Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is a massive action role-playing video game.

It was developed and published by miHoYo. The company's international subsidiary is Cognosphere, also known as HoYoverse. The game features an anime-style open-world environment. It uses an action-based battle system. This system relies on elemental magic and character-switching. The game is free-to-play but uses gacha mechanics for monetization. This model means the game is updated regularly as a service.

Players navigate a fantasy world called Teyvat. This world consists of seven major nations. Each nation is tied to a specific element and an ideal. These nations are ruled by individual gods called Archons. The story follows a character known as the Traveler. The Traveler is an interstellar adventurer. They were separated from their twin sibling after landing in Teyvat. A guide named Paimon accompanies the Traveler. Together, they journey across the nations to find the lost sibling. Along the way, they uncover the mysteries of the land.

Combat in Teyvat is built on seven distinct elements. These are Anemo (air), Geo (earth), Electro (electricity), Dendro (plants), Hydro (water), Cryo (ice), and Pyro (fire). Players can control a party of four characters. They can switch between these characters instantly during battle. Each character has an Elemental Skill and an Elemental Burst. The Skill is an attack with a set cooldown. The Burst is an ultimate attack that requires elemental energy. When different elements touch, they create elemental reactions.

For example, a Hydro attack can make an enemy "Wet." A subsequent Cryo attack will then freeze that enemy.

Exploration is a core part of the gameplay experience. Players can run, climb, swim, and glide through the environment. Some characters have abilities that alter the terrain. For instance, they can freeze water to create an ice path. Players can find food to cook for health or stat boosts. They can also gather ore to refine into weapons. Challenges and bosses reward players with valuable resources. Using these resources requires a currency called Original Resin. Completing challenges increases a player's Adventure Rank. This rank unlocks new quests and raises the World Level.

History shows the game's rapid expansion across many platforms. It originally launched for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows. A PlayStation 5 version followed in 2021. An Xbox Series X/S version arrived in November 2024. In September 2025, a native port for HarmonyOS NEXT released in China. The game's monetization uses a gacha system called "Wishes." Players use Primogems to pull for characters and weapons. A pity system guarantees rare items after a set number of pulls. This system has been a point of criticism for some players.

Since its release in 2020, the game has seen massive commercial success. By its fourth anniversary in 2024, it reached significant total revenue. The game has earned several prestigious industry awards. It won Best Mobile Game at the 2021 Game Awards. It also won the Still Playing Award at the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards. However, the game has faced various controversies. These include concerns over privacy, security, and content censorship. Critics have also discussed the game's endgame and monetization models.

Many elements of Teyvat are inspired by our own world. The art style draws from anime. The environments are inspired by real-world cultures and mythologies. For example, the landscapes reflect real locations like Zhangjiajie in China.

The game also connects to other modes like Genius Invokation TCG. This is a tabletop-based card game released in December 2022. Additionally, the Miliastra Wonderland system was added in October 2025. This allows players to create and share their own content.