Genshin Impactis an upcoming gacha-based free-to-play RPG that is in development by Chinese gaming studio miHoYo. During the game’s initial announcement in 2019, the game stirred up some controversy after players started calling it out for itssimilarities to Nintendo’sThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Of course, looking at the trailer alone, it’s difficult to ignore the similarities between the two games.
However, despite the likeness withBreath of the Wild,especially in the visuals department,Genshin Impactstill features unique characters and different mechanics, making it a unique game in its own right. Now, for those who are interested in picking upGenshin Impactonce it releases next week, here is a breakdown of everything players should know before purchasing.
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It’s More Than Just a Breath of the Wild Clone
InGenshin Impact,players find themselves transported to the world of Teyvat, where they take the role of the Traveler who arrives in Teyvat in search of their lost sibling. Throughout the game, players will be able to control several other characters, each of which wields unique abilities and charming personalities. The main goals inGenshin Impactare undertaking quests,exploring the vast open-world of Teyvat, and uncovering the truth about the world’s primordial gods.
It is worth remembering that the only similarity ofGenshin ImpactwithBreath of the Wildis the overall design of the open-world environment. The story, its characters, and most importantly, its gameplay mechanics are vastly different from Nintendo’s hit game. There are a total of24 playable characters in the game, and each character features two unique combat skills: a normal and a special skill. Similar to other titles in the genre, the normal skill can be used any time except during cooldown periods, while the special skill would require players to amass sufficient elemental energy to use.
Additionally, each of the characters would have control ofone of seven natural elements in the game’s world. These elements are Cyro, Dendro, Pyro, Hydro, Anemo, Electro, and Geo. Another feature inGenshin Impactthat was probably inspired byBreath of the Wildis cooking. In the game, players are able to gather resources and whip up some dishes via cooking. These dishes could help players regenerate a character’s health, while specific recipes could also boos attack or defensive abilities.
Pricing, Release Date, and Pre-Order Bonuses
Genshin Impactis slated to release on September 28, for PC, Mobile, and PS4, with a Switch launch scheduled in the future. Players who are interested in checking outGenshin Impactonce it releases next week would be happy to know that the game is a free-to-play-title, which means that players can simply download it on digital storefronts and be transported to the world of Teyvat. However,players can also purchase aGenshin Impactstarter pack, which is exclusive on the PS4 for $9.99.
The starter pack would provide players the following items:
Additionally, players who will pre-order the starter pack will receive the following bonuses:
Of course, it is worth remembering that purchasing the starter bundle is not a requirement for players to enjoyeverything thatGenshin Impact has to offer. However, a little boost won’t hurt, especially to those who are not so familiar with open-world RPG’s likeGenshin Impact.
Genshin Impactis scheduled to launch on July 31, 2025, for Mobile, PC, and PS4. A Switch version is currently in development.
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