Genshin Impact takes place in the fantasy world of Teyvat, home to seven nations, each of which is tied to a different element and ruled by a different god (archon). The story follows the Traveler, an interstellar adventurer who, at the start of the game, is separated from their twin sibling after the two land in Teyvat. Thereafter, the Traveler journeys across the nations of Teyvat in search of the lost sibling, accompanied by their guide, Paimon. Along the way, the two befriend myriad individuals, become involved in the affairs of its nations, and begin to unravel the mysteries of the land.
Its development began in 2017 and takes inspiration from a variety of sources, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, anime, Gnosticism, and an array of cultures and world mythologies. Genshin Impact has received generally positive reviews, with critics writing approving of its combat mechanics and its immersive open world. Conversely, some criticism has been directed at its simplistic endgame and its gacha-based monetization model. The game has also been subjected to controversy over censorship of content related to Chinese politics, allegations of colorism in character design, and privacy and security concerns. Across all platforms, the game is estimated to have grossed nearly $3.8 billion by the end of 2022, representing the highest ever first-year launch revenue for any video game.[2][3]
Gameplay
The player may freely explore an open-world map. Here Aether, the male Traveler, is seen gliding, but the player can switch to other party members.
Genshin Impact is an open-world, action role-playing game that allows the player to control one of four interchangeable characters in a party.[4] Switching between characters can be done quickly during combat, allowing the player to use several different combinations of skills and attacks.[5] Characters may have their abilities enhanced in various ways, mainly through directly leveling them up and improving the artifacts and weapons that a character can equip.[6] In addition to exploration, the player can attempt various challenges for rewards. Scattered across Teyvat are bosses and challenges that reward highly valuable resources, but claiming them uses up a currency called Original Resin, which slowly regenerates over time.[7] Completing these challenges grants the player progress towards increasing their Adventure Rank, which in turn unlocks new quests, challenges, and raises the World Level.[8] The World Level is a measure of how strong the enemies within the world are and the rarity of rewards that defeating them gives.[9]
The player can control their character and perform actions such as running, climbing, swimming, and gliding, all limited by stamina.[10][5] Some characters possess abilities that can alter the environment, such as freezing water to create an ice path that can aid the player in traversing terrain.[5] Many teleportation points exist throughout the world that players can warp to as a form of fast travel; among these are landmarks known as Statues of The Seven that can heal and revive characters, and provide benefits such as increasing player stamina.[11]Items such as food and ore may be procured from the open world, while enemies and treasure chests drop other types of resources that may be used in enhancing a character's strength. Players can obtain food from hunting animals, gathering fruit and vegetables, or purchasing them from in-game shops. Furthermore, there are special battle instances called "Domains" that reward materials which increase character and weapon strength.[12] Meals cooked from ingredients gathered in the overworld may also provide desirable effects, such as regenerating characters' health or boosting various stats.[13] Players can also procure ore that can be refined and then used to create weapons or enhance their strength.[14][15]
A multiplayer mode is available in the form of co-op. Up to four players can play together in the overworld and join Domains.[16] Player matching can either be done by requesting to connect with another player, or through an automatic search.[16][17] The game features cross-platform play, so players on any platform can play with each other.[18]
By completing certain quests or by participating in select limited-time events, the player can unlock additional playable characters.[19] Most characters, however, are obtained through the character banners of the game's gacha system, called "Wishes".[20][21] An ingame currency called "Primogems" is required, obtainable through in-app purchases or as gameplay rewards, it is required to pull on the game's banners.[22] A pity system guarantees that the player will receive rare items after a set number of pulls.[23]
Elemental combat
Elements react with each other to produce different effects. Here, Pyro and Electro produce Overloaded, creating an AoE explosion.
Playable characters have control over one of seven natural elements: Anemo (air), Geo (earth), Pyro (fire), Hydro (water), Cryo (ice), Electro (electricity), and Dendro (plants).[24] When these elements react with one another, they produce various effects. For instance, if a Hydro attack hits a target, the enemy will be inflicted with the "Wet" status effect, and if they are hit with a subsequent Cryo attack, these two status effects combine to freeze the opponent, temporarily preventing them from performing any actions.[24]
Each character also has two unique combat abilities: an "Elemental Skill" and an "Elemental Burst". Elemental Skills are attacks with a set cooldown that can be used at any time, while Elemental Bursts are ultimate attacks with an energy cost.[25] These require the player to amass sufficient elemental energy in order to use them.[26][24] Manipulating the game's elements through the Skills and Bursts of a given party's four characters to produce various reactions is a core feature of its gameplay.[27] Certain elemental abilities are also required to solve puzzles within the overworld.[5]
A tabletop-based collectible card game called Genius Invokation TCG was released in the game's Version 3.3 update in December 2022 as an additional optional gamemode.[28][29] The game uses turn-based battles. Equipped with a deck of three characters and 30 supporting cards, players win by knocking down all the opponent's competing character cards. Each round requires a dice roll that forces the player to use their cards within the limitations of their roll.[30] Similar to the main game, elemental reactions are included as a mechanic of the gamemode.[31] Players are able to challenge NPCs, playable characters, and other real players in co-op mode.[32] In-game rewards are granted for participating in Genius Invokation TCG.
