Updated at: 14-04-2023 - By: Leo Hall

In 2020, Genshin Impact blew away the video game industry with its massive player base and immediate financial success, earning nearly $400 million in sales in its first two months. To put that in perspective, Pokémon Go earned $238 million during the same time period.

Genshin Impact may appear to be just another anime open-world game at first glance, but it actually has quite a few unique and interesting features. What caused its sudden success? How does the game play out? Explain how each of its parts functions. Which operating systems does it support?

This guide will give you an in-depth look at Genshin Impact, covering the basics of the game, how to make money, the multiplayer experience, and more.

What is Genshin Impact?

Open-world action RPG Genshin Impact features “gacha” (we’ll get into that in a bit) mechanics. Chinese developer and publisher miHoYo is responsible for the game. Players take charge of a large party of characters, all of whom have their own unique skills, arsenals, and play styles. The battles take place in real time, and players can use ranged, melee, and elemental attacks to take down a wide variety of foes in the game’s overworld and dungeons.

HoYoverse announces Genshin Impact 3.4 release date and characters

Genshin Impact is a multiplayer-focused MMORPG that can only be played online. It features many of the same elements as popular games as a service, such as daily quests, rewards, and loot, to keep players coming back for more.

Genshin Impact has been likened to an anime version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by critics and players alike. It’s a valid assessment, seeing as how many settings and locations in both games are similar to one another. The main similarity is that, like in Breath of the Wild, you can scale nearly any surface in Genshin, with the amount of climbing limited by a stamina meter. Another parallel is that once you reach the peak of your destination, you can simply glide off and continue your rapid exploration of the world below.

But to simply label Genshin Impact as a “Breath of the Wild clone” would be unfair.

Let’s dive into the game’s “gacha” elements, which make up a sizable chunk of the experience. The “gacha” component refers to the random loot box or slot machine style of monetization used in the game. You can purchase random characters, loot, and equipment of varying rarities in packs with in-game currency or real money.

It’s possible to get the desired character on your first try, or it could take hundreds of hours (and a lot of money) to get them. It feels like “luck of the draw” because different characters and items have different drop rates. But you can also get characters just by playing the game normally. However, certain items or characters are so sought after that players will spend hundreds of dollars in currency just to get their hands on them.

Banners for your favorite characters will change as the game progresses. This translates to a higher chance of encountering a specific character and thus keeping players around. Sometimes after a character has been heavily pushed during a Banner, a re-roll will occur, giving the community a second chance to obtain that character. In a nutshell, the element of surprise is the game’s primary means of making money off of its audience.

What platforms is Genshin Impact available on?

Genshin Impact is currently playable on PC, Android, iOS, PS4, PS5, and PS Vita, with a dedicated Nintendo Switch version on the way. The fact that people who play it on PS4, PS5, PC, or mobile can all join in on the fun together is a big reason for the game’s popularity. Genshin Impact combines the best features of both console gaming and mobile gaming, which together have millions of fans.

Unfortunately for Xbox players, miHoYo, the game’s developer, has no plans to port Genshin Impact to the Xbox platform. We wouldn’t rule out a port just yet, though, as Xbox’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to its first-party output and Game Pass.

The game’s initial release hinted that mobile was the game’s primary focus, as the console version’s controls occasionally felt clunky. The game’s design clearly prioritized touch screens, as evidenced by the multiple screens required to access the map, the confusing menu structure, and the inability to map the controls (at least on console). Fans are anticipating the Nintendo Switch release because it has the potential to add touch screen controls and even gyro support.

Is Genshin Impact multiplayer?

In a nutshell, online co-op multiplayer is supported in Genshin Impact (again, across PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices). It supports four-player squads, so you can play with as many pals as you like. The vast open world can be explored, quests can be taken on, and dungeons can be entered in this game. Many of the regions contain formidable monsters that are much simpler to take down when accompanied by a group.

However, if you don’t play very often, getting to Adventure Rank 16—the minimum requirement for playing with friends—can feel like a bit of a grind. If you do, you can play in or host a game for up to three other people. However, you are not limited to playing in groups of four. In co-op mode, only the host can open chests and collectibles, and you can’t participate in story quests. Therefore, it is not without defects.

What’s the gameplay like?

Genshin Impact’s moment-to-moment gameplay involves a wide variety of quests that send you scouring the expansive world map, completing dungeons, and, of course, fighting enemies. In combat, players can instantly swap between different members of their party, giving them access to a wide variety of attacks. When it comes to fighting, some characters are better at close quarters than others are at long range.

The game’s dungeons, as well as faster movement nodes, better equipment, collectibles, and other features, are unlocked as you explore and complete the map. The rarity of the rewards you receive from completing these dungeons depends on the level of difficulty you chose. To enter a dungeon, you must fulfill certain conditions and face a variety of foes and simple puzzles.

The ability to chain elemental attacks (called Elemental Reactions in-game) to create a unique effect is one of the game’s more intriguing mechanics. To freeze an opponent in place, for instance, you could combine the Hydro and Cryo elements. You could also use the fire-based elements Pyro and Dendro (which are inspired by nature) to deal damage. Players are encouraged to play around with these variables to see what happens.

