding quests, Genshin Impact has a magnetic quality that makes it hard to put down. Memorable story arcs, like the mind-bending time loop in Sumeru, have left a lasting impression, making the journey feel rewarding and satisfying.

This game is well-suited for a broad audience, from seasoned fans of RPGs to newcomers seeking an accessible entry into the genre. For anyone who loves a good fantasy story filled with mysteries, powerful characters, and rich lore, Genshin Impact offers a compelling experience that’s both immersive and deeply enjoyable.