Genshin Impact mobile review: "Quite simply some of the most and purest fun you can have on a phone in 2024"

GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Check Amazon Check Amazon Pros+Gorgeous and creative open world+Clever elemental combat system+Enormous cast of likable characters Gorgeous and creative open world Clever elemental combat system Enormous cast of likable characters Cons-Heavily time-gated progression-Outdated daily and banner limitations-Huge mobile storage demands Heavily time-gated progression Outdated daily and banner limitations Huge mobile storage demands Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Let me show you the kind of sentence I look forward to after 10 years of game journalism. Genshin Impact feels built for console and PC but also looks great and runs well on your mobile phone. A colder take would be hard to produce, but this is an important part of Genshin Impact’s legacy. The best mobile games have been so good for so long that it’s rare to get that kind of surprise anymore, that technological whiplash and disbelief, but Genshin Impact can still pull it off. What a treat. It’s an exceptional open-world action RPG despite several progression and monetization hangups endemic to the free-to-play gacha space that Genshin helped revolutionize. It is quite simply some of the most and purest fun you can have on a phone in 2024. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. TheMobile Gaming Showis set to reveal the latest and great in mobile gaming. For more recommendations of what to play while on the go, check out ourMobile Gaming Week. From hours to years (Image credit: HoYoverse) Fast Facts - Genshin ImpactRelease date: September 28, 2020Platform(s): Android, iOSDeveloper: In-housePublisher: HoYoverse Fast Facts - Genshin Impact Release date: September 28, 2020Platform(s): Android, iOSDeveloper: In-housePublisher: HoYoverse Release date: September 28, 2020Platform(s): Android, iOSDeveloper: In-housePublisher: HoYoverse Approach Genshin Impact as a live-service, gacha-first experience, however, and you’ll find a whole other beast that can devour years of playtime and, if you let it, inadvisable amounts of money. (For the record, I spend less than $15 a month on it.) You can only explore that world and complete those quests once – so please, savor it – and once you run out ofnewcontent,repeatablecontent becomes your home. Which rare characters and weapons are on the current, rotating rate-up banners? How many days do I have to try and pull them? Should I pull my favorite characters or the strongest ones? (Always your favorites.) Which unflinchingly stingy equipment or resource domain will soak up my daily allowance of time-gated Resin? Did I finish the events and claim all the rewards? Have I done my daily challenges? My weeklies? Mymonthlies? There is no need to engage with Genshin Impact on this level, and you’ll know pretty quickly if you want to. You have tolovethis game to put up with its barbaric RNG and find some kernel of fun in the smallest upgrades and unlocks. I’ve been doing it for four years, and I’ll keep doing it, not just because there is unassailable brilliance under those grindy trappings, but because Genshin’s gacha bones don’t obstruct the moment-to-moment delights. (Image credit: HoYoverse) Strip away the math that definitely ticklesmybrain, and the updates that I can only experience once, and there are still two things that keep me coming back to Genshin Impact after thousands of hours. The big one is a third-person, element-infused combat system that’s almost too good for its own good. That is damning with fine praise, but this system is crying out for a full-fat, buy-to-play game that can just let loose, player retention be damned. It’s that strong. Building a team of four characters presents a fascinating balance of skills and attacks, plus healing and shields. The secret sauce is the way you layer the elements of this world – fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, nature, and ice, for simplicity – to trigger inventive, explosive reactions. More than anything, it’s a pleasure to see Genshin Impact evolve and improve year over year, and to feel those improvements in regular play. The world design and storytelling, especially, are worlds apart from 1.0. The latest patch, version 5.0, is handily the best and most approachable one yet. So you don’t have to spend any money, you don’t have to worry about any monthlies, and you definitely don’t have to do any math. Genshin Impact is a game. Play it! It’s afabulousworld, a fantastical concoction of delicious oceans and enchanted forests, obsidian mountains in the jaws of violet lightning and deserts hiding ancient ruins under paws of sand. Drink it in. Chug it down! And if you’ve had your fill, if there’s no more new content and the repeatable stuff doesn’t do it for you, put it away – until the next update or forever, knowing you’ve had your fun and that it somehow didn’t cost you a dime. Genshin Impact was reviewed on aSamsungGalaxy S23+. Genshin Impact: Price Comparison No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices CATEGORIESMobile GamingPlatforms CATEGORIES More about genshin impactGenshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyoneTwo new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and OroronLatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► More about genshin impactGenshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyoneTwo new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and OroronLatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► More about genshin impactGenshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyoneTwo new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and Ororon More about genshin impact Genshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyoneTwo new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and Ororon Genshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyone Genshin Impact community rallies to pummel one player “shamelessly admitting that I want friends” with so many friend requests that they can barely respond to everyone Two new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and Ororon Two new playable Genshin Impact characters announced for update 5.2: Chasca and Ororon LatestSkeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star WarsSee more latest► Latest Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars Skeleton Crew is everything I never knew we needed from Star Wars See more latest► Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids” Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids” Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids” Most Popular Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket” Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up” Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created” Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships” Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became” Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used” Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”