Crafting equipment that will help you in your quests is strongly encouraged as you amass resources. Food, crafting materials, weapons, equipment, and more are all available for purchase. Almost everything that could be desired in a massive open-world RPG is present.

The game features complex JRPG mechanics such as a party system, combat based on elements, and a vast world to explore. You can use your allies in a string to unleash devastating combos on your enemies, so you’ll need to get good at quickly swapping between them. This is true whether you’re preparing for a dungeon or a story mission in the open world; knowing the types of enemies you’ll face will help you select the best party members.

Is Genshin Impact free?

Normally, players would be put off by Genshin Impact’s gacha mechanics, which are reminiscent of loot boxes, but since the game is free to play, they have been more understanding. It’s true that you can enjoy the game in its entirety without spending a dime. Genshin Impact does an excellent job of providing in-game purchases as an option without making you feel like you have to spend real money, in contrast to many free-to-play titles.

So when players say it’s free-to-play, they mean it, unlike many other games that claim the same label but aren’t.

Genshin Impact Update 3.0: Release Date and Duration

Does Genshin Impact have DLC?

Genshin Impact has a wealth of downloadable content, from additional currency to playable characters and equipment. Again, none of this content is mandatory or even suggested unless explicitly requested. However, as a GAS, it receives free, consistent content updates on a regular basis. There will be new zones to discover, more missions to complete, and special events available for a limited time. It’s got everything that players want in a service-based game, including both free and premium content.

Every five or six weeks, new content appears on Genshin Impact. The community is preparing for the release of Genshin Impact Version 2.3 at the end of November. If you’re thinking about diving in, now is a great time because it coincides with the release of fresh content like new characters, weapons, and events.

What is the Battle Pass?

Last but not least, let’s talk about the battle pass in Genshin Impact since it’s such a crucial part of getting new equipment. You should have some idea of how a battle pass functions if you’ve played games like Fortnite or Call of Duty: Warzone. In essence, it’s a seasonal ranking system that resets at the start of each season and confers benefits at higher levels. As you progress through the battle pass, you’ll unlock new rewards, such as skins, weapons, and more.

Combat passes come in two varieties in Genshin: The free Sojourner’s Battle Pass is one option, as it grants benefits every ten levels. For an additional ten dollars, you can purchase the Gnostic Hymn Battle Pass, which includes everything in the Sojourner’s Battle Pass and more, including additional upgrade materials, Hero’s Wit, Mora, and Mystic Enchantment Ores. Offering both a free and a paid version of the battle pass is another sign that miHoYo cares about its customers. Players have praised Genshin for providing multiple battle pass options at no cost to the community, which is unusual for games as a service.

You’ll need to level up your character to Adventure Rank 20 before you can use the battle passes in Genshin. But the payoffs are great once you get there. Your progress in a given battle pass will only be saved for the duration of that season, after which your rank will be reset (though you’ll keep any rewards you’ve earned). Seasonal content may change over time as the game develops, as is common in games of this type.

Genshin Impact 2.7 release date

On May 31, Genshin Impact version 2.7 will be made available. The scheduled maintenance for Genshin Impact 2.7 will begin at 6am UTC 8, or 3pm PST / 6pm EST / 11pm BST on May 30.

Beginning on May 27th, users can begin downloading incremental updates to prepare for the full 2.7 release. You can find comprehensive guidelines for doing so on the Hoyoverse website.

Hoyoverse has gone as far as saying that the 2.7 patch will run for the standard six weeks, with the release of Genshin Impact 2.8 now anticipated for July 13. The maintenance is expected to last around five hours.

Don’t forget that Hoyoverse announced early in May that, as compensation for the delay in the 2.7 update, players would be given free primogems until May 30.

Genshin Impact 2.7 banners and characters

The next patch’s banners were confirmed on the Genshin Impact 2.7 livestream, and the first update is due out on the same day as 2.7.

Here are the banners for Phase 1 of 2.7:

  • Yelan, the Riddle Solver
  • This is an old banner for Xiao, which means “Invitation to Mundane Life.”

The second phase is represented by the Oni’s Royale banner, a rerun of an Arataki Itto banner. Newcomer Kuki Shinobu will join the roster of available four-star characters. A new five-star bow called Aqua Simulacra will be one of the featured items on the new weapon banner.

Genshin Impact 2.7 livestream

On May 20 at 8am (UTC – 4), the official Genshin Impact Twitch channel broadcast the release of version 2.7 of the game.

Genshin Impact 2.7 free primogems

Players will be compensated by Hoyoverse for the delay of the 2.7 update, the company said on May 5. At 4:00 AM on Wednesdays starting May 11, players will receive 400 free primogems. One Fragile Resin, seven Hero’s Wit, sixteen Mystic Enhancement Ore, and one hundred and twenty thousand Mora will also be sent to the players.

