Genshin Impact
So if you’ve heard anything about Genshin Impact, at some point you’ve probably come across rumors that the game is a rip-off or clone of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Below, you can find the gameplay trailer so you can see for yourself whether or not it really is a BotW clone. If you watch it, I’m sure you can find quite a few similarities in terms of aesthetics and gameplay, but I assure you there’s much more than meets the eye.
Brought to you by MiHoyo, the developers of Honkai Impact 3rd, Genshin Impact already has one major difference from BotW at first glance. If you hadn’t noticed, this game is largely anime-themed. The combat system also seems to be completely different from that of BotW. The attacks, from the basic attacks to the specials, are much more eye-catching and flashier.
So, did Genshin Impact draw inspiration from Breath of the Wild? Well yes, probably. And for good reason. BotW is an amazing game and there shouldn’t be any shame in basing some aspects of a new game on it. But to say that Genshin Impact is a straight rip-off or clone or BotW is just disrespectful and unfair to the developers.
If you took just a little bit of time to delve deeper into the world of Genshin Impact, you would see that the game is based in a completely different setting and that the only real similar aspect to BotW is the aesthetics.
Here’s a brief synopsis of the story taken from the official Genshin Impact website:
You have arrived in Teyvat — a fantasy world where the seven elements flow and converge.
In the distant past, the Archons granted mortals unique elemental abilities. With the help of such powers, people formed a bountiful homeland out of the wilderness. However, 500 years ago, the collapse of an ancient civilization turned the universe upside down… Though the calamity the world suffered has ceased, peace has yet to be restored.
You, as the main character, are a traveler drifted from another world who has awoken in this land. You will explore this wondrous world freely, make friends along the way, and look for “The Seven” — Archons of the seven elements. Every piece of your adventure will unearth something miraculous, and the lost will eventually be found.
Summary
Overall, everything about this game including the art, graphics, and music, is just absolutely gorgeous and stunning. The gameplay and combat system are beautifully done and seem incredibly engaging and dynamic. Though you would be right in saying that Genshin Impact did in fact grab some bits and pieces from BotW, namely the aesthetics, graphics style, and even some of the mechanics, that doesn’t take anything away from Genshin Impact as its own game. No matter what everyone else is saying about Genshin Impact, I’m personally super excited for it and can’t wait to grab it when it comes out.
Genshin Impact is scheduled to launch in Spring 2020 and will be coming to PS4.
