Genshin Impact, developed by China’s HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo), is an open-world Role-Playing Game that captivated players in the USA within no time after its September 2020 release. The game’s immense popularity in the US comes from its blend of vast, beautifully designed landscapes, rich character development, and an immersive storyline. The Gacha mechanics in the game capture the attention of the American players, which allows them to collect unique characters and gear, adding to its replay value. Creating a game like Genshin Impact is complex, involving detailed world-building, high-quality graphics, and engaging gameplay that appeals to Western audiences.
Games similar to Genshin Impact are hard to find because almost all the features of an open-world game are incorporated into the game. Whether it’s the expansive world, rich elemental systems, the ability to switch between multiple characters, or the compelling story, the developers have worked intricately to design the game.
Table of Contents
Only a few online games like Genshin Impact can match its intricately designed environment. The game’s performance, optimization, and game mechanics stand apart from other open-world RPG games like Genshin Impact. Players take the role of ‘Traveler’ in the world of ‘Teyvat’ to find their lost sibling. Given its anime-style graphics, Genshin Impact is highly praised in Japan and USA.
Certain features define the similarity between different games and the below-defined features will help us in understanding whether a game is similar to Genshin Impact or not.
1. Open-world: Games similar to Genshin Impact feature an open-world, meaning players have the option to roam freely in the game, interacting with the elements of the game.
2. Elemental Systems: best Games similar to Genshin Impact introduce elements that engage with the player in combats.
3. Character Switching: As the name suggests, online games similar to Genshin Impact allow access to different in-game characters.
4. Rich Storytelling: The game should have a compelling narrative that keeps the gamers connected to the game.
5. Gacha Mechanics: Games allow players to acquire items and characters in the game.
Keeping the above pointers in mind, we’ll list the 13 best games similar to Genshin Impact in the US and other countries.
Honkai Impact 3rd tops the list of games like Genshin Impact probably because both games are developed by the same studio, i.e., miHoYo. The game draws inspiration from a post-apocalyptic world where Valkyries are being controlled by the players. Players use Valkyries to conquer Honkai threats. The eye-pleasing visual is a factor that makes this game similar to Genshin Impact.
A big leap in open-world gaming, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers one of the biggest worlds to explore. The game provides an unmatched exploration clubbed with combats and quests. You play the character of Link and your archenemy is Calamity Ganon. Players who enjoy games like Genshin Impact tend to appreciate this game because of its rich game mechanics, although it does not have a Gacha system.
A JRPG (Japan Role-playing Game) game, Tales of Arise’s selling feature is the depth of its storytelling. Being a game produced by a Japanese studio, you can expect a world-class animation. Set in Dahana, players can mingle with party members along with fighting enemies. The experience a player gets while playing Tales of Arise is similar to that of Genshin Impact like games, particularly in terms of its rich storytelling and RPG elements.
An action-adventure game similar to Genshin Impact, Immortals Fenyx Rising draws its inspiration from Greek mythology. Using a satirical tone, the game’s main character Fenyx’s job is to save the Greek Gods. The similarity between Immortals Fenyx Rising and Genshin Impact lies in its combat style, which incorporates elemental features.
Tower of Fantasy is a gacha-driven MMORPG game that features hack-and-slash combat mechanics. The game has been compared to Genshin Impact since its release but features several distinctions from Genshin. While the genre and mechanics may be similar, Tower of Fantasy has different combat mechanics.
The game allows players to create their own characters and then unlock new characters called Simulacrum. While Genshin Impact focuses more on swapping characters and chaining combos, TOF focuses on weapons, allowing up to three items to be equipped at the same time.
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PS4, PS5
Publisher: Hotta Studio
Launched: August 11, 2022
Another JRPG, Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, developed by Level-5 was rolled out in 2018. It was a sequel to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. The fantasy adventure game for anime fans boasts a beautiful story where a young kid named Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum gets debarred from his throne and strives to build a kingdom for himself.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, and Windows.
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Launched: March 22, 2018
A popular RPG game, Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris is based on the anime of the same name. The game’s environment displays an Underworld setting where players go on an adventurous quest being in the character of Kirito. This game, similar to Genshin Impact, was released in 2020 and is one of the best alternatives to Genshin Impact.
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Launched: July 9, 2020
Bandai Namco, a Japanese video game development company headquartered in Minato, is well-known for its high-quality video games. The company is set to release an open-world game, Blue Protocol, that is expected to be another masterpiece developed by the game. The game falls under the category of anime games like Genshin Impact, as its graphics resemble the anime style.
Platforms: Windows, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Launched: June 14, 2023
The game was launched for Nintendo Switch in 2017, where players roam the world Alrest and interact with Titans. Players take up the role of Rex in the game who has a partner in the game called Pyra. Rex and Pyra’s characters’ job is to locate Elysium, a mythical paradise. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 incorporates ‘blades’ in its gameplay, an enhanced gameplay mechanism where characters can customize different blades with distinct powers. The enhanced gameplay mechanism of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 secures its place among games like Genshin Impact.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Nintendo
Launched: December 1, 2017
Developed by a South Korean game development company, Black Desert Online was initially released regionally only, and later around the world. The player’s ability to perform chores like fishing, cooking, farming, and trading gives a real-life-like feel, which gained the game a huge base around the world. It is a game similar to Genshin Impact if we compare features like open-world design, unique storyline, and elemental interaction.
