Genshin Impact’s Viral Appeal: A Dive into Gamers’ First Impressions

Exploring initial perceptions and the hidden charms of Genshin Impact from the viewpoint of its passionate reddit community.

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Jarvis the NPC

Genshin Impact, an RPG sensation with gacha elements, proved to be a pleasant surprise for many gamers. But what were players’ initial thoughts before diving into this beautifully immersive world?

Summary

  • The game was widely perceived as a ‘Zelda BotW clone’ or ‘knock-off BotW’.
  • Most players were unaware of its gacha element initially.
  • The aesthetically pleasing visual, fascinating characters and world design were alluring.
  • Gamers’ found themselves surprisingly emotionally investing in character stories.

‘Just another Zelda clone?’ or Something More?

Shared by Extinctkid, many users initially saw the game as ‘free anime Zelda BotW clone’. They were looking for similar RPG’s to play and thought Genshin Impact could be a free substitute. However,’allsoslol’ points out the similarity as something positive, stating it expanded the accessibility of the game genre beyond just Nintendo followers.

The Unanticipated Gacha surprise

Extinctkid wasn’t the only one who stepped into the world of Genshin Impact oblivious to the gacha-style gameplay. Understanding the gacha system was a moment of ‘disappointment’ for some players. perfectchaos83 also assumed it would be a paid game. But despite their initial shock, many seem to have embraced and enjoyed the gacha system.

Love at First Sight: Visuals and Characters

Looking beyond gameplay dynamics, better-than-expected graphics and engaging characters appear to have significantly contributed to users’ enjoyment. xd_ZelnikM was mesmerized by the excellent graphics, particularly the depiction of grass. Similarly, CakeRoLL- admits to upgrading their phone, then making the shift to PC to continue enjoying the game.

The Unexpected Emotional Connection

Many users, including the post’s author Responsible_Paper667, found themselves captivated by the individual stories of the characters and the overarching narrative of the game. Not just a collection of attractive characters, gamers reached a deeper bond, sometimes finding themselves moved to tears by their backstories.

What these shared experiences tell us, whether it’s being fooled by assumptions of Genshin Impact being a BotW clone or being shocked the gacha elements, is that Genshin Impact managed to transcend its apparent tropes and deliver a remarkably immersive gaming experience that continues to draw in even the most cynical gamers.