This payment will remain in place until version 2.7 is made available. To be eligible for the first round of compensation, you must have reached Adventure Rank 5 by the time the rewards are distributed. Each message has a 30-day time limit on it, and all rewards must be claimed before the 2.7 patch goes live.

Genshin Impact 2.7 events

The following is a rundown of everything that has been announced for Genshin Impact 2.7:

  • Dangerous Path: An Archon Quest Set in a Domain
  • Travelers play drums to the beat and trade rhythm maps at the mighty Arataki Great and Glorious Drumalong Festival.
  • The Heart of the Device: The Serenitea Pot Event, Where Strangers Construct Robot Furnishings
  • Dungeon event in the abyss where players battle augmented foe in the dark mud.
  • Daily Activities: Kuki’s Hangout

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That concludes the information we have on Genshin Impact 2.7. Check out our guides to the new area in 2.6, The Chasm, for more Genshin Impact help, including information on where to find the Archaic stones and how to gain access to the Chasm’s underground. The 2.7 livestream also provided us with additional codes for Genshin Impact, so be sure to redeem them.

Genshin Impact 2.8 release date

On July 13, 2022, hopefully you’ll be able to download Genshin Impact 2.8. Hoyoverse announced the new 2.7 patch release date and confirmed the return to the regular six-week patch cycle in a May 19 announcement. The development team also stated their plans to release the 2.8 update in July.

While this is still a pretty strong statement of intent from Hoyoverse, we can take it as written for the time being (barring any further delays, of course).

Genshin Impact 2.8 banners

After being hinted at in the game’s files, the upcoming character Heizou was officially announced by Hoyoverse on May 16. The details of Heizou’s abilities have also been made public thanks to a 2.8 beta leak. This is reminiscent of how we saw new characters Yelan and Kuki Shinobu introduced in the 2.7 beta and featured on the Genshin Impact banners prior to the release of that patch.

The exact date of Heizou’s banner release has not been announced, but given the above, it seems likely that he will be introduced in patch 2.8. Midway through February, reputable Genshin leaker Ubatcha dropped the first solid Heizou rumor on the world:

After the reveal of Heizou and the beginning of the 2.8 beta, another reliable leaker named Lumie claimed that Heizou would be featured in the first patch 2.8 banner:

It’s likely that, like Kuki Shinobu, Heizou will be a four-star character and appear as a four-star choice on a character banner alongside other four-star characters. While we wait, the available ability information allows us to make educated guesses about what a good Heizou build might entail and how a good Heizou team might be put together.

Genshin Impact 2.8 events

Although no official 2.8 Genshin Impact events have been announced as of yet, several rumors have surfaced online as a result of beta leaks. For instance, Genshin leaker Genshin Intel claims that we may be getting a new event to acquire Fischl for free:

Another rumored feature is a jigsaw puzzle-themed side-game.

Genshin Impact 2.8 livestream

There has been no word on when the Genshin Impact 2.8 livestream will occur, but in the past they have occurred about 10–12 days before a patch went live.

Considering the 2.8 version will be released on July 13, the livestream will take place between Friday, July 1, and Monday, July 4, at the earliest. Hoyoverse has established a precedent for weekend livestreams, so it is reasonable to assume that this time period will be used.

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All the information we have on Genshin Impact 2.8 has been presented. If you’re looking for more help with Genshin, we have a tier list with the best characters right now as well as a ton of Genshin Impact codes for free primogems.

Genshin Impact 3.0 Release Date

On August 24, 2022, Genshin Impact 3.0 will launch and run until September 5, 2022.

The Dendro Element and the new nation of Sumeru will be presented from the get-go in the 3.0 update.

Genshin Impact 3.0 Banners

At least one of the three new characters featured on the debut Dendro Nation banners will be named Dendro.

According to recent rumors, the manga’s main character, Collei, will be the first playable character in Dendro.

Tighnari, a male bow character with elf ears, and the Hydro Yaksha Bonanus are also suspected to be involved.

Map Changes

Genshin Impact 3.0 features a massive new world. We’re getting a whole new country, complete with fresh teleport nodes, treasure chests, and quests.

Ultimately, the arrival of Sumeru, the Dendro nation, promises a plethora of fresh material.

New Enemies

Data miners uncovered files for a mysterious entity called the Electro Regisvine, widely believed to be a new boss antagonist.

Genshin Impact - Official launch date for PC and mobile platforms announced - MMO Culture

New Weapons and Artifacts

Two new groups of artifacts have been reported to us.

Both of these new collections have caught my eye.

  • The first group reduces their resistance to Dendro and increases the damage they take from the element.
  • The second set increases critical damage and decreases the defense of shielded foes.

Genshin Impact 3.0 Events

Version 3.0 marks the beginning of the third chapter of the Archon Quest, as it is then that The Traveler and Paimon set out on their journey to find the Dendro Archon.

In addition to the new features and characters, this update will also bring Story Quest.

We recommend taking unconfirmed information with a grain of salt as it may be subject to change in the final version of this article. We’ll provide the most recent updates as new data becomes available.