Genshin Impact

The blockbuster free open-world gacha RPG — explore Teyvat solo or in co-op.

HoYoverseSince 2020

Play Genshin Impact free

By the FreeMMO Compass editorial teamReviewed: September 2026Our methodology

Our score

0,0/10

Excellent

Verdict

The game that made gacha mainstream. Genshin Impact is a gorgeous open-world action-RPG where you explore, solve puzzles and fight with an elemental combat system, then build a roster of characters pulled from its gacha banners. The world and exploration are genuinely free and enormous; the gacha is only for new characters and weapons.

About Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is the game that took gacha mainstream. It's a sweeping open-world action-RPG set in Teyvat, where you climb, glide and puzzle your way across a genuinely huge world, fighting with an elemental combat system that rewards clever team combinations. Solo or in drop-in co-op, the exploration and story are completely free.

The gacha only comes in for new characters and weapons — everything else, including the enormous world and main campaign, costs nothing. The endgame is light and the pull for new five-stars is real, but as a free open-world adventure it's remarkably generous and still one of the best-looking games on mobile and PC alike.

Screenshots from Genshin Impact

What we like

✓ Huge, beautiful open world
✓ Free exploration and story
✓ Cross-platform with cross-save

What to know

× Gacha for new characters
× Endgame is thin

At a glance

SettingAnime

PlatformsPC · PlayStation · Mobile

Browser playableNo

DeveloperHoYoverse

Released2020

ModelFree to play

How to play Genshin Impact for free

Getting into Genshin Impact takes about a minute:

It's free to play — no purchase needed to begin.
Available on PC, PlayStation, Mobile.
Download the free client and create an account.
Hit “Play Genshin Impact free” and jump in.

The bottom line

Genshin Impact earns 8.2/10 in our review. We'd call it excellent. You'll enjoy it for huge, beautiful open world and free exploration and story; just go in knowing gacha for new characters. It's a free download on PC, PlayStation, Mobile, so trying it costs you nothing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Genshin Impact free to play?

Yes. Genshin Impact is free to start — The blockbuster free open-world gacha RPG — explore Teyvat solo or in co-op. There may be optional in-game purchases or premium tiers, but getting in costs nothing.

What platforms is Genshin Impact on?

Genshin Impact is available on PC, PlayStation, Mobile.

Can you play Genshin Impact in a browser?

No — Genshin Impact needs a download or client and doesn't run in the browser.

Who made Genshin Impact and when did it release?

Genshin Impact was developed by HoYoverse and released in 2020.