Genshin Impact review
A huge anime open world with elemental combat and co-op
- HoYoverse
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Windows
4.2 from 579.9K App Store ratings 100M+ Google Play downloads
Does it deserve #4?
Is Genshin Impact worth it?
For most people, yes. Genshin Impact scores 8.3/10 and ranks #4 in RPG & Adventure Games. It's best for explorers who want a vast anime world and don't mind gacha. Skip it if you hate random draws or play on an older, low-storage phone. Price: Free to play; Genesis Crystals from $0.99 and a $4.99 Blessings Bundle.
The verdict
Genshin Impact is still the open-world RPG that sets the bar on phones. Six years in, Teyvat keeps growing, and 2026 finally reached the icy nation of Snezhnaya. You climb anything, glide everywhere and mix elements for combat combos, solo or in co-op with friends. The world and story are free; the characters you want come from gacha wishes. It's demanding on storage and battery, so older phones struggle.
- Huge open world to climb and glide
- Elemental reaction combat
- Four-player co-op
- Shared progress with PC
- New version every six weeks
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Sep 2026Version 7.1 adds characters Vesna and Vodyanitsa plus new Archon Quests and events
- Aug 2026Version 7.0 opens Snezhnaya with new characters, a new reaction and third-person shooting
- Jun 2026Version 6.7 adds Sandrone as a playable character and two new areas
Privacy 6.4/10
App Store label: identifiers may be used to track you. Purchases, contact info, user content, identifiers, usage data and diagnostics may be linked to you.
What we like
- Enormous free world and story
- Beautiful art and orchestral soundtrack
- Big updates on a steady six-week rhythm
What could be better
- Characters and weapons come down to gacha luck
- Demanding on storage, battery and older phones
- Daily Resin limits slow progress
Explorers who want a vast anime world and don't mind gacha
you hate random draws or play on an older, low-storage phone
Questions about Genshin Impact
Is Genshin Impact worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Genshin Impact scores 8.3/10 and ranks #4 in RPG & Adventure Games. It's best for explorers who want a vast anime world and don't mind gacha. Skip it if you hate random draws or play on an older, low-storage phone. Price: Free to play; Genesis Crystals from $0.99 and a $4.99 Blessings Bundle.
Is Genshin Impact free?
Yes. It's free to play; purchases buy wishes for random characters and weapons, plus a $4.99 Blessings Bundle on the App Store.
Is Genshin Impact pay-to-win?
There's no PvP, so spending never beats another player, but it does get you strong characters faster.
Can I play Genshin on PC with my phone save?
Yes. Your HoYoverse account carries progress between mobile and PC.
What age is Genshin Impact for?
It's rated 13+ on the App Store and Teen on Google Play.
What are the best alternatives to Genshin Impact?
The closest alternatives are Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves and Zenless Zone Zero. See all of them ranked on our Genshin Impact alternatives page.
Where does Genshin Impact rank?
Genshin Impact ranks #4 of 8 in our RPG & Adventure Games ranking, with an overall score of 8.3 out of 10.