13 Best Games Like Genshin Impact to Play in 2026

The best game like Genshin Impact is Wuthering Waves. It is the closest match for open-world exploration, character swapping and flashy elemental-style combat, and it is still getting major story updates in 2026. If you want something brand new, Neverness to Everness launched worldwide in April 2026 with a modern city open world, and if you would rather skip gacha entirely, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are the games that inspired much of Genshin’s exploration in the first place.

Below are 13 of the best games like Genshin Impact, split between free-to-play gacha games and paid games you buy once. For each one you get the platforms, the combat style, and exactly how it compares to Genshin. Further down you will find a comparison table, tips for choosing between gacha and non-gacha games, and answers to common questions.

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Best Games Like Genshin Impact at a Glance

• Closest overall: Wuthering Waves
• Best new release of 2026: Neverness to Everness
• Best HoYoverse alternative: Honkai: Star Rail
• Best fast-action gacha: Zenless Zone Zero
• Best strategy twist: Arknights: Endfield
• Best relaxing open world: Infinity Nikki
• Best non-gacha alternative: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
• Best Genshin-style game on PlayStation and Xbox: Immortals Fenyx Rising

Quick Comparison Table

Free-to-Play Gacha Games Like Genshin Impact

These seven games share Genshin’s free-to-play model and live updates. All are free to download, and character or outfit pulls are optional. Because they are digital-only live-service games, there are no boxed editions to recommend for this group.

1. Wuthering Waves: Closest Game to Genshin Impact

Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android | Genre: Open-world action RPG | Developer: Kuro Games | Released: 2024 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Wuthering Waves is the game most often recommended to Genshin players, and for good reason. You explore a large open world, climb, glide and grapple across the map, and build a three-character team you can swap between mid-fight. Combat is faster and more technical than Genshin’s, with parries, dodge counters and swap-in finishers that reward good timing.

Its Echo system lets you capture defeated enemies and use them as summons and gear, adding a monster-collecting layer Genshin does not have. After a rough launch, Kuro Games steadily improved the game, and it won the Player’s Voice award at The Game Awards 2025. Major story chapters continue to roll out in 2026, so there is plenty to explore.

• How it compares: very similar structure, with more demanding combat and a darker post-apocalyptic tone.
• Skip it if: you prefer Genshin’s slower, puzzle-focused exploration.

2. Neverness to Everness: Best New Genshin-Like of 2026

Platforms: PC, PS5, Mac, iOS, Android | Genre: Urban open-world action RPG | Developer: Hotta Studio (Perfect World) | Released: April 29, 2026 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Neverness to Everness, usually shortened to NTE, takes the Genshin formula into a modern supernatural city. Instead of fantasy meadows, you explore city streets, drive vehicles, and investigate strange anomalies, which is why many players describe it as Genshin meets an urban open world. Combat is real-time with character swapping and elemental-style synergies.

It launched worldwide on April 29, 2026, with full cross-play and cross-progression across PC, PS5 and mobile, and arrived on Steam and the Epic Games Store in July 2026. It drew strong launch numbers and is regularly praised for relatively generous monetization compared with other gacha games.

• How it compares: same team-swap action, but a contemporary city instead of a fantasy world.
• Skip it if: you want classic high fantasy, or you play on Xbox, where it is not available.

3. Honkai: Star Rail: Best HoYoverse Alternative

Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android | Genre: Turn-based RPG | Developer: HoYoverse | Released: 2023 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Honkai: Star Rail comes from the same studio as Genshin, and it shows in the character design, music, voice acting and polish. The big difference is combat: battles are turn-based, so team building and ability order matter more than reflexes. You travel between planets aboard the Astral Express, each with its own culture and storyline.

Many players run Star Rail alongside Genshin because the daily routine is shorter and the turn-based combat is easier to play on a phone. Its writing is often considered sharper and funnier than Genshin’s.

• How it compares: HoYoverse quality and style, but turn-based combat and less open exploration.
• Skip it if: real-time action is the part of Genshin you love most.

4. Zenless Zone Zero: Best Fast-Action Gacha

Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android | Genre: Action RPG | Developer: HoYoverse | Released: 2024 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s most combat-focused game. It swaps open-world exploration for stylish, stage-based action set in New Eridu, a neon city built around dangerous dimensional rifts. Fights are fast, with perfect dodges, parries and chain attacks as you swap between three agents.

The urban style, music and character animation are standouts. It suits Genshin players who enjoy combat and character collecting but find the open world’s busywork tiring.

• How it compares: the same gacha and team-building loop, with much faster combat and less exploration.
• Skip it if: exploring a big world is your favorite part of Genshin.

5. Arknights: Endfield: Best Strategy Twist

Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android | Genre: Real-time 3D RPG with factory building | Developer: Hypergryph (Mountain Contour) | Released: January 22, 2026 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Arknights: Endfield is a spin-off of the popular tower defense game, rebuilt as a 3D real-time RPG. You lead a squad of up to four Operators across the moon Talos-II, combining skills and elemental synergies in combat. The twist is base building: you construct and automate factories and supply lines between fights, which adds a strategic layer Genshin never had.