After the launch of Genius Invokation TCG, it received positive comments from many critics. Many commentators compared the non standalone card games with Hearthstone, from World of Warcraft, and Gwent from The Witcher 3 and believed that Genius Invokation TCG could help increase Genshin's playerbase.[33][34] Commentators also mentioned that Genius Invokation TCG can help improve the later experience of the game. Siliconera critic Stephanie Liu said that Genius Invokation TCG rekindled her excitement in the early days of the game.[35]Gamersky editor Youming Xingkong said that the Genius Invokation TCG is an attempt to keep players fresh in Genshin Impact and solve the burnout that will occur in long-term operation games.[36] The Youxiputao editor also pointed out that Genius Invokation TCG can "make up for the shortcomings of the game's long-term experience" and "strengthen the relationship between players".[37]
Genshin Impact takes place in the world of Teyvat, composed of seven major nations, each of which is ruled by a different god called an "Archon", tied to a different element and ideal, and governed by a specific faction.[38] The mysterious floating island of Celestia hangs above Teyvat, allegedly home to gods, as well as mortals who have ascended to godhood through great, heroic feats.[39] Underground lie the ruins of Khaenri'ah, a mysterious nation which was destroyed by Celestia 500 years before the main events of the game.[40][41] Unlike the seven nations, Khaenri'ah was not ruled over by a god, and sought to create a civilization led solely by humans.[42]
Irrespective of which nation they hail from, individuals who have great ambitions may be granted a Vision, a magical gemstone that allows them to control a specific element and gives them the potential to ascend to godhood and reside in Celestia.[43][44] Others may achieve elemental manipulation through Delusions, artificial Visions made from the remains of powerful gods which allow their bearers to control elements by feeding off their vitality.[45] Archons, on the other hand, possess a Gnosis, which is a device similar to a Vision that affirms their authority as an Archon and allows them to "resonate" with Celestia.[46] The former are based on characters from The Lesser Key of Solomon.[47]
The protagonists are the Traveler and Paimon, the Traveler's guide and companion. The Traveler and their twin sibling travel across worlds in the universe before being separated in Teyvat, forcing the Traveler to go on a journey to find them.[48] The player may choose to play as either Aether (the brother) or Lumine (the sister), though their account username is used throughout most of the game.
The primary antagonists in the game are the Abyss Order, a legion of monsters made up of corrupted Khaenri'ahns who seek to overthrow the rule of the Archons,[49][50] and the Fatui, a military force and delegation of diplomats from Snezhnaya who pursue an aggressive foreign policy throughout Teyvat.[51][52] The Traveler's lost twin is respected as the leader of the Abyss Order,[53] while the Fatui are led by the Eleven Harbingers, the powerful lieutenants of the Tsaritsa who have been given special authority to carry out her will,[54] resulting in some of them pursue very aggressive actions like La Signora and Dottore, and some pursue peaceful or moderate diplomacy like Arlecchino and Capitano. The Harbingers are based on characters from the commedia dell'arte.[55]
Plot
Aether and Lumine, a pair of twins who travel across different worlds, land in Teyvat. Witnessing the destruction of Khaenri'ah upon their arrival, the two attempt to flee, but they soon find their path blocked by a mysterious god who calls herself the "Sustainer of Heavenly Principles". She separates the twins, sealing the playable character away for five hundred years.[56] When the sealed sibling, now called "The Traveler", wakes up, they meet a small fairy-like being named Paimon, who becomes their companion and travel guide. The two set off on a journey across Teyvat to gather information about their lost twin from each nation's ruling Archon.
The following table only gives a synopsis of each major act in the game's current narrative. Summaries of other story content, such as characters' personal quests or limited-time events, are excluded. The major acts of the story were foreshadowed in a trailer posted to the game's YouTube channel on the day of its release:[38]
Narrative Act
Title
Nation
Prologue
The Outlander Who Caught the Wind
Mondstadt
The Traveler and Paimon arrive in Mondstadt city to find it being terrorized by a dragon called Stormterror. They work together with the Knights of Favonius to resolve the problem. They meet a carefree bard named Venti, and learn that Stormterror – whose real name is Dvalin – is Venti's friend and has been corrupted by the Abyss Order. Venti reveals himself to be Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, and purifies Dvalin with the Traveler. After solving the crisis, Venti and the Traveler are ambushed by La Signora, the Eighth Fatui Harbinger, who steals Venti's Gnosis. After recovering, Venti suggests the Traveler to attend a Ritual of Descension in Liyue as they will have to wait for next year should they miss.
Chapter I
Farewell, Archaic Lord
Liyue
The Traveler and Paimon go to Liyue Harbor to attend a ritual for Rex Lapis, only for him to descend lifeless from the sky. They are assisted by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultantZhongli and the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia, in performing a rite of farewell for the Archon, but Tartaglia betrays them and attempts to steal Rex Lapis's Gnosis, but is stopped by the Traveler. Tartaglia summons the ancient serpent god Osial to attack Liyue, but the adepti and humans successfully defend the city. Later, the Traveler learns that Zhongli is actually Rex Lapis and that the Archon has retired, exchanging his Gnosis with La Signora in an undisclosed contract. He gives useful information about Baal[e] or more commonly, the Raiden Shogun and recommends them to sail to isolated Inazuma as she has issued a Vision Hunt Decree, surmising that his "death" will cause her to advance her plans even further. Soon thereafter, the Traveler and Paimon meet Dainsleif, a mysterious stranger who assists them in investigating the Abyss Order's plot to overthrow Celestia, in Angel's Share of Mondstadt and again in Liyue. The Traveler's lost twin is revealed as the leader of the Abyss Order, but they refuse to reunite. Dainsleif chases after the twin, while the Traveler continues their journey.
