# Genshin Impact

> Genshin Impact is an action rpg, open world and gacha game developed by HoYoverse, first released on 28 September 2020 for iOS, Android, iPad, Android Tablet, PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It takes about 60 hours to finish the main story and around 4000 hours to complete. It is free to play, funded by optional in-game purchases. We scored it 8.3 out of 10.

Source: https://gamingpickz.com/games/genshin-impact/
Publisher of this page: GamingPickz
Reviewed by: Mikan, Contributing writer, after undefined hours played
Last updated: 30 August 2026
Wikidata: Q65059474
Verified: no, this entry is a draft and is not indexed

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| First released | 28 September 2020 |
| Developer | HoYoverse |
| Publisher | HoYoverse |
| Genres | Action RPG, Open World, Gacha |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, iPad, Android Tablet, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Players | 1 player, up to 4 in co-op |
| ESRB rating | T for Teen |
| Main story length | 60 hours |
| Completionist length | 4000 hours |
| Monetisation | free-to-play |
| Our score | 8.3 out of 10 |

## Verdict

One of the best-produced free games ever made, and one you should decide your spending limit on before you start.

## Overview

Genshin Impact is the clearest proof that mobile hardware can carry a full open world. The same account, the same save and the same content run on a phone, a tablet, a PC and a PlayStation, and progress carries across all of them.

It is also a gacha game, which means the characters you want are behind randomised pulls with published but unfavourable odds. Both of those facts matter, and reviews that only mention one of them are not telling you enough.

## Story and setting

The main quest, the Archon Quests, moves nation by nation through Teyvat. Early Mondstadt is slow and heavily tutorialised. From Inazuma onward the writing sharpens considerably, and the Fontaine chapter is genuinely well constructed.

Character stories, the Story Quests, are where most of the writing effort goes, and they are optional. Skipping them removes most of the reason to care about the cast.

## Gameplay

Combat is party-based real-time action with a four-character team and an elemental reaction system. Applying one element then another triggers a reaction, and building a party around consistent reactions is the whole skill ceiling.

Exploration is the strongest part. Climbing and gliding are unrestricted outside of a stamina bar, and the world is dense with hidden puzzles and chests that reward looking rather than following a marker.

The endgame is thin. Once you have cleared the Spiral Abyss and the current event, the loop reduces to daily commissions and artifact farming, which is grindy by design.

## What works

- Genuinely free with no paywalled story
- Excellent cross-platform progression across phone, tablet, PC and PlayStation
- Elemental reaction combat has real depth
- Exploration and world design are consistently strong
- Regular, substantial content updates

## What does not

- Gacha pull rates for five-star characters are low
- Artifact farming is heavily randomised and slow
- Thin endgame between content patches
- Meaningful battery and heat cost on phones

## Release dates by platform

| Platform | Release date | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| iOS | 28 September 2020 |  |
| Android | 28 September 2020 |  |
| iPad | 28 September 2020 |  |
| Android Tablet | 28 September 2020 |  |
| PC | 28 September 2020 | Standalone launcher and Epic Games Store |
| PlayStation 4 | 28 September 2020 |  |
| PlayStation 5 | 28 April 2021 |  |

## Performance modes

| Platform | Mode | Resolution | Frame rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PlayStation 5 | Standard | 4K | 60 fps |
| iOS | High | Device native | Up to 60 fps on recent hardware |
| Android | Variable | Device dependent | 30 or 60 fps depending on device tier |

## PC system requirements

| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
| --- | --- | --- |
| OS | Windows 7 SP1 64-bit or later | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 equivalent or better | Intel Core i7 equivalent or better |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GT 1030 or better | NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB or better |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | Roughly 100 GB, grows with each update | Roughly 100 GB SSD |

## Where to buy

| Store | Platform | MSRP | Current | Type |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| App Store | iOS | Free | not checked | official store |
| Google Play | Android | Free | not checked | official store |
| App Store | iPad | Free | not checked | official store |
| Google Play | Android Tablet | Free | not checked | official store |
| Steam | PC | Free | not checked | official store |
| PlayStation Store | PlayStation 4 | Free | not checked | official store |
| PlayStation Store | PlayStation 5 | Free | not checked | official store |
| Green Man Gaming | PC | Free | not checked | key reseller |
| Fanatical | PC | Free | not checked | key reseller |
| Humble Store | PC | Free | not checked | key reseller |
| GOG | PC | Free | not checked | affiliate |

## Community sentiment

Community discussion is almost bimodal: the free content and world design draw genuine affection, while the systems governing how much of it you may play per day, and what it costs to pull a character, draw sustained anger.

Recurring praise:

- Exploration and region design, particularly the later nations, are the most consistently praised element
- The fact that no story content sits behind a paywall is raised often as a genuine mark in its favour
- Cross-platform progression between phone, tablet, PC and console is treated as a standout feature
- The soundtrack and orchestral recordings are widely singled out

Recurring complaints:

- The resin system capping how much reward-bearing content you can do per day is the largest single complaint
- Artifact randomisation is described as the least respectful use of player time in the game
- Five-star pull rates and the pity threshold generate recurring frustration, especially around limited banners
- Endgame content between patches is considered thin, and anniversary reward decisions have caused public backlash

## How it was made

Announced in mid 2019 and released just over a year later, an unusually short public runway for a game of this scale.

Its launch drew accusations of copying Breath of the Wild, which faded as the game established its own systems. It has been in continuous development since, with the live team growing substantially after launch.

Engine: Unity

Team size: Roughly 400 at launch, over 700 within two years

## Official videos

- Genshin Impact Announcement Trailer: The Outlander Who Caught The Wind (reveal, Genshin Impact): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMdsrZ1otlA
- Genshin Impact - Sumeru Gameplay Trailer｜Gamescom 2022 (gameplay, Genshin Impact): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpJEta4ylaY

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Genshin Impact really free?

Yes. The full game and every story chapter are free. Money buys randomised character and weapon pulls, plus convenience resources, none of which are required to complete story content.

### Can I play Genshin Impact on a phone and a PC with the same account?

Yes. Progress syncs across iOS, Android, PC and PlayStation on one account. Note that PlayStation accounts historically had restrictions on linking, so check before you start on PS5.

### Is Genshin Impact good on a tablet?

It is better on a tablet than a phone. The larger screen suits the four-character swap UI, and tablets throttle less under sustained load.

### How much should I spend on Genshin Impact?

Nothing, if you are unsure. If you decide to spend, the monthly Welkin Moon pass is the best value per dollar. Set a fixed monthly cap before your first purchase.

## Sources

- HoYoverse official site: https://genshin.hoyoverse.com/

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Content by GamingPickz. Cite as: GamingPickz, "Genshin Impact", https://gamingpickz.com/games/genshin-impact/