It launched worldwide in January 2026 after passing tens of millions of pre-registrations, and it has since added limited-time modes. It supports controllers on every platform, and the PC version supports high frame rates.

• How it compares: similar character collecting and team combat, plus factory and logistics strategy.
• Skip it if: base building and automation sound like a chore.

6. Infinity Nikki: Best Relaxing Open World

Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android | Genre: Open-world dress-up adventure | Developer: Infold Games | Released: 2024 | Price: Free to play with gacha

Infinity Nikki takes the long-running fashion series and turns it into a cozy, gorgeous open world. You explore, platform, solve puzzles and complete quests, but the gacha focuses on outfits rather than characters, and each outfit can grant abilities such as gliding or purifying.

There is very little combat, so it suits Genshin players who most enjoy wandering the world, taking photos and finding secrets.

• How it compares: Genshin-style exploration without the combat pressure.
• Skip it if: you want fighting and team building.

7. Where Winds Meet: Best Wuxia Open World

Platforms: PC, PS5 | Genre: Open-world wuxia action RPG | Developer: Everstone Studio (NetEase) | Released: 2025 | Price: Free to play

Where Winds Meet is set in a martial arts version of ancient China, and it captures the feel of a classic wuxia story. You run across rooftops, glide over valleys, master weapon styles and martial arts techniques, and explore a huge, detailed world with plenty of side stories.

Unlike most entries in this section, it does not use a character gacha. You play a single customizable hero, which appeals to Genshin fans who are tired of pulling for characters.

• How it compares: similar free-to-play open-world scale, but with one hero and martial arts combat.
• Skip it if: you love collecting a big roster of characters.

Non-Gacha Games Like Genshin Impact

These games capture what makes Genshin fun, such as open exploration, anime-style parties and colorful worlds, but you pay once and get the full game with no banners, energy timers or daily chores.

8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: Best Non-Gacha Alternative

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 Edition | Genre: Open-world action adventure | Developer: Nintendo | Released: 2017

Nintendo Zelda: Breath of the Wild

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If Genshin’s climbing, gliding, cooking and shrine-style puzzles feel familiar, that is because Breath of the Wild did them first. It drops you into a ruined Hyrule with almost no guidance and lets you go anywhere, solving puzzles with physics, fire, wind and electricity.

You buy it once and get the full game with no gacha or daily tasks. The Switch 2 Edition adds visual improvements and extra features for players on Nintendo’s newer console.

• How it compares: the exploration blueprint Genshin built on, without monetization.
• Skip it if: you want a large cast of playable characters.

9. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: Best for Creative Players

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 Edition | Genre: Open-world action adventure | Developer: Nintendo | Released: 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo Switch (US Version)

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Tears of the Kingdom expands Hyrule with sky islands and a vast underground layer, and adds building powers that let you glue objects together into vehicles, weapons and contraptions. It is one of the most creative open-world games ever made.

It has a stronger story than its predecessor and offers well over a hundred hours of exploration. Play Breath of the Wild first if you can, but either game works on its own.

• How it compares: even more freedom than Genshin, with a full building system.
• Skip it if: you only want anime-style character action.

10. Immortals Fenyx Rising: Best on PlayStation, Xbox and PC

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Genre: Open-world action adventure | Developer: Ubisoft Quebec | Released: 2020

Immortals Fenyx Rising PlayStation 5 Standard Edition

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Immortals Fenyx Rising borrows heavily from Breath of the Wild and wraps it in Greek mythology with a bright, cartoonish look that feels close to Genshin. You climb, glide, solve vault puzzles and fight mythical creatures with a mix of sword, axe and bow attacks.

It is light, funny and colorful, and it is available on almost every platform, which makes it the best Genshin-style choice if you do not own a Nintendo console.

• How it compares: similar climb-glide-puzzle loop and vibrant tone, no gacha.
• Skip it if: you want a party of characters instead of one hero.

11. Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition: Best Huge Party RPG

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 Edition | Genre: Open-world JRPG | Developer: Monolith Soft | Released: 2025 (original 2015)

Xenoblade Chronicles™ X: Definitive Edition

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Xenoblade Chronicles X drops you on Mira, an enormous alien planet filled with towering creatures, and lets you explore it on foot and later in giant mechs called Skells. Combat is real-time with party members, arts and combos, and the world is one of the largest Nintendo has ever made.

The Definitive Edition brought the Wii U original to Switch with improved visuals and new story content. It is ideal for Genshin players who love exploration and party-based combat.

• How it compares: bigger world, party combat and mechs, no gacha.
• Skip it if: you dislike complex RPG menus.

12. Tales of Arise: Best Anime-Style Story RPG

Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Genre: Action JRPG | Developer: Bandai Namco | Released: 2021

Tales of Arise delivers the anime art, colorful party and dramatic story many Genshin fans love, but in a complete single-player package. Combat is real-time and combo-heavy, with party members joining in for flashy boost strikes.