Platforms: PS4, Windows, Android, Xbox One, GeForce Now
Publisher: Pearl Abyss
Launched: December 2014
Admire fantasies? Dragalia Lost is an action RPG that was developed specifically for mobile users. If you are looking for mobile games like Genshin Impact, Dragalia Lost will not disappoint you You will behold dragons in the game, moreover, heavy customization of characters is also possible inside the game.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Publisher: Nintendo
Launched: September 27, 2018
Developed by Kuro Games, Wuthering Waves was in its testing phase for over a year. Hence, users had good expectations from the game, and fortunately, it did not disappoint the gamers. An open-world Gacha game like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves can be played on a PC and a smartphone. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it resembles Genshin Impact for its vast open-world exploration and character building. The protagonist, Rover, fights with different kinds of mysterious beings.
Platforms: PS5, Windows, Android, iOS, GeForce Now
Publisher: Kuro Games
Launched: May 22, 2024
Some people might disagree and would not compare Sonic Frontiers to Genshin Impact, however, that is not the case. The game shares similarities with Genshin Impact as it features an open-world setup where Sonic has a stamina gauge, a skill tree, and a day-night cycle. Sonic has the ability to climb, navigate using a system to reach objectives, and complete puzzles that uncover new areas, resembling the missions in Genshin Impact.
It’s a game set in another world as the protagonist gets sucked into a wormhole and lands in an alien world called Starfall Islands.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Publisher: SEGA
Launched: November 8, 2022
Persona 5 has a strong plot where the story revolves around a high school student under the alias Joker. The protagonist gets accused of violence and spends time on probation, after this event he forms a group of vigilantes called Phantom Thieves of Hearts. The gameplay mechanics have a unique touch where you get inside the metaverse in the game and remove malicious desires from other people’s subconscious. A completely unorthodox storyline where missions allow players to raid dungeons created by corrupted hearts of human beings.
Platforms: PS4, Windows, Switch
Publisher: P-Studio
Launched: February 3, 2021
Developed by HoYoverse, Honkai: Star Rail is another gacha game like Genshin Impact. It is the sequel to Honkai Impact 3rd and shares some common characteristics with Genshin. The players play as the Traveler, a being with a spaceship and crew. The game is split across various planets each with its own ecosystem, missions, and enemies.
While both games use the same gacha system to unlock characters, Star Rail focuses more on building a dynamic team that can face different types of enemies. One distinction is that Honkai: Star Rail uses a turn-based battle system that is quite flashy.
Platforms: PS5, Windows, Android, iOS.
Publisher: HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo)
Launched: April 26, 2023
Zenless: Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s newest RPG that got hyped up before its release. It is a perfect alternative for Genshin Impact fans with visually appealing character designs and immersive gameplay. The game is set in the world of New Eridu where portals of unknown origin are opening up randomly, forcing Agents to enter and eliminate any potential threats. You play as a Proxy who directs the team of Agents as they explore the portals.
When it comes to similarities, this popular game like Genshin Impact also uses gacha mechanics, unlockable characters, and creating a balanced party. Moreover, the Agents are also divided into various classes. The combat is very fast-paced and even flashier than Genshin Impact.
Platforms: PS5, Windows, Android, iOS.
Publisher: HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo)
Launched: July 4, 2024
Players who have experienced games like Genshin Impact have high expectations when they start another open-world game because of Genshin Impact’s high benchmark. However, the above-mentioned games can give you a similar experience if not the exact feel. The gaming industry continues to reach new heights as more games are released. Black Myth: Wukong and Blue Protocol are expected to further elevate the gaming experience.
If you want to develop an open-world game resembling Genshin Impact, BR Softech, a prominent name in the game development industry, can help you launch your ideal open-world game.
Ans. Yes, you can install and run the game for free on your device. However, if you wish to purchase in-game assets you will have to spend bucks.
Ans. Yes, Genshin Impact is a cross-platform game. You can play it on your mobile devices. However, not all best games similar to Genshin Impact provide cross-platform functionality.
Ans. The developers of Genshin Impact usually roll out updates every 5-6 weeks. Updates feature new characters and events.
Ans. Apart from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the above titles are free-to-play and do not require payment to start
Ans. Honkai Impact 3rd resembles Genshin Impact the most considering both the games’ art styles resembling the most. Also, both games were developed by the same studio, hence, they are influenced by each other.
Ans. Various platforms like PC, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo, Android, iOS, and more support gacha games like Genshin Impact. It is a cross-platform game that is available across multiple platforms.
Ans. Since Genshin Impact like games feature multiplayer and real-time battle systems, it is not possible to play them online. While Genshin does not offer offline play, you may be able to play one or two of the alternatives without an internet connection.
Ans. Some upcoming games like Genshin Impact include Project Mugen which is expected to release in early 2025, Arknights: Endfield, which is expected to release in 2025, and Azur Promilia expected for a 2025 release.
