Genshin Impact Overview: Exploring a Rich Open-World Adventure

Genshin Impact, developed by miHoYo, is an action RPG set in the fantasy world of Teyvat. Released in 2020, it features anime-style graphics and dynamic combat using elemental magic. Players control The Traveler, searching across Teyvat’s seven nations for their lost sibling with the help of Paimon. Inspired by games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and anime, it’s praised for its combat and expansive world. Criticisms include its simple endgame and monetization via gacha mechanics. Despite controversies, it’s grossed nearly $3.8 billion by 2022, setting a record for first-year launch revenue.

Gameplay

Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG where players control one of four characters in combat, switching between them to utilize various skills. Characters level up and enhance abilities by equipping artifacts and weapons. Exploration offers challenges for valuable rewards managed by Original Resin. Advancing Adventure Rank unlocks quests and raises World Level, affecting enemy difficulty and loot quality. Players perform actions like running, climbing, and gliding, managing stamina. Teleportation points and Statues of The Seven aid fast travel and provide benefits. Resources like food and ore are gathered for crafting and character enhancement. Multiplayer supports up to four players across platforms. Additional characters are unlocked through quests or by using in-game currencies in the gacha system ‘Wishes’.

Story

Setting

In the world of Teyvat, the story of Genshin Impact revolves around seven major nations: Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya. Each nation is governed by a deity known as an Archon, who represents one of the world’s seven elements. For example, Mondstadt is ruled by Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, with wind being a central theme in its culture and landscape. These Archons are part of a divine group known as “The Seven,” who are closely tied to Celestia, a celestial body overseeing Teyvat. Humans with Visions, magical gems granting elemental powers, are considered “allogenes” and can potentially ascend to godhood.Beyond divine rule, each nation also has its own human governing bodies: Mondstadt is overseen by the Knights of Favonius, Liyue by the Qixing, Inazuma by the Shogunate, Sumeru by the Akademiya, and Fontaine by the Palais Mermonia.

Plot

A pair of “star traveler” twins who visit different worlds arrive in the world of Teyvat and witness the destruction of the nation of Khaenri’ah. While attempting to flee the chaos, an unnamed god blocks their path and separates them: she captures one and seals away the power of the other. The sealed twin (known as the “Traveler”) awakens five hundred years later and meets Paimon, who becomes their companion. For months, they travel together and then make their way to Mondstadt. There, they begin the search for the Traveler’s missing sibling.

Characters

As Paimon and the Traveler are on their way to Mondstadt, they meet Amber of the Knights of Favonius — she had been scouting monster camps nearby. After brief questioning, she offers to escort the duo to the city after completing her tasks. Later, a dragon dubbed “Stormterror” attacks Mondstadt, and the Traveler gets caught by one of his whirlwinds. The Traveler manages to fend off the dragon and catches the attention of the Knights of Favonius. They become acquainted with other members: Acting Grand Master Jean, Cavalry Captain Kaeya, and resident librarian Lisa.  The Traveler agrees to help the Knights resolve the ongoing crisis and gains more allies: Venti, a local bard who wants to help the dragon, and wine tycoon Diluc.

Development and Release