Chapter II
Omnipresence Over Mortals
Inazuma
The Traveler and Paimon sails to isolationist nation of Inazuma and learn that its Archon, the Raiden Shogun, has been confiscating Inazumans' Visions. After barely escaping the Shogun's forces, the Traveler and Paimon join a band of separatists on Inazuma's Watatsumi Island before meeting Scaramouche, the Sixth Fatui Harbinger. Though he knocks the Traveler and Paimon unconscious, Yae Miko – the Shogun's familiar – grants him Raiden's Gnosis in exchange for their lives. After recovering, the Traveler returns and duels against La Signora who is executed by the Shogun after being defeated. They then battles and defeats Ei with Miko's help, convincing her to begin to repeal her restrictive policies. Miko then offers helpful information about Scaramouche and that knowledge is managed as a resource in Sumeru, the Traveler and Paimon's next stop. After returning to Liyue, the Traveler reunites with Dainsleif in The Chasm. The Traveler experiences a vision of their twin in Khaenri'ah, feeling torn between joining them and defeating the Abyss Order. Dainsleif tells the Traveler that they must choose between Teyvat or their twin before departing once more.
Chapter III
Truth Amongst the Pages of Purana
Sumeru
The Traveler and Paimon journey to Sumeru in search of Lesser Lord Kusanali, the Dendro Archon, but are unable to speak with her due to her imprisonment by the Akademiya. The Traveler eventually meets her human vessel, Nahida, within a dream, and discovers that the Akademiya's sages have partnered with Dottore, the Second Fatui Harbinger, to overthrow Kusanali and install Scaramouche as an artificial god. With the help of key individuals in Sumeru, the Traveler thwarts the sages' plot and rescues Kusanali. With the help of the Archon, the Traveler defeats Scaramouche and meets Greater Lord Rukkhadevata whom Kusanali has to erase her existence to purify Irminsul. Kusanali then provides valuable information about the Traveler's twin and suggests that they visit Fontaine to meet Focalors, the Archon of the nation. Afterwards, the Traveler runs into Dainsleif before having a vision of their sibling's encounter with a Khaenri'ahn named Chlothar Alberich, the founder of the Abyss Order, as well as with a mysterious "Sinner".
Chapter IV
Masquerade of the Guilty
Fontaine
The Traveler and Paimon travel to Fontaine to meet with Focalors, the Hydro Archon, also known as Lady Furina. They learn of the circulating prophecy that Fontaine would be flooded, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne. The Traveler and Paimon become entangled in a case of serial killings and discover that a mysterious substance known as Primordial Seawater can dissolve Fontainians into water. Amidst the concerns of Primordial Seawater flooding, Furina is revealed to be a cursed human instead of an Archon, split from Focalors' divinity as she worked to overturn the prophecy: a punishment for Egeria, the previous Hydro Archon, who had created humans using the power of Primordial Seawater without the Celestia's permission. Having accumulated enough Indemnitium (power), Focalors sacrifices herself, destroying the Hydro Archon's Divine Throne and thus restoring power to Neuvillette, who saves Fontainians from the prophecy by turning them into true humans, preventing them from being dissolved. After the flood subdues, the Traveler meets Neuvillette who reveals that the Gnosis was the "remains" of the Descender and suggests the Traveler to head to Natlan where "the dragons of Natlan have undergone long years of development and evolution". Afterwards, the Traveler returns to Sumeru and meets Caribert, son of Clothar Alberich, who reveals that the Abyss Order's masterplan, the Loom of Fate, has entered operation.
Chapter V
Incandescent Ode of Resurrection
Natlan
The Traveler and Paimon journey to Natlan in search of the Pyro Archon, where they spot human habitation and find Kachina, who is ditched by her teammates. Together with Kachina, the Traveler and Paimon travel to the outskirts of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame where the Traveler meets the Archon's human vessel, Mavuika. After the pilgrimage, Mualani offers the Traveler and Paimon a tour around "People of the Springs" where they are entangled in a fight against the Abyss. After their victory, the trio return to the stadium and find Kachina is not with the group who completed the mission. Mavuika is unable to revive Kachina and suspends the pilgrimage, gathering the group, including the Traveler, to the Speaker's Chamber. Together with the group and Mualani, the Traveler goes to the Night Kingdom and finds Kachina. While in there, the group fought their way to escape the Kingdom. After returning back to the Speaker's Chamber, they learn that Natlan will be destroyed in less than a year.
Under the advice of Mavuika, the Traveler meets Xilonen, the forge, who suggests to meet Citlati, high priestess of the Mictlan. Later, the Traveler meets Ororon and the Capitano, the First Fatui Harbinger, who reveals his and Mavuika's plan to save Natlan. Meanwhile, the Abyss attacks on several locations throughout Natlan are thwarted. Realising the Capitano's plan would be just as disastrous as using the Gnosis planned by Mavuika, Mavuika, Xilonen and the Traveler infiltrate the ruins where the Capitano actives Source Mechanism and awakes Yohualtecuhtin. He eventually agrees to Mavuika's plan and offers his subordinates for her use, forming temporary alliance with her. Back to the surface, the Abyssal force launches a full-scale invasion of the nation, resulting in huge casualties, and Mavuika, supported by six heroes chosen by the Wayob and Natlanese as well as her allies, defeats the Abyss, forcing them to retreat deep into the depths of Night Kingdom and thus saving the nation from the immediate disaster.
The group gathers at the Weary Inn to celebrate their victory against the Abyssal force. Mavuika talks to the Traveler in private, asking them to accompany the archon to fight the remaining Abyssal force hidden in the Night Kingdom as the Traveler is immune of Abyssal corrosion. She accepts the accompany if the Traveler's Ancient Name is forged as Ode of Resurrection is not applied to those without carrying the Name. The Traveler then travels to "Flower-Feather Clan" and discovers that the warriors who survived in the wildness during the invasion suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Abyssal Corrosion Syndrome, one of symptoms of exposing to Abyss for too long. With the help of the unaffected tribes and Capitano, they manage to recover fully. Afterwards, the Traveler go to the Stadium at Xilonen's invitation to have their Ancient Name forged. With the Ancient Name forged, the Traveler is ready to face the final battle along with Mavuika.