It is not a fully open world, but its regions are large and beautiful. It is a great choice if Genshin’s characters and cutscenes are what keep you playing.

• How it compares: anime party and fast combat, with a finished story and no gacha.
• Skip it if: open-world freedom is essential.

13. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered: Best Storybook Fantasy

Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC | Genre: JRPG | Developer: Level-5 (with Studio Ghibli animation) | Released: 2019 (original 2011)

Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch: Remastered (PS4)

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Ni no Kuni is a heartfelt fantasy adventure with animated sequences by Studio Ghibli and a score by Joe Hisaishi. You explore a magical world map, recruit creature companions called familiars and battle in real time with your party.

It is gentler and more old-fashioned than Genshin, but its art style and sense of wonder make it a natural pick for players who love Mondstadt’s storybook charm.

• How it compares: a cozy, beautifully animated fantasy without gacha.
• Skip it if: you want modern open-world movement.

More Games Like Genshin Impact Worth a Look

• Honkai Impact 3rd: HoYoverse’s older, faster action game, for players who want stage-based combat.
• Persona 5 Royal: a stylish anime RPG with turn-based combat and a long, complete story.
• Duet Night Abyss: a fantasy action RPG often mentioned in Genshin-alternative lists.
• Tower of Fantasy: Hotta Studio’s earlier sci-fi open-world gacha game.
• On the radar: Ananta and The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin are two of the most-watched upcoming Genshin-style games.

How We Chose These Games

This list is based on research, not lab testing. We studied the top-ranking games like Genshin Impact guides, official game announcements, platform listings and recent news coverage to find the games most often recommended and why. We scored each candidate on:

• Similarity: open-world exploration, team or party combat, anime or stylized art, and character progression.
• Quality and support: critical reception and, for live-service games, whether updates are still coming in 2026.
• Variety: both gacha and non-gacha options, plus turn-based, action and relaxing picks.
• Platform reach: we included games for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile.

Release dates and platforms were checked against official sources as of October 2026.

Gacha vs Non-Gacha: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a gacha game if

You enjoy collecting characters, following ongoing story updates and logging in regularly. Games such as Wuthering Waves and Honkai: Star Rail are free to start and can be enjoyed without spending, as long as you are patient with pulls.

Choose a non-gacha game if

You want a complete experience with no daily tasks, limited banners or spending pressure. Zelda, Immortals Fenyx Rising and Xenoblade give you everything for a one-time purchase.

Watch your time and spending

Running several gacha games at once can turn into a second job. Most players are happiest with one main gacha game and one side game. If you spend money, set a monthly limit and favor value packs such as monthly passes over random pulls.

Platform and hardware tips

Modern gacha games are demanding on phones. If your phone struggles, the PC or PS5 versions usually look and run better, and most support cross-progression so you can switch devices. A controller makes action-heavy games like Wuthering Waves and Zenless Zone Zero more comfortable on PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What game is most similar to Genshin Impact?

Wuthering Waves is the game most similar to Genshin Impact. It shares the open-world exploration, climbing and gliding, three-character team swapping and free-to-play gacha model, but adds faster, more technical combat and a monster-capture Echo system.

Is there a game like Genshin Impact without gacha?

Yes. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom offer very similar exploration with no gacha. Immortals Fenyx Rising, Xenoblade Chronicles X and Tales of Arise are also strong one-time-purchase alternatives.

What is the newest game like Genshin Impact?

Neverness to Everness is one of the newest, launching worldwide on April 29, 2026 for PC, PS5, Mac and mobile. Arknights: Endfield, released on January 22, 2026, is another recent option.

Are games like Genshin Impact free?

Most gacha games like Genshin Impact, including Wuthering Waves, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero and Neverness to Everness, are free to download and play, with optional in-game purchases. Non-gacha alternatives such as Zelda are paid games.

What games like Genshin Impact are on PS5?

Wuthering Waves, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero, Neverness to Everness, Arknights: Endfield, Infinity Nikki and Where Winds Meet are all on PS5. Immortals Fenyx Rising and Tales of Arise are good paid options.

Is Honkai: Star Rail like Genshin Impact?

Partly. Honkai: Star Rail is made by HoYoverse, so its art, music and gacha system feel very similar, but its combat is turn-based and exploration is more limited. Many players enjoy both side by side.

Which Game Like Genshin Impact Should You Play?

If you want the closest experience, start with Wuthering Waves. If you want something new and different, try Neverness to Everness and its modern city. Players who love HoYoverse’s style but want a lighter daily routine should pick Honkai: Star Rail, while combat fans should go for Zenless Zone Zero. Strategy lovers will enjoy Arknights: Endfield, and relaxed explorers should try Infinity Nikki. If you are done with gacha, grab Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom on Switch, or Immortals Fenyx Rising on PlayStation, Xbox or PC.

Last updated: October 2026.