Genshin Impact surprised a lot of people when it launched, and it has kept growing since. It is an open-world action RPG that you can play for free on your phone, PC or console, and the scale of the world is still impressive today.
Exploration
The world of Teyvat is split into regions inspired by different cultures, each with its own look, music and puzzles. Climbing, gliding and swimming make exploration feel free, and there is always a chest, a puzzle or a hidden area just off the main path. For many players this is the real heart of the game.
Combat
You control a team of four characters and can swap between them instantly. Each character uses an element, and mixing elements creates reactions such as Vaporize, Melt or Freeze. Building a team that triggers strong reactions is satisfying and gives the combat more depth than it first appears.
The gacha question
New characters and weapons come from a gacha system called Wishes. You earn currency for free by playing, and it is possible to clear most content with free characters. Still, the temptation to spend on limited banners is real, and the pity system means some players end up spending more than they planned. Set a budget before you start, and stick to it.
Performance
On recent flagship phones the game looks great, but it gets warm during long sessions. Mid-range devices will need lower settings. Make sure you have plenty of free storage because the game and its updates are large. On PC or PlayStation the experience is smoother and easier on the eyes for long sessions.
Content and updates
Regular version updates add new regions, story chapters, characters and events. Even after a long break, there is usually a lot to come back to.
Verdict
Genshin Impact is one of the best free games available, especially if you enjoy exploring. Just treat the gacha with caution. If you can enjoy the game without chasing every new character, you will get hundreds of hours of fun without spending a sen.