Chapter VI
Everwinter Without Mercy
Snezhnaya
Chapter ???
The Dream Yet to Be Dreamed
Khaenri'ah
Epilogue
The Sea of Flowers at the End
TBA
Development
Genshin Impact began development as early as late January 2017, with an initial team of 120 people, which grew to 400 by the end of that year, and reached 700 by February 2021.[57][58] miHoYo revealed the game in June 2019 at E3 2019.[59][60] The game was developed using the Unity Engine.[61] The game had a development and marketing budget of around $100 million, making it one of the most expensive video games to develop.[62] Between the announcement and release closed beta tests were held, allowing invited players to explore and interact with the open world.[63][64] The game includes voice-overs in four languages, and 15 different languages for text.[65][66][67][t]
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is held in high regard by the development team, and is cited as one of the main inspirations for Genshin Impact.[68] Development was aimed at making the game different and fun from other MMORPGs in terms of its quest and combat systems as well as its random events and mode of exploration.[69] The game was designed to be cross-platform as developing the game for PC and console allowed the developers to raise graphical fidelity for the game, such as rendering realistic shadows.[68]
The overall artistic vision of the game was intended to combine an anime style with more key elements from real-world cultures,[70] and each nation is based on a region of the world:
Fontaine takes inspiration from steampunk and the trends of the Belle Époque, as well as other cultures like that of the Basques and Corsicans. It is also inspired by the geography of the Alps and by the Baroque and Art Deco styles.[78] The name means "fountain" in French.
Natlan is most likely named after the legendary homeland of the Aztecs, Aztlán, and seems inspired by several indigenous cultures, primarily those of Pre-ColumbianLatin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania, though more modern Latin American influences like breakdancing are also present. Unlike the other nations which have a central ruler, Natlan has six tribes ruled by respective chiefs under federation rule, with the Pyro Archon serving as a unifying figure. The names of all six tribes are derived from the Aztec Thirteen Heavens.
Nanatzcayan is likely derived from Ilhuicatl-Nanatzcayan. In the name of the Aztec heaven (also known as Ilhuicatl-Itzapan-Nanatzcayan; "The sky where obsidian stones clash in water"), the "clashing" alludes to the noise preceding hailstorms. The tribe name means "the place where it crashes" in Nahuatl. Many members of the tribe have Mayan names, mainly deriving from the names of deities and historical figures, while some other members have Nahuatl names.
Meztli is possibly named after Meztli, a god or goddess of the moon, who ruled Ilhuicatl-Meztli. Many members of the tribe have Polynesian names.
Huitztlan is likely associated with Quetzalcoatl, who was related to wind. Many members of the tribe have Quechuan names.
Tlalocan is named after the god of rain and thunder, Tlaloc.
The game's primary mythological basis is Gnosticism, particularly the way it understands relationships between humans and their world, and how gods may influence this relationship.[79] The name given to Teyvat's gods, "Archon", is inspired by the related deities from the Gnostic tradition. Although each Archon has a personal name for their "vessel", or human form, and is referred to with a specific title by the citizens of their nation, most gods in the game's story – even those who are not Archons – take the names of demons from the Ars Goetia, the first volume of The Lesser Key of Solomon.[47]
The music team headed by Yu-Peng Chen from HOYO-MiX composed the game's original score, which was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.[80][81][82] The approach to creating the soundtrack is to immerse players within the game, and provide emotional and beautiful melodies.[83] Chen composes the score based on the cultural influences of different regions.[84] For example, in Mondstadt, Chen used woodwind instruments to reflect Mondstadt's association with wind and freedom.[83] In Liyue, Chen used elements of Chinese folk music—traditional instruments, the pentatonic scale, and ancient tonal melodies—with Western romantic harmonies and orchestral arrangements.[85][86]The Divine Damsel of Devastation uses the singing style of Chinese opera.[87] In contrast, the battle themes use polyphony and other composing techniques, as well as mimicking orchestration elements from composers such as Beethoven.[83] Several soundtrack albums featuring music about characters and regions of the game have been released periodically.[88][89][90][91][92]
For his work on the soundtrack Chen was awarded the "Outstanding Artist—Newcomer/Breakthrough" at the 2020 Annual Game Music Awards.[83] In an interview published in April 2021 Chen expressed interest in releasing the soundtracks on CD, as well as hosting concerts in the future.[83] The first concert was held virtually on October 3, 2021, titled "Melodies of an Endless Journey" and featured multiple bands and an orchestra performing various soundtracks from the game.[93][94][95][96] A second virtual concert was held on February 4, 2022, titled "Reflections of Spring" featuring the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra performing soundtracks from the Liyue region.[97][98]
On September 12, 2023, Yu-Peng Chen announced on Bilibili that he was leaving miHoYo and the HOYO-MiX team, and was no longer working on the soundtrack.[99][100]
Release
The worldwide release, September 28, 2020, was announced on August 17 for PC and mobile platforms, and on August 28, it was revealed that the PlayStation 4 version was released on the same date.[101][102] The game was made available on PlayStation 5 through backwards compatibility on November 11.[103][1] On April 28, 2021, the PlayStation 5 version of the game was released, featuring enhanced visuals, improved loading times, and DualSense controller support.[104][105][106] A Nintendo Switch version is in development, though no release window has been announced.[107][108]
Prior to its release the game had over 10 million registrations, with over half of that from outside China.[109][110] According to some, the game was the biggest international release of any Chinese video game.[62][111] In the lead up to release, the game won the Tokyo Game Show Media Awards 2020 public poll, ranking first among 14 other games.[112]
Updates
