Alex Gibson
Tower of Fantasy
Arguably the closest game to Genshin Impact in terms of its aesthetic, Tower of Fantasy was clearly inspired by miHoYo’s success and is its own take on a F2P RPG for both PC and mobile. Twinfinite previewed the game earlier this year and found much to like about it, calling it a perfect alternative to Genshin Impact. Tower of Fantasy features deep RPG mechanics, a similarly pretty anime-like open-world to Genshin Impact, and a gacha system that will also feel familiar. The storylines and characters aren’t quite as compelling, though, which is such a beloved aspect of Genshin Impact. To be fair, that’s partly because Tower of Fantasy is more of a conventional MMO experience, and so it’s the multiplayer gameplay that is its main focus.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The build-up to Genshin Impact’s release saw articles aplenty comparing the game to Nintendo’s storied Zelda series, and Breath of the Wild especially. It was hardly surprising, of course, given that at the time, there were only a few open-world titles that had featured the stylized, cel-shaded aesthetic that both Nintendo and MiHoyo’s games have in common. Beyond some of the similar survival systems such as cooking, both games generally have a similarly vibrant, charming sort of vibe to them. Honestly, though, that’s more or less where the similarities end. Genshin Impact and Breath of the Wild are quite different gameplay experiences, and the way in which their respective stories unfold are also unlike. Genshin Impact isn’t nearly the clone of Breath of the Wild that many considered it was at first glance. Still, don’t let any of this hold you back from trying Breath of the Wild if you’re a Genshin Impact fan. It’s absolutely one of the best open-world action/adventure games ever made. Read Twinfinite’s review of Breath of the Wild for more detailed impressions.
Honkai Impact 3rd
Technically speaking, if you’re after a Genshin Impact-like, then you can’t really look past developer miHoYo’s previous game, Honkai Impact 3rd. It’s essentially the template, from an overall design perspective, on which Genshin Impact was based, though the two games are somewhat different in terms of how they play. There’s still the same anime-like charm to its aesthetic and storyline, and the combat features many similarities to Genshin Impact, as does the emphasis on dungeon-running in either solo or multiplayer modes. There’s a gacha system, too, if you like that aspect of Genshin Impact. The design of its levels, however, is different; Honkai Impact 3rd is not an open-world experience. Instead, it’s a more linear affair with various mini-games such as bullet hell shoot em’ up gameplay, platforming, and other seasonal events separating the main combat of the game.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
After the success of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Genshin Impact, it wasn’t long before Ubisoft got busy planning its own cel-shaded open-world game to compete. The result was Immortals, Fenyx Rising, a Zelda-like with a stronger focus on RPG mechanics and the typical loot-gathering design of other Ubisoft games like Assassin’s Creed. In fact, Immortal Fenyx Rising was developed by the same team behind Assassin’s Creed Origins, the very first of the series to include a heavier emphasis on RPG design and a favorite amongst fans. If you like the idea of that same open-world gameplay fused with a vibrant world full of fantastical beings and whimsical mythology then Immortals Fenyx Rising is one to play.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom
Along with its predecessor, Wrath White Witch, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom is a sublime JRPG experience that is a must-play for Genshin Impact fans. Especially in the case of Revenant Kingdom, there are many similarities in the battle system and overall focus on exploration. Those who adore the anime-like qualities of Genshin Impact, too, will find both Ni No Kuni games exceeding expectations with their superb cutscenes — especially the original game, which had animation from Studio Ghibli! The overall story and characters are also brilliant in both games, with gripping plots to keep you locked in throughout. To top things off, both games feature compelling catch-em’ all Pokemon-like monster battling that creates an addictive sub-game. Revenant Kingdom even has a kingdom-building mechanic as well, which tasks you with creating a sprawling city to call home. Twinfinite absolutely adored Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom and scored the game 5/5 in its review back in 2018.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age
Arguably the best Dragon Quest game to date, Echoes of an Elusive Age delivers a gameplay experience adored by hardcore fans of the series and newcomers alike. It’s both the quintessential enthusiast JRPG and the perfect entry point in equal measure. It also shares much in common with Genshin Impact in terms of its visual style and overall vibe. Dragon Quest XI’s combat is slightly different, though, with a turn-based system as opposed to real-time. It does, however, put a slightly different spin on the conventional turn-based loop by allowing players to move around freely in real-time during battles. And if you’re a fan of the deep, engaging RPG mechanics in Genshin Impact, then you’ll feel right at home with DQXI. You can read Twinfinite’s glowing review of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age for more.
Tales of Arise
The Tales series has long been a mainstay of the JRPG scene, having been around now for over a decade. Its most recent game, Tales of Arise, is among the best thanks to its refined combat mechanics and superb presentation, which includes charming anime-like cutscenes. The story itself is familiar JRPG stuff and doesn’t stray too far from the Tales blueprint, which is a bummer for returning fans craving a point of difference in regards to the narrative. Still, it’s hardly offensive — just more of the same, which honestly isn’t really a bad thing when the real meat and potatoes of the experience is Tales’ compelling gameplay and deep RPG systems. For a full overview of Twinfinite’s impressions, check out our review from last year.
Persona 5: Royale
The Persona franchise is a high watermark for the entire JRPG scene, and Persona 5 Royale might be the best game in the series yet. It’s an expanded version of an already brilliant original game, which features sublime storytelling and characters, and one of the most compelling turn-based combat systems in any game ever. In terms of similarities to Genshin Impact, it’s hardly the same sort of open-world exploration experience, given the game takes place in the suburbs of Tokyo and a mysterious alternative realm ruled by twisted versions of the adults they encounter in their real lives. But if you enjoy anime-like storytelling and adore JRPG battle mechanics, then Persona 5 is a must-play. Twinfinite’s 2020 review of the game concluded: “There is truly a staggering amount of new content in Persona 5 Royal, and I honestly felt giddy trying to wrap my head around all of it. The highest form of praise I can give to Royal is that every single new addition and improvement helps to improve the game and make it an even richer experience.“ This article includes affiliate links, which may provide small compensation to Twinfinite.
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