15 Must-Play Games Like Genshin Impact for RPG Fans

Genshin Impact is an action role-playing game that has taken the world by storm since its release in 2020. With over 60 million monthly players on average, this anime-inspired game has become a fan favorite among gacha players, offering open-world exploration and elemental combat across stunning regions like Mondstadt, Liyue, and the electrifying archipelago of Inazuma.

However, between game updates, players may wish to find games like Genshin Impact that provide new storylines and characters while keeping the artwork and mechanics they’ve come to love.

In this unranked list, discover the top 12 games like Genshin Impact to play today and learn more about their gameplay and similarities to Genshin.

The Best Games Like Genshin Impact at a Glance

Even with Genshin Impact alternatives, no two titles are identical. Here are some of the best games similar to Genshin Impact at a glance, helping you determine if the game is right for you and available for your preferred platform.

Game	Best for	Platforms	Metacritic Rating
Honkai: Stair Rail	Fans of Genshin Impact’s gacha mechanics looking for open-world exploration and turn-based combat in a new setting	Windows, Android, iOS, PlayStation	80/100
Persona 5	Fans of the Persona 5 series, players looking for an RPG game with immersive social elements paired with dungeons and combat	Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, Windows	93/100
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition	Fans of Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii/3DS looking for a modern way to play, players looking for an open-world game with elements of RPG and adventure	Switch	89/100
Tower of Fantasy	Fans of Genshin Impact looking for a similar cooperative game, players interested in an open-world game with easy-to-learn combat mechanics	Android, iOS, Windows, PlayStation	65/100
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	Players looking for a game that combines the open-world exploration and travel mechanics of games like Genshin Impact with storylines offering hundreds of hours of gameplay	Switch	97/100
Punishing: Gray Raven	Players looking for a gacha game similar to Genshin Impact and reminiscent of a visual novel	Android, iOS, Windows	83/100
Wuthering Waves	Players looking for a gacha game with a completable main storyline and post-game content	Windows, Android, iOS, PlayStation	71/100
Honkai Impact 3rd	Fans of games with art styles similar to Genshin Impact looking for several game modes in a single title	Android, iOS, Windows, macOS	4/5 on Google Play
Nier: Automata	Players looking for a combat-heavy game with high replayability and immersive environmental artwork	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch	88/100
Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn	Players looking for a largely collaborative game with high levels of character customization	Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox	86/100
Scarlet Nexus	Fans of the Scarlet Nexus anime, Genshin Impact players looking for a game with a similar art style but linear, story-driven gameplay	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox	80/100
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox	Players looking for an ARPG with anime-style graphics similar to Genshin Impact, fans of previous Ys games	Windows, PlayStation, Switch	80/100
Immortals Fenyx Rising	Fans of Genshin’s open world looking for a Greek mythology-inspired title with various gameplay elements	Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch	81/100
Zenless Zone Zero	Players who want to experience 3D combat similar to Genshin Impact and gameplay elements reminiscent of older ARPGs	Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox	77/100
Dragon Raja	RPG fans looking for an immersive game where they can develop their character and make meaningful decisions that impact gameplay	Android, iOS, Windows	3.8/5 on Google Play

1. Honkai: Star Rail

In Honkai: Star Rail, explore space as the Trailblazer, an otherwise unnamed protagonist who travels from planet to planet. The goal of this gacha game is to travel across planets using the Astral Express in an effort to resolve disasters occurring as a result of Stellarons — powerful life-forms that respond to desire. 

Prior to its release in 2023, Honkai: Star Rail was highly anticipated, partly because of its similarities to Genshin Impact. Along with its gacha mechanics, Honkai: Star Rail uses an anime-esque art style and features a vast world to explore, making it one of the best open-world mobile games. 

Honkai: Star Rail also includes turn-based combat paired with dungeon exploration, offering hours of gameplay in a space-themed setting. Overall, Honkai: Star Rail is one of the best open-world games PC, mobile, and console players can enjoy as a Genshin Impact alternative. 

2. Persona 5

Spend a year in the shoes of Joker, a male student at a high school in Tokyo who lives an ordinary life filled with social simulator aspects. This includes building relationships with NPCs, attending school, enjoying free time, and even pursuing part-time jobs. But players also embark on epic dungeon-crawling journeys in a different realm, the Metaverse, which uses a turn-based combat system. 

Persona 5 has a similar art style as Genshin Impact. However, it also blends action with RPG elements, giving players freedom over how they play, fight, and explore.

3. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition brings the fan-favorite adventure RPG from older consoles to the Nintendo Switch. An expanded remaster, this title modernizes the original Xenoblade Chronicles game while adding new storylines. 

Like Genshin Impact, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition pairs open-world exploration with combat and aesthetic graphics. As part of the remaster, the art and graphics used in this game more closely resemble newer installments in the series. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition doesn’t have a gacha system, but it does offer real-time action-based combat.

4. Tower of Fantasy

Explore the radioactive world of Aida in this free-to-play ARPG. Like Genshin Impact, players have multiple ways to explore this open world: climbing, sprinting, swimming, and even using different vehicles. Players can choose to explore alone or with friends in its co-op mode, making it one of the best multiplayer games for mobile. As players explore, they may encounter a variety of different mutant opponents they must defeat using hack-and-slash combat. 

Although Tower of Fantasy is similar to Genshin Impact in art style, players can explore a sci-fi based environment in this title compared to Genshin’s fantasy setting.

5. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Besides being one of the most popular games on the Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a popular Genshin Impact alternative. Although this title lacks gacha mechanics, it shares many other similarities with Genshin, including cartoon-like art and shading paired with open-world exploration made possible through climbing, swimming, running, and gliding.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers hundreds of hours of gameplay. In the world of Hyrule, players can embark on side quests, complete the main storyline, or take their time discovering and unfolding the world’s lore.

6. Punishing: Gray Raven

Punishing: Gray Raven blends visual novel-style storytelling with hack-and-slash combat. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic world, players must reclaim the planet by fighting off hordes of enemies known as the Corrupted. 

This title includes a gacha mechanic that allows players to collect more characters, though they can also be collected by progressing through the story and certain in-game events. There is also a “pity system” in play, guaranteeing players will receive a rare item after a specific number of plays.

7. Wuthering Waves

First released in 2024, Wuthering Waves is one of the newer Genshin Impact alternatives, and it has quickly become a fan favorite in the gacha genre. It pairs an anime-inspired art style with combat and open-world exploration in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic world that provides hours of gameplay. This title also offers a completed storyline that can be finished without waiting for updates, as well as post-game content to explore.

Like Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves has a gacha mechanic. This includes a pity system, which ensures players receive rare pulls after a certain number of tries.

8. Honkai Impact 3rd

Made by the same developers as Honkai: Star Rail, this ARPG title instead places characters on an alternate version of Earth. Players control a team of up to three characters known as Valkyries and must battle using real-time combat mechanics. As players progress through the storyline, features from different genres seep in, immersing players in elements of social simulation, dungeon crawling, bullet hell, and more. 

Although lacking a gacha system, Honkai Impact 3rd has a similar anime-inspired art style as Genshin Impact, along with immersive voice acting. This game has influenced several forms of media, including two anime shows and a manga. 

9. Nier: Automata

Nier: Automata, the sequel to Nier, is a combat-heavy ARPG that provides an open world similar to Genshin Impact’s. Players can choose from various weapons, including two types of swords, spears, and bracers, before engaging in hack-and-slash combat. 

Because of the combat-heavy nature of this Genshin Impact alternative, the player will likely face death more than once. This game offers respawns at the player’s last save point, allowing for trial and error. There are also 26 different endings to explore, creating hours of gameplay and replayability.

10. Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn

While Genshin Impact only offers cooperative gameplay between a few players, Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn launches players into an MMORPG within a highly collaborative world. From a player-driven economy to a library of automatically translated phrases, this title encourages players to interact with one another.

Although Final Fantasy XIV differs from Genshin Impact in terms of gacha mechanics and player support, the two games’ art style is similar. Final Fantasy XIV also provides a vast world for players to traverse and explore.

11. Scarlet Nexus

Less than a year after its initial release, Scarlet Nexus sold over 1 million copies and received a short anime series based on the game and characters under the same name. With its art style, combat, and focus on using more than one character, Scarlet Nexus is a popular Genshin Impact alternative that focuses on a linear, story-driven gaming experience. 

One of the best anime games for PS5, Xbox, and Windows players, Scarlet Nexus uses a third-person perspective, as well as a mixture of weapons and special abilities for combat against mutated foes. As players progress through the story, they must develop strategies and learn how to effectively use both of the main characters to survive and advance.

12. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

With a team of different characters, players can explore the vast world that Ys IX: Monstrum Nox has to offer, uncovering secrets and lore while advancing through the game. Each character has unique combat and traversal abilities, allowing players to sprint, glide, and more. 

