If you’ve been gaming at all over the past few years, you’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding Genshin Impact. From stunning visuals to complex gameplay, the game has quickly become a phenomenon in the open-world RPG scene. I’ve been playing since its launch in 2020, and what started as casual curiosity has turned into an ongoing obsession. In this article, I want to share my personal journey with Genshin Impact, provide insights into why this game has such a grip on its audience, and offer some practical advice for both new and seasoned players.
My First Steps into Teyvat
I remember when I first downloaded Genshin Impact. I was skeptical because it was free-to-play, and, like many gamers, I had been burned by “freemium” models before. However, from the moment I started the game, I was blown away by the sheer beauty of the world of Teyvat. The landscapes were vast and immersive, the character designs were sharp, and the overall polish was impressive for a free game.
The game begins with you playing as the Traveler, on a quest to find your lost sibling while navigating a world of elemental magic and gods. Right away, I found myself lost in exploration. I didn’t rush through the quests like I might in other games. Instead, I wandered through Mondstadt, climbed cliffs just to take in the views, and played around with the game’s elemental combat system.
Looking back, it was this sense of discovery that got me hooked. Teyvat is alive in a way that many open-world games promise but don’t quite deliver. From the wind sweeping through the trees to the changing weather, everything in Genshin Impact feels alive.
Combat and Elemental Synergies: A Breath of Fresh Air
As someone who’s played plenty of RPGs, I was intrigued by Genshin Impact’s combat system. At first glance, it seems simple—you have characters with basic and special attacks, much like many other action games. But the game’s elemental system adds layers of depth that I wasn’t expecting.
Each character has an elemental affiliation, such as Pyro (fire), Cryo (ice), Hydro (water), and so on. The magic happens when you start experimenting with combining these elements. For example, if you’re using a Cryo character to freeze an enemy, you can switch to a Pyro character to cause a Melt reaction, dealing additional damage. As I progressed through the game, I found myself constantly tweaking my team composition to find the best combinations.
I remember one particularly tough boss fight—against the Oceanid, a water-themed boss that summons different animal minions. At first, I was getting destroyed. But after failing a few times, I realized I needed to capitalize on the game’s elemental reactions. I brought in a Cryo character to freeze the water minions and then used a Electro character to cause extra damage. That strategy finally got me through the fight.
The Gacha System: Blessing or Curse?
Ah, the infamous gacha system. If you’ve played Genshin Impact or even just heard about it, you probably know this is one of the more polarizing aspects of the game. Like many free-to-play games, Genshin Impact makes money by encouraging players to spend real-world cash to unlock new characters and weapons through a random draw system called “Wishes.”
When I started, I swore I wouldn’t spend a dime. I was determined to enjoy the game without falling into the trap of pulling for rare, high-tier characters. But after a few weeks of playing, I caved and bought a small bundle of Primogems (the in-game currency used for Wishes). I was desperate for Diluc, one of the strongest Pyro characters at the time. Did I get him? Nope. Instead, I ended up with a 4-star weapon that was fine, but nothing special. This experience taught me two things: (1) patience is key, and (2) the gacha system can be a double-edged sword.
However, you don’t need to spend money to enjoy the game. Over time, I’ve unlocked powerful characters like Xiangling and Fischl just by playing the game and saving up in-game currency. While there’s definitely a temptation to spend, Genshin Impact is generous enough with free resources that you can get by just fine as a free-to-play player.
The Ever-Expanding World
One of the things that keeps me coming back to Genshin Impact is how the game evolves over time. Every few months, miHoYo releases a new update that adds fresh content. This could be a limited-time event, new characters, or, most excitingly, a new region to explore.
When Inazuma, the game’s third region, was released, I was floored. The region is heavily inspired by Japanese culture, with cherry blossom trees, shrines, and samurai-like enemies scattered throughout. Inazuma also introduced new puzzles and challenges that felt fresh and exciting compared to Mondstadt and Liyue.
But what truly impresses me is how the developers keep expanding the lore and storylines. With each new update, I feel like I’m unwrapping another layer of the game’s rich world. Whether it’s uncovering more about the Archons (the gods of each region) or meeting new characters with their unique backstories, there’s always something new to discover.
Practical Advice for New Players
For those thinking about diving into Genshin Impact, here are a few tips that might help:
- Don’t rush the story: It’s tempting to speed through quests, but Genshin Impact rewards exploration. Take your time to enjoy the world, complete side quests, and open treasure chests.
- Experiment with teams: The game gives you plenty of free characters to start with, and you don’t need the rarest ones to progress. Try out different elemental combinations and see what works best for you.
- Save your Primogems: It’s easy to spend your in-game currency on every new banner (character release), but it’s often better to wait for a character you really want. Be strategic with your pulls.
- Join the community: Whether it’s Reddit, Discord, or YouTube, there are tons of Genshin Impact communities filled with tips, tricks, and advice. I’ve found that engaging with the community has made my experience more enjoyable, especially when I hit difficult parts of the game.
Final Thoughts: Why Genshin Impact Stands Out
In a gaming landscape full of open-world RPGs and gacha-based mobile games, Genshin Impact stands out because it feels like more than just a cash grab. The game is crafted with love and care, evident in its polished gameplay, stunning art, and deep lore. Even after hundreds of hours of gameplay, I’m still finding new things to do and new ways to enjoy the game.
While the gacha system can be frustrating, and the Resin system (used to limit daily activities) can feel restrictive at times, the overall experience has been incredibly rewarding. Genshin Impact offers something for every type of player, whether you’re in it for the story, the exploration, or the combat.
If you haven’t played Genshin Impact yet, I highly recommend giving it a try. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for something fun to pass the time, it’s a game that has the potential to captivate you, just as it has captivated millions of others.