Shortly after the game's launch, miHoYo announced a schedule for content updates over the following months.[113] As a long-term project, much of the game remains to be finished. On release, only two of the seven major regions intended for the game were released, and miHoYo anticipates it will take several years for the game's story to be completed.[114] In a presentation given in February 2021, miHoYo former president Cai Haoyu estimated that ongoing development for the game would cost $200 million per year.[58]
Updates are implemented into the game every six weeks[113] and add more characters, events and new areas of Teyvat;[115][1][116] each update comes with character banners which last around three weeks until the next update.[117] Character banners buff the chance of getting a character, but still with the chance of getting a standard character, also known as a 50/50; if a 50/50 is lost, during the next banner, the buffed character will be guaranteed.[118] Major updates ("Versions"), adding new major regions, are implemented annually. As of version 5.2 (November 2024),[119] five major versions with an additional 32 updates have been released.[120] Each update includes compensation in the form of 60 primogems – the currency used for the game's gacha system – for each hour the server is offline.[121][122]
When the game was first unveiled at the ChinaJoy convention in 2019, it was immediately and initially met with criticisms claiming that the game had similarities to Breath of the Wild.[133]Zelda fans at the convention showed explicit gestures towards the Sony booth, with one individual destroying their PlayStation 4 console in protest.[134] Kamui Ye of IGN China highlighted similarities between the two games such as the overworld, art style and game mechanics while also emphasizing Genshin Impact's unique identity and features.[135]
Post-release
Genshin Impact received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregatorMetacritic.[124][125] The open world of Teyvat drew praise; IGN's Travis Northup described Teyvat as "a world that is absolutely bursting at the seams with possibilities", and Hardcore Gamer's Jordan Helm described it as "one big environmental puzzle".[27][128]Liyue in particular was picked out by Kotaku's Sisi Jiang for being "one of the most exciting regions that I've visited in a video game in years", before continuing on to discuss how the region "shows an idealized portrayal of Chinese social relations that exists in localized pockets".[136]Game Informer characterized the game as an incredible experience, noting that "[t]he gameplay loop of collection, upgrading, and customization is captivating and compelling".[127] The execution of gameplay impressed Pocket Gamer, and Destructoid's Chris Carter called the combat system "one of the most interesting things" about the game.[5][131]NPR remarked that the game had an abundance of content despite being free to play.[137] Gene Park of The Washington Post lauded the game as revolutionary for the genre, having players "imagine a mobile gaming world with titles with quality that matches the industry's top-tier experiences".[138]Polygon also praised the game for differentiating itself from its peers, heralding its arrival as mobile games become more mainstream and appealing to "an audience outside the typical mobile gaming demographic" and "new players without the hardware to play more conventional and resource-hogging RPGs".[139]
Conversely, Genshin Impact has been criticized for its endgame content, its gacha monetization system, and its self-limitations. Ari Nortis of Kotaku, for instance, wrote that although the game provides a solid experience it also has "some of the typical bullshit that comes along with a zero-dollar price tag" and that the gacha system can lead to a "cycle that belongs more in Reno, Nevada, than a magical fantasy land of gods and wizards".[140]GameSpot echoed this criticism, noting that the game is "hampered a bit by the restrictions its free-to-play model imposes".[10]PC Gamer said that playing the endgame becomes "a slog", and that the resin system "feels so unnecessary".[141] Warning players about how predatory the monetization is, The Washington Post added that such a well-designed game from an aesthetic standpoint can lead some to gamble with the game's gacha system.[21]
When the Genius Invokation TCG minigame launched, it received positive comments from critics. CBR compared the non standalone card games with Hearthstone from World of Warcraft and Gwent from The Witcher 3, and believed that it could expand the game's audience.[142][143] Siliconera critic Stephanie Liu said that the minigame rekindled her excitement in the early days of the game.[144]Gamersky editor Youming Xingkong said that the Genius Invokation TCG is an attempt to keep players fresh in Genshin Impact and solve the burnout that will occur in long-term operation games.[36] The Youxiputao editor also pointed out that Genius Invokation TCG can "make up for the shortcomings of the game's long-term experience" and "strengthen the relationship between players".[37] Prior to launch, fans had already made a Genius Invokation TCGmod on Tabletop Simulator.[145][146]
Security concerns
The game has been criticized for initially lacking security features ubiquitous on other sites, like two-factor authentication. On October 19, 2020, a vulnerable security flaw was discovered that exposed the phone number linked to a player's account during the password recovery attempt on the miHoYo website. However, the issue was not rectified until November 9, 2020.[147] miHoYo issued notices following the wake of security exposures, informing players to be careful about sharing account details and to bind their account to their email address and phone number.[148][149] In May 2021, two-factor authentication was added whenever the player signs in on a new device.[150][151]
Similar to other online games, the game uses an anti-cheat system implemented by a kernel driver. The driver is used to prevent other programs from performing code injection, memory inspection, and other process manipulation.[152][153] Shortly after release, players discovered that the game's kernel-based anti-cheat system would remain active after the game was closed or uninstalled,[154] which raised concerns that the game had installed spyware.[153] Some Japanese players using iOS devices also observed that the game read the contents of players' clipboards while starting up.[155] miHoYo announced that both issues were the result of coding errors and have been addressed and fixed.[156]
Allegations of censorship
