The best games like Genshin Impact allow players to explore wonderful worlds, get into epic battles, or just engage with gacha systems. Genshin Impact is a lot of things, and while gacha games understandably aren’t for everyone, it’s a very hard game to match for those that play it. The mix of awesome elemental interactions, over-the-top anime battles, and endearing characters, not to mention that it doesn’t end, isn’t something a lot of games can do.
The good news, though, is that a lot of games out there do a pretty good impression, or just have a similar vibe. For those who don’t want to play Hoyoverse’s flagship game, but want something that scratches the same itch, here are our picks for the best games like Genshin Impact. Whether you want blistering action, the chance to spend way too much money, or just like anime, there’s something for everyone.
Best games like Genshin Impact
- Honkai: Star Rail
- Tower of Fantasy
- Tales of Arise
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Honkai Impact 3rd
- Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis
1. Honkai: Star Rail
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Yes, Honkai: Star Rail is from the same developers as Genshin Impact. Naturally, it’s not surprising that it’s similar, but hear us out anyway. Honkai: Star Rail is the latest game from Hoyoverse, and rather than being an action game, is a turn-based RPG instead. Aside from that change, it’s also a more linear world instead of an open world.
However, character progression is much the same, it has the same banging music and incredible character design, and it’s also a far better mobile game thanks to the different battle system. It also has both speed-up and auto-battling, making it an excellent game for those who want something to do a little more passively when they can’t be bothered.
2. Tower of Fantasy
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It’s not unfair to say that Tower of Fantasy is probably the game most like Genshin Impact. It’s an open-world RPG full of anime characters with over-the-top weapons, bombastic gameplay, and similar gacha systems. It does, however, sell itself as more of an MMORPG, rather than Genshin’s more single-player-focused way of doing things.
That means that the biggest selling point of Tower of Fantasy over Genshin Impact is for those who want a more meaty co-op experience. We generally prefer Genshin over Tower of Fantasy in most areas, but if you’re looking for the best games like Genshin Impact, Tower of Fantasy has to be considered.
3. Tales of Arise
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Tales of Arise is the latest game in the long-running series, and it redefines what these action RPGs can be. Tales of Arise is a single-player game that features incredible combat, a fairly large cast of excellent characters, and a constant mystery to chase down as you battle against fantastical foes.
The story is especially good, with you basically helping a rebellion against the horrifying slavery your people are enduring, and along the way, you find a lot of different ways that tyranny can not only fester but how it can work. It’s just an exquisite game and a must-play for those looking for another anime-infused hit.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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Look, it’s no secret that Genshin Impact’s open-world exploration bears a striking resemblance to Breath of the Wild. You get a glider, you’ve got an upgradable stamina bar for climbing stuff, and the world is your oyster. The similarities are pretty blatant, but it does mean that you can always hop into Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom if you want a new playground.
Tears of the Kingdom is the newer of the two games, and the exploration is even more varied and rewarding. The combat isn’t quite as bombastic, as it’s more about preparation and creating your own weapons, but the experience is a delight, so it’s well worth grabbing if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch.
5. Divinity: Original Sin 2
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Here’s a shocker for some people, but stay with us... It’s true that the two games have their differences. Genshin Impact is a massive open-world gacha game with fast-paced anime-like combat, while Divinity: Original Sin 2 has large open areas that work in chapters, has an intricate turn-based combat system, and is far more based on classical fantasy tropes than anime ones.
However, the two games do have one major thing in common: elemental reactions. If the thing that makes you love Genshin Impact is how the elements interact, then no other game does it better than Divinity: Original Sin 2. You can make it rain and electrify the water to stun enemies. You can turn a pool of water into a pool of poison, then set fire to it for a massive explosion. You can do a lot, basically, and the game’s incredible.
6. Honkai Impact 3rd
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Alright, look... Hoyoverse also made this, and yes, that means two of the best games like Genshin Impact are from the same developer, but frankly, they are incredibly similar. While Genshin has you steeped in an anime-fantasy world, Honkai Impact 3rd is a lot more sci-fi.
The action feels undoubtedly similar, and while it’s not quite as polished nor as open-world, the battles feel just as immense. So, if you’re looking for another mobile game that fits the bill, Honkai Impact 3rd has you covered. It’s also been out for longer than Genshin, which means there’s even more stuff to do.
7. Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis
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Finally, we have Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis. This MMORPG is completely free-to-play and has a bunch of cosmetics and stuff you can sink money into, but it’s mostly just a big sci-fi fantasy world to jump into. It being an MMORPG also means that there’s not only stuff to do forever but plenty of chances for co-op play.
Unlike many MMOS, Phantasy Star Online 2 has a far more involved and action-focused combat system. This should help scratch that Genshin Impact itches more effectively than something like Final Fantasy XIV, even though the latter is undoubtedly a good game. The visuals are also a bit more anime with PSO too, which is a nice bonus.
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