Games like Genshin Impact

One of the biggest open-world RPGs of 2020 was Genshin Impact, a project with tons of playable characters and gacha-inspired elements to unlock new ones.

Players have been exploring the colorful and exciting world of Teyvat for several months now, and many of them will want to try something similar. For this occasion, we have compiled a selection of the top 10 games similar to Genshin Impact!

↑ 10. NieR: Automata

• Release date: February 23, 2017
• Platforms: PC, PS4, X-One
• For just one

NieR: Automata takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, and the labyrinthine story requires multiple playthroughs, so the game can feel quite challenging. However, fans of Genshin Impact will find a lot to enjoy in this RPG, which centers around a group of YoRHa androids battling a robot army.

Combat in NieR: Automata is fast-paced and action-packed, with an emphasis on timing and positioning. The style of this slasher is darker than Genshin Impact's colorful characters, but both games share a keen flair for stylish character and environment design. The swordswoman Noelle can be cited as proof - some of the girl's animations exactly repeat the movements of 2B from NieR: Automata.

↑ 9. Horizon Zero Dawn

• Release date: February 28, 2017
• Platforms: PC, PS4
• For just one

One of the recent franchises to take the gaming world by storm is the amazing and creative Horizon Zero Dawn (and its upcoming sequel). The original project offered players the opportunity to explore a post-apocalyptic world infested with mechanical creatures as the young warrior Aloy.

In Horizon Zero Dawn, the open world is filled with quests to complete, enemies to destroy, and puzzles to solve as the game's epic story unfolds. Like Genshin Impact's Teyvat, the distant future of Horizon Zero Dawn is a vibrant and alluring world that hides perilous challenges and awe-inspiring wonders around every corner.

↑ 8. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

• Release date: March 20, 2020
• Platforms: Switch
• Co-op: 8

At first glance, it may seem that Genshin Impact and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are black and white. However, if you look closely, you can find many similarities. So, with the release of update 1.5 for Genshin Impact, players have their own island where they can build buildings, plant trees, craft furniture and much more. If the leaks are true, with the release of patch 1.6 we can also add our characters to our island. Needless to say, everything is the same in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

But that's not all! In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the characters also celebrate their birthday, you also need to cut trees, fish and collect. It's no surprise that miHoYo followed in Nintendo's footsteps, as Animal Crossing: New Horizons is incredibly popular in the People's Republic of China.

↑ 7. Final Fantasy XIV

• Release date: February 18, 2014
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5
• Co-op: 8

This MMORPG has undergone significant changes in the years since its release, going from a critically acclaimed multiplayer game to one of the most celebrated MMOs on the market. In Final Fantasy XIV, players will take on the role of an adventurer sent to the future to "jump over" an apocalyptic event that has crippled the earth.

Exploring the continent as it recovers and emerges from destruction is very similar to exploring the open world of Genshin Impact. Customization in the game includes equipment and gaining experience for classes and professions, similar to the set of characters and loot in Genshin Impact.

↑ 6. Romancing SaGa Re: Universe

• Release date: December 6, 2018
• Platforms: Mobile (Android, iOS)
• Co-op: ✔

Like the gacha aspect of Genshin Impact? Then there are many other games of this genre on the market for you! But from a huge selection, I am ready to recommend Romancing SaGa Re: Universe. If only simply because Akatsuki is not trying to get into your wallet. There are so many resources to summon characters that you can afford to guarantee 1-2 favorite heroes per month (and many more that will "fall" on the way to them).

But even aside from the publisher's incredible generosity, it's still a fun and addictive game, with original mechanics and well-thought-out gameplay. And the best part, of course, is the cozy 2D jRPG aesthetic straight out of the 20th century!

↑ 5. CrossCode

• Release date: May 15, 2015
• Platforms: PC, PS4, X-One, Switch
• For just one

CrossCode is another retro sci-fi action RPG developed by Radical Fish Games and published by Deck13. The game has been in development since 2012, and in September 2018 it was released for Windows, Mac and Linux.

The storyline is quite similar to Genshin Impact and both games feature various anime elements. The story follows the heroine Shizuka Sakai, who is trying to save her brother from a distant future dominated by artificial intelligence. After initial success, the game was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on July 9, 2020.

↑ 4. Xenoblade Chronicles 2

• Release date: December 1, 2017
• Platforms: Switch
• For just one

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a massive, self-contained single player game. Like previous games in the series, XC2 is filled with side quests and monsters to hunt. The different continents have tons of places to explore and secrets to uncover for both quests and fun.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 differs from past games by a huge number of characters. Moreover, just like in Genshin Impact, they need to be obtained using the Gacha element. All rare companions have their own character and story sequences that must be completed.

↑ 3. Honkai Impact 3rd

• Release date: October 14, 2016
• Platforms: PC, Mobile (Android, iOS)
• Co-op: ✔

Genshin Impact developer miHoYo also created a sci-fi game of the same name called Honkai Impact 3rd, which shares many gameplay elements with its new sibling while bringing its own take on open-world gameplay.

Players take on the role of Valkyries, warriors sent to defeat the forces of chaos. As with Genshin Impact, the main method of collecting new characters is through the gacha mechanic. In addition to collecting Valkyries, players improve the heroes and equip them with effective equipment.

↑ 2. Immortals Fenyx Rising

• Release Date: December 3, 2020
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, X-One, Xbox X|S, Switch
• For just one

Immortals Fenyx Rising is a recently released Greek mythology-inspired colorful world game that impressed fans of open world games with its action-oriented gameplay. Giving players the opportunity to explore Greek mythology, Immortals stands out for its vast world and epic combat.

Although the theme is slightly different from Genshin Impact, Immortals Fenyx Rising has a lot to offer players, including a variety of missions and puzzles, as well as epic battles against iconic mythological creatures. Moving around the world is also an important part of both games, with different movement and combat abilities required to explore each corner.

↑ 1. Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

• Release date: February 26, 2016
• Platforms: Switch
• For just one

Considered by many to be one of the best games of all time, Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild challenges players to control the protagonist Link in a vast, open post-apocalyptic world. As players explore the vibrant and immersive world of Hyrule, players will find plenty of puzzles, combat encounters, and friendly NPCs.

Like Genshin Impact, Breath Of The Wild is set in a visually stunning world that focuses more on flashy design than grim realism. Both games also emphasize the exploration and experimentation of weapons and elemental abilities against a variety of dangerous and exciting enemies.

It's no secret that when creating Genshin Impact, miHoYo studio was inspired by Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild. Someone even called her a "Zelda clone", causing huge scandals. It is not surprising - it would be easier to list how they differ, and not how similar.