On October 6, 2020, journalist and Twitch streamer Kazuma Hashimoto published a video on social media site Twitter (currently X) demonstrating how political terms controversial in China such as "Hong Kong" and "Taiwan" are censored within the in-game chat.[157] As the developer of the game, miHoYo, is based in China, which they are subject to China's censorship policy, which includes complying with a relatively large list of banned words that cannot be used in game or via chat.[157] Other terms not related to Chinese politics are banned as well, such as "Putin", "Hitler", and "Stalin".[158] Extending outside of purely political wordage, innocuous terms such as "enemies" and "words" were also being censored.[159]
In 2021, the Chinese government stated that video game companies should avoid "obscene and violent content and those breeding unhealthy tendencies, such as money-worship and effeminacy."[160]: 261 In a September 2021, over 200 Chinese video game companies signed a self-censorship pact, agreeing to remove content that would promote the "wrong set of values" and fall foul of Chinese government regulations on gaming.[161] In early 2022, HoYoverse released an update that provided new outfits for many playable characters that were more modest than the original designs.[160]: 260–261 These alternate outfits were implemented as an additional option for global servers, but were mandatory in China.[160]: 261 In response, some media outlets discussed whether this was an instance of the game of censoring its content.[162][163][164][165]
Representation and diversity concerns
In April 2021, some called for a boycott of the game over claims of bigotry in the game's content.[166][167] Others pointed out how the only playable characters with dark skin at the time were described as "exotic" or "scary" in the game.[167] On August 24, 2022, the game released the 3.0 version, introducing the Sumeru region. Though the region is perceived to take inspiration from the cultures of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, many of its playable characters and NPCs were depicted as white-skinned, prompting accusations of whitewashing and colorism.[168]
In early March 2023, HoYoverse was criticized for the release of the Sumeru character Dehya, as a portion of the game's fanbase argued that her abilities were underpowered and dysfunctional.[169][170] As one of the few dark-skinned playable characters in the game, some fans suggested that her poor skillset might be due to colorism, given similar accusations made against HoYoverse in the past.[171]
In July 2024, HoYoverse released a trailer of the nation of Natlan, which is inspired by pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures, Africa, and Polynesia. The character designs received criticism for perceived colorism and cultural appropriation, as the majority of the characters are depicted with white skin. Among those criticizing included voice actors Khoi Dao, Zeno Robinson, Jenny Yokobori, Alejandro Saab, Valeria Rodriguez, Allegra Clark, and Anne Yatco, who respectively voice the characters Albedo, Sethos, Yoimiya, Cyno, Sucrose, Beidou, and the Raiden Shogun in the game.[172][173]
Accusations against Li Yuantao and Elliot Gindi
In October 2021, voice actor Li Yuantao, who was the Chinese voice of the character Oz, was accused of having multiple affairs and cheating on his wife. He also used his fame to manipulate multiple girls into having sexual relationships with him, some of whom were minors. The game's publisher, HoYoverse, cut ties with him and removed his character from the game's rate up system for a year.[174][175][176]
In February 2023, allegations of abusive behavior and sexual exploitation of minors were made against Elliot Gindi, the English voice actor of the character Tighnari. Gindi apologized for some of his actions but denied the allegations of preying on minors. He was widely condemned by the Genshin Impact community and fellow voice actors, with the voice director of the game, Chris Faiella, seeking to take action against Gindi.[177][178] HoYoverse later fired Gindi for "breach of contract",[179] and replaced him with Zachary Gordon.[180]
Commercial performance
On mobile platforms, Genshin Impact saw 23 million downloads and grossed approximately $60 million within a week after its release.[139][111] Within two weeks, that figure rose to over $100 million, recouping its development and marketing budget.[181] Its strong performance continued through October 2020 as the game was the highest-grossing game worldwide during that month.[182] Its largest revenue came from China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, with 69 percent of mobile revenue coming from outside China itself during this time period specifically.[183][184] In the United States, its release was the largest launch of a role-playing game on mobile in history.[184]
On mobile platforms, Genshin Impact had grossed over $393 million within two months after release and over $1 billion by the end of March 2021, the third highest revenue from a mobile game during that time frame after Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile, making it one of the highest grossing mobile games of all time and the fastest game to reach that milestone on Google Play and the App Store.[185] By October 2021, the game had grossed $2 billion.[186][187] It became the world's third highest-grossing mobile game of 2021,[188] with $1.9 billion grossed that year.[189] By December 2021, the game had grossed $3 billion on iOS and Android devices worldwide. The game's largest mobile market is China with 30% of revenue, followed by Japan with 23% and then the United States with 20% of revenue.[190] Based on a December 16, 2023 survey conducted by Nikkei Entertainment, the fanbase of Genshin Impact within Japan has an average age of 27 years, and a male-to-female ratio that skews 60:40.[191] But according to another December 2023 survey, Japan and other Asian countries have a relatively more male skew in their player base compared to the West and it actually has a 55:45 male to female ratio globally.[192][193]
Across all platforms (including mobile, console and computer platforms), the game is estimated to have grossed nearly $3.7 billion in its first year by September 2021, the highest ever first-year launch revenue for any video game.[194] In that same month, the Raiden Shogun's debut banner earned $33,020,905 among iOS users in China alone.[195][better source needed] The mobile version grossed a further $567 million between January and March 2022,[196] adding up to more than $4.267 billion grossed as of March 2022[update].