With an anime-esque art style, in-game loot and treasure to uncover, and the city of Balduq to explore, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox provides Genshin Impact players with a new but familiar gaming experience that can provide hours of gameplay.

13. Immortals Fenyx Rising

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly with the wings of Daedalus or fight a minotaur? In Immortal Fenyx Rising, you can explore an open world filled with elements of Greek mythology, from the way you travel to the enemies you face. 

Immortal Fenyx Rising’s gameplay is littered with elements from other genres, although the game itself is an action-adventure. You can take on side quests as you work towards completing the main storyline, engage in challenging platforms, or even explore different puzzles.

14. Zenless Zone Zero

Zenless Zone Zero blends 2D and 3D elements into a single genre-bending title. In one game mode, play through a 2D dungeon crawler reminiscent of older ARPG titles. Then, enter combat that pairs 2D graphics with hack-and-slash style mechanics. 

This title is a great option for players who enjoyed Genshin Impact and are interested in a different take on the genre. It also features several immersive qualities, including a day and night cycle, to create gameplay that feels real enough to touch. 

Like all games, this title has its pros and cons, and Zenless Zone Zero reviews provide a deeper look at its gameplay.

15. Dragon Raja

Dragon Raja offers detailed character customization. You have control over how your character looks and who they are, with your responses and decisions impacting their personalities. 

The choices you make also affect the world around you, including your interactions with NPCs.

However, a good character system is only part of the fun of this MMORPG. It also provides rich storylines, with side quests and lore to uncover in this expansive open world title. As an MMORPG, it’s one of the best mobile games to play with friends.

How To Choose a Genshin Impact Alternative

Since its release, Genshin Impact has cemented itself as a fan favorite in the genre. But it’s not the only ARPG with gacha mechanics. If you’re looking for a Genshin Impact alternative, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

• Look for open-world exploration: Genshin Impact is beloved partly because it’s one of the best open-world RPGs with an immersive world to discover. When looking for a game like Genshin Impact, consider not just the art style of the world but how much of it you can explore.
• Consider the playstyle and MMO nature: Many games like Genshin Impact are MMOs. Since Genshin Impact is primarily a single-player game (though it does offer co-op support), decide what playstyle works best for you.
• Learn to recognize gacha games: Gacha mechanics make up a large part of Genshin’s gameplay. If you enjoy this style, learning to recognize gacha games like Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero can help you find suitable alternatives. 
• Find games with a similar anime-esque art style: Genshin Impact takes inspiration from several sources, including anime, which shows in its art style. From aesthetic landscapes to loveable characters, consider games with similar art.

Explore New Worlds

Games like Genshin Impact offer hours of gameplay, with irresistible gacha mechanics, immersive worlds and lore to explore, and characters to know and love. If you enjoy the gameplay Genshin Impact has to offer and want to find other games to play online, there are dozens of titles to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a gacha game or a different genre, you can explore hundreds of games online and find your next virtual adventure today.

Best Genshin Impact Alternatives FAQ

If you’re looking for games like Genshin Impact, you may have some questions. Below, discover answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Genshin Impact alternatives. 

What Makes a Game Similar to Genshin Impact?

Art style and game mechanics play a large role in whether a game is similar to Genshin Impact.

One of the most notable features of Genshin Impact is its gacha mechanic, where players can spend real or in-game currency for random virtual items. Honkai: Star Rail is also a gacha game. Other games may not feature a gacha mechanic, but they have a similar anime-inspired art style. Many games are also action RPGs; these two qualities help distinguish Genshin Impact and similar titles.

Are There Free-To-Play Games Like Genshin Impact?

There are several free-to-play games like Genshin Impact. Honkai: Star Rail is also free to play, although there are microtransactions due to its gacha mechanic. Punishing: Gray Raven is free to play with microtransactions, although there are also free ways to earn some of the premium content as you play.

What’s the Best Genshin Impact Alternative for Multiplayer Gameplay?

Many Genshin Impact alternatives offer multiplayer support. Tower of Fantasy is a cooperative game with a similar art style as Genshin Impact, while Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Realm Reborn allows you to connect with hundreds of other players in a collaborative world as an MMORPG.

What Type of RPG Is Genshin Impact?

Genshin Impact is an action role-playing game (ARPG). This subgenre for RPGs includes the immersive narratives, detailed environments, and life-like characters that you love, paired with high-stakes action combat.

What Game Is Like Genshin Impact but Not Gacha?

Gacha is a notable part of Genshin Impact’s gameplay, but similar titles do without this element, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. BotW includes the same action and open world without the need to test your luck using Gacha mechanics.