Editor Reviews

Genshin Impact throws you into a big, colorful world full of secrets, fast combat, and a steady stream of characters to meet and play as. It starts simple enough—your character searches for their lost sibling—but then it opens up. You'll be gliding through mountains, swimming across rivers, climbing ancient ruins, and blowing up enemies with magical tornadoes. It borrows heavily from games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but also establishes its unique rhythm. It's both relaxing and chaotic. One moment, you're picking apples; the next, you're setting off chain reactions with fire arrows and lightning swords.

The combat is fast and flashy. You can switch between four characters on the fly, each with their elemental powers. Mix ice with water to freeze enemies in place, or use wind to spread fire for a quick wipeout. The combos are satisfying, especially when you time them right. It feels like you’re in control of something quick and sharp.

There's a lot to collect. Characters, weapons, materials, fish—basically everything. Genshin Impact uses a gacha system to unlock new characters so that part can feel like rolling dice. Some players love that thrill. Others don't. But even if you stick with the default team, there's plenty to enjoy.

The map keeps getting bigger. At launch, it had one country. There are five regions, each with its theme, music, and monsters. You'll go from snowy cliffs to techno-inspired cities to underwater caves. It's not just visual, either. The quests, puzzles, and enemies all shift to match the location.

How to Play?

Step 1: Open the game and log in with your account. The game may take a moment to load. Once you're in, a short cutscene will play. You’ll choose either the male or female Traveler. This is your main character. Pick the one you like—gameplay won’t change based on your choice.

Step 2: Use the joystick on the left side of your screen (or the WASD keys on your PC) to move around. The right side controls your camera view. Follow the main quest marker, a yellow diamond, to trigger your first missions. This will help you become accustomed to movement, combat, and collecting items.

Step 3: Tap or click the attack button to swing your weapon. Hold it for a stronger hit. You’ll meet slimes and other basic enemies in the first ten minutes. Defeat them using a mix of basic attacks and Elemental Skills (each character has one). Use it by tapping the glowing skill button.

Step 4: Explore your surroundings. Open chests, climb cliffs, swim across rivers, and collect items like fruit, ore, and flowers. These items help with cooking, crafting, and later character upgrades.

Step 5: After meeting Amber, you'll unlock the ability to switch characters. You can now use bows, fire attacks, and more. Swap characters quickly in combat for combos. Elements react with each other—fire plus wind, for example, causes a swirl effect.

Step 6: Follow the Archon Quests (main story), upgrade your party using collected materials, and unlock statues to heal and open the map. Keep an eye on your stamina and save when needed.