The game's commercial success has often been attributed to its visual design and use of Chinese cultural references.[160]: 261
A Juneyao Airlines Boeing 787-9 featuring the Genshin Impact livery, in collaboration with miHoYo
According to Mobile Games Insider, within two years of its launch, Genshin Impact had collaborated with food and beverage brands 12 times and with tourist destinations 11 times,[219] including partnerships with Alipay, Heytea, Pizza Hut, Mengniu Suibian, Amap, Redmi, Nippon Paint, KFC, OnePlus, and others.[220] In March 2021, Genshin Impact partnered with KFC in Mainland China for a cross-promotional event.[221][222] On March 6, miHoYo officially announced the collaboration with KFC, launching Genshin Impact-themed stores and offering themed postcards and badges with meals.[223][224][225] The event was wildly popular, with many fans cosplaying as game characters while visiting themed stores.[226] However, on March 13, KFC announced on Sina Weibo that due to overcrowding in themed stores in Shanghai and Hangzhou, violating pandemic regulations, the events in those cities would be canceled.[227] The event’s slogan, "Meet in another world, enjoy the delicacies," became a new Internet meme, and discussions of the collaboration spread beyond ACG fans to include Reddit users, as well as both gaming and non-gaming media.[228][229] Additionally, according to incomplete statistics from Xinmin Evening News, Genshin Impact partnered with at least 14 brands, including Lawson, Alipay, and Amap in the second half of 2022.[230]
On September 20, 2023, to commemorate the third anniversary of Genshin Impact, QQ Music and WeSing held a celebratory event for Genshin Impact players.[231] On November 3, 2023, Genshin Impact announced a renewed collaboration with Juneyao Airlines, unveiling the world’s first Genshin Impact-themed livery on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, called "Genshin" (registration number B-209R), which began operating domestic and international routes for Juneyao Airlines on November 8. According to the partnership plan, the livery will remain for at least one year, and Genshin Impact merchandise such as a 1:150 scale model of the "Genshin" Boeing 787, a third-anniversary blanket, and passport covers will be available for purchase.[232][233]
Outside Mainland China, on July 29, 2021, Japan's Sweets Paradise announced that starting from September 1, all of its cafes in Japan would become Genshin Impact collaboration cafes for one month. In addition to offering food-themed around Mondstadt from the game, they also released exclusive pre-order merchandise.[234] From December 3 to 14, 2021, miHoYo hosted the HOYO-FEST event in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. During the event, local partner restaurants offered Genshin Impact-themed meals and merchandise.[235]
Other media
Prior to the release of the game, miHoYo released a manga on their websites detailing the background of its characters and the fictional world of Teyvat.[35] It is translated into various different languages though only 13[236][237] of its 16[35] chapters were officially released in certain languages. Various other artwork and short comics are also released on Genshin Impact's official X accounts.[238]
Animated videos teasing its story and characters[239][240] are regularly released on Genshin Impact's official YouTube channels.[241]
In September 2022, miHoYo announced a partnership with Japanese animation studio Ufotable to develop a speculated anime adaptation based on the game, accompanied by a concept trailer.[242][243]
Other future plans include a line of comics, toys, and a possible movie.[244][245]
Notes
^Published in China by miHoYo, in Vietnam by Funtap, and in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan by Nijigen Games
^Developed and published by miHoYo, with publishing outside mainland China under Cognosphere, d/b/a HoYoverse.
^ abcAt the end of Farewell, Archaic Lord, the Traveler learns that Morax staged his own death, opting instead to retire from archonship and live as the mortal Zhongli.
^ abBeelzebul, although not in the Ars Goetia, is occasionally an alternate name for the Goetic demon Baal. Additionally, Beelzebul appears to be Ei's equivalent of other gods' Goetic names. As such, Beelzebul will be treated as Ei's Goetic name.
^The Alias, Raiden Shogun, was applied to Makoto, the previous Electro Archon (ascended from around 2000 to 500 years before the main event of the game), and then Ei (current). The puppet (The Shogun) was created by Ei to govern Inazuma.
^Omnipresence Over Mortals reveals that the spirit of Beelzebul lives within the body of the Raiden Shogun, and that the Shogun is essentially a puppet with its own consciousness. The two coexist in one body and act together.
^Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises reveals that Lesser Lord Kusanali (Buer) was created from purest Irminsul branch by Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, the previous Dendro Archon, and ascended 500 years before the main events of the game, making her the youngest and newest Archon to ascend. After the Traveler rescues Kusanali from imprison and then defeats Scaramouche, one of Eleven Harbingers, with help of Kusanali, the group enters last memory of Rukkhadevata where Kusanali removes the predecessor from Irminsul to restore it. This removes all traces of Rukkhadevata having existed on Teyvat. As a consequence of removal of Rukkhadevata's existence from Irminsul, Kusanali is now believed to have always been the Dendro Archon since around 2000 years before the events of the game.
^ abcMasquerade of the Guilty reveals that after ascending to the position of Archon 500 years before the main events of the game, Focalors separated her divinity from her vessel, Furina, resulting in two individuals. Focalors eventually sacrifices herself to destroy the seat of the Hydro Archon, leaving Furina to live as a normal human. The Hydro Sovereign, Neuvillette, having restored his lost power, succeeds Focalors' authority, ruling the whole nation.
^Neuvillette retains his common alias as the Iudex of Fontaine after taking on the responsibilities of the Hydro Archon, following Focalors's sacrifice.
^The ideal retains even after Focalors' sacrifice as Neuvillette was invited to take the role of Iudex 400 years before the main events of the game and has remained since.
^ abcIncandescent Ode of Resurrection reveals that the Pyro Archon title and seat are passed on from one mortal to another through the Pilgrimage as a selection of who is deemed worthy to be Pyro Archon, with Mavuika being the current Pyro Archon since 500 years before the main event of the game. Despite having the seat and divinity like other Archons, they still age normally until retirement for the next selection begins. In case of Mavuika, her life depends on the Scared Flame, meaning she lives as long as the Sacred Flame keeps burning.
^Kachina states that Mavuika "achieved an overwhelming victory" in a pilgrimage where she became Archon, despite not knowing that she was Archon 500 years prior.
