Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is an ARPG with an anime art style featuring open-world exploration and an action-based combat system. It features 23 playable characters, four of which you can use throughout the game. You can quickly switch between characters, doubling the damage dealt to enemies. Despite its similar name to Honkai Impact 3rd, this game is, in fact, a standalone game, not a sequel.

Game Information

The backstory is simply told: set in the fantasy world of Teyvat, home to seven nations (see more on these below), each with its own god (a group of seven gods known as Archons) and tied to its own element, the protagonist, called “the Traveler,” is searching for his lost twin, having become separated during previous journeys to Teyvat.

The entire region was in turmoil at the time, and while attempting to leave, the twins were separated by a god who took one and sealed the other away for 500 years. It is the latter who becomes known as The Traveler, who, upon his return, and along with Paimon, explores all of Teyvat, aiding the various peoples of the area.

Beneath the earth lies the ruined, godless nation of Khaenri'ah, which was ruined during the Traveler's last visit to the region, just as his twin was taken away. The floating island of Celestia serves as a sort of Olympus or Elysian Fields: the afterlife, home to gods and mortals whose heroic deeds have granted them divinity.

Things to know

You can choose to play as a male or female character, with the female twin named Lumine and the male twin named Aether. These names can be changed, although the sibling, once found, will use the twin's original name.

Individuals—subjects or citizens—can be chosen by their god and receive a magical gem that allows them to control the nation's element, along with a quest to complete. If they succeed in their quest, they may earn a place in Celestia.

When the game first came out, players were strongly reminded of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and there was some controversy over the possibility of plagiarism. However, as the game progressed, it became clear that Genshin Impact had significantly distanced itself from any similarity, expanding into a complex and carefully designed game in its own right.

You'll need to play solo until you reach level 16, which is when multiplayer is allowed in the form of cooperative play – and by then you'll have learned enough to hold your own against other players, so it's worth waiting a little.

Side quests and resource gathering can be quite a chore, as there's so much to explore, test, or collect that you'll find your progress in tracking down your lost brother somewhat delayed as you complete quest after quest. But you'll eventually get back on track, aided by the game's wonderful soundtrack and stunning visuals.

Seven Nations of Teyvat

The seven nations are as follows:

Mondstadt: city of freedom, on an island in the middle of a lake, protected by the Knights
of Favonius and with the god BarbatosLivue: to the southwest is a commercial port, the largest in Teyvat. Presided over by Livue Qixing (business leaders) and Adepts (ancient guardians), one of whom is the god Rex Lapis. Inazuma: An isolationist island in the southeast, ruled by the authoritarian god Raiden Shogun and three governing bodies: the Tenryou (military and executive), Kanjou (finance and foreign affairs), and Yashiro (ceremonial/tradition) Commissions. Sumeru: Reveres wisdom and learning, and is home to the Sumeru Academy, the god the Lesser Lord Kusanali. Fontaine: A center of beauty, elegance, culture, and art, presided over by the unnamed god of Justice. Natlan: A land of fire and volcanoes, overseen by the Pyro Archon. Murata – the newest nation, and one that still has much to reveal. Snezhnava: A nation of diplomatic spies known as Fatui who appear friendly and good-natured, while secretly doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals. The Fatui are led by the Eleven Messengers, who have superpowers and executive authority to use them, as granted to them by their god Tsaritsa. In addition to the Fatui is the Order of the Abyss, a league of monsters claiming to be enemies of humanity, led by a Prince or Princess.