^Black Stone Under a White Stone reveals that Mavuika ascended as Pryo Archon during the Cataclysm (around 500 years before the main events of the game) and placed her life in the Scared Flame to be resurrected 500 years ago to live this day. Unlike normal human who lives as per normal, Mavuika, being Pryo Archon, lives for 500 years and still counting as her life depends on burning Scared Flame, meaning she lives as long as the Scared Flame keeps burning.
^In Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview: Travail, Dainsleif suggests the Tsaritsa's ideal was originally Love. However, he refers to it in past tense, while Zhongli avoids speaking about it during Downtown, suggesting it may have changed during the Cataclysm.
^Based on Barbatos's description of her in Ending Note.
^Destroyed by Heavenly Principles (Celestia) during the Cataclysm, leaving it as an uninhabitable ruin. However, some Khaenri'ahns, especially pure-blooded ones like Dainsleif, are cursed with immortal, preventing them from aging but still suffering from apparent erosion, thus wandering around Teyvat to this day.
^Khaenri'ah was ruled by Crimson Moon Dynasty, Eclipse Dynasty and then after the collapse of the latter dynasty during the Cataclysm, Alberich Clan as regent rule before its destruction.
^Voiceover languages include Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean. Text languages include Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
^"《原神》测试版试玩：国产手游离3A最近的一次" [Genshin Impact beta test play: the closest domestic mobile games to 3A]. shouyou.gamersky.com (in Chinese). June 21, 2019. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
^ abcNorthup, Travis (October 14, 2020). "Genshin Impact Review". IGN. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
^ ab超级无敌的栗子. "《原神》更新了，这下牌佬不得不原了". Gamersky (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
^ abYouxiputao; Hui Xinge (December 21, 2022). ""米哈游想再造一款《炉石传说》？"". Youxiputao (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
miHoYo Comic (w, a). "Songs of the Wind"Genshin Impact, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 48 (November 23, 2018). Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved on April 6, 2022.
^miHoYo (April 12, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.4 ed.). Scene: A Herald Without Adherents. Level/area: We Will Be Reunited. Dainsleif: '500 years ago, the gods descended upon the world and brought desolation to Khaenri'ah.'
^miHoYo (April 12, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.4 ed.). Scene: Albedo's Story, 4. 'Khaenri'ah was an underground realm, and its natural fauna were few indeed.'
^miHoYo (April 12, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.4 ed.). Scene: A Herald Without Adherents. Level/area: We Will Be Reunited. Dainsleif: 'Khaenri'ah was a nation without a god – not because it had a god that died or abandoned them, but because it never had a god to begin with. It was a powerful nation, built purely by humans, an unprecedented flourishing and glorious civilization – it was the pride of humankind..'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: 'As you know, Visions are external magical foci that only a small minority of people possess. They use these Visions to channel elemental power.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: 'As I said before, Vision wielders are known as allogenes and may ascend to Celestia.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (2.1 ed.). Scene: Those Who Yearn for the Gods' Gaze. Level/area: Omnipresence Over Mortals. Teppei: 'So... what's the difference between a Delusion and a Vision?' Traveler: 'A Delusion drains the user's life force.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: 'A Gnosis is a higher-order nexus of elemental manipulation and is emblematic of an archon's status as one of The Seven.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: A Very Volatile Treasure. Level/area: True Treasure. Paimon: 'Hey, come on now... Paimon already told you that the Abyss Mages are the bad guys... And actually, they're the worst kind of bad guys you can imagine. They don't just hate the good guys, they hate all people... Their enemy is... humanity itself.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: '...I see. So, the Abyss Order has a Prince/Princess who orchestrated the plan to corrupt Dvalin?'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Shadow over Mondstadt. Level/area: For a Tomorrow Without Tears. Jean: 'Those people in strange uniforms... are Fatui. They're here as delegates from Snezhnaya.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: 'She and the rest of the harbingers have been given god-like executive authority by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, and with it, strength surpassing that of other mortals.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Ending Note. Level/area: Song of the Dragon and Freedom. Venti: 'She and the rest of the harbingers have been given god-like executive authority by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, and with it, strength surpassing that of other mortals.'
^miHoYo (September 28, 2020). 原神 [Genshin Impact] (1.0 ed.). Scene: Opening Cutscene. "Paimon: 'So... What you're trying to say is that you fell here from another world? But when you wanted to leave and go onto the next world, your path was blocked by some unknown god?' Unknown god: 'Outlanders, your journey ends here.' Lumine: 'Who are you!?' Unknown god: 'The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. The arrogration of mankind ends now.' (if Aether was selected) Aether: 'Lumine!' (if Lumine was selected) Lumine: 'Aether!'"
^"原神制作组致玩家的一封信" [A letter from the Genshin Impact production team to the players]. ys.mihoyo.com (in Chinese). June 25, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021. 原神项目最早尝试于2017年1月底立项 [The Genshin Impact project was first attempted to be established at the end of January 2017]
^Nakao, Seigo (1997). Random House Japanese-English English-Japanese Dictionary. New York City, NY: Random House. p. 311. ISBN9780679780014.
^"Teyvat § Sumeru". hoyoverse.com. miHoYo. Retrieved December 6, 2022. [Sumeru is] a fantastical nation of both lush rainforest and barren desert, where countless fruits of wisdom grow and are buried.
^ abHelm, Jordan (October 6, 2020). "Review: Genshin Impact". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
^Dai Hema (December 14, 2023). "失业炉石主播，在《原神》七圣召唤找到第二春". Youxi Putao (in Chinese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
^ abcdEyman, Douglas; Eyman, Douglas; Sun, Hongmei (2024). "Translation and Chinese Culture in Video Games". In Guo, Li; Eyman, Douglas; Sun, Hongmei (eds.). Games & Play in Chinese & Sinophone Cultures. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press. ISBN9780295752402.
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