Is it worth starting Genshin Impact in 2025?

Almost five years after its release, Genshin Impact (official website)continues to be one of the most talked about games and always within the top five highest-grossing Chinese gachas. For years, it was in first place, recently losing to other games like ZZZ or Love and Deepspace.

Released in 2020 by HoYoverse, it has remained relevant thanks to constant updates, map expansions, new characters, and frequent events (and even some controversies). But with so much already released and a well-established veteran player base, it's natural for those who haven't played Genshin Impact to wonder: is it still worth starting Genshin Impact in 2025?

I mean, imagine having to explore the entire five-year-old map to get the materials needed to level up a newly released character? Seeing so many characters you don't have but want without knowing whether you'll have a chance to earn them? Seeing other players with items that can't be acquired because they were released in old events that no longer return. Is it worth jumping into the game now?

The short answer is yes, it is. But there are a few details we need to point out. To better understand whether it's worth entering the world of Teyvat now, we need to understand what's changed, what's the same, and what this means for a new player in 2025. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment.

One of the biggest advantages of starting Genshin now is that the game has a massive, well-structured content. It's at least 15 to 20 hours of gameplay if you play slowly. If you rush through the content, it's at least 8 to 10 hours.

When it launched, there were only two regions: Mondstadt and Liyue. Today, the game features Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, and, most recently, Natlan. This means dozens of hours of exploration across vast maps, diverse biome types, regional soundtracks, characters with their own stories, and a lore that has only deepened over time.

For those who enjoy games focused on exploration, well-crafted side quests, and a fragmented narrative that gradually connects, Genshin Impact in 2025 is a real treat. And unlike many MMOs, here you can play practically everything alone and at your own pace, without rushing and without having to compete or rely directly on other players.

Combat system is still exciting

Even five years later, Genshin's combat system remains one of its strengths. The combination of elements (Pyro, Cryo, Hydro, Electro, Dendro, Anemo, and Geo) creates diverse strategic possibilities, with synergies that directly affect combat performance. The player controls up to four characters on the field, switching between them quickly to trigger elemental reactions.

With the arrival of more characters and new mechanics (such as the introduction of the Dendro element in Sumeru and the focus on triple reactions), the system has gained more depth. And for those interested in builds and team optimization, there's a very active content creation scene, with updated guides, character rankings, and recommended compositions for various types of challenges.

Generous events

Even though it's a free-to-play game with gacha-based monetization, Genshin Impact often offers interesting rewards during its events. Updates occur every six weeks, bringing not only new characters and main story quests, but also minigames, celebratory events, and collectibles.

In 2025, events like the Lantern Rite or the Sabzeruz Festival are still active, offering free characters, upgrade resources, and even exclusive skins. This greatly helps beginners build a functional team without spending any money.

Plenty of content to make life easier for new players

A major advantage of starting Genshin Impact in 2025 is the vast amount of content produced by fans, creators, and experts who’ve already mastered the game. Detailed blogs, tutorial videos, build guides, character analyses, and event strategies are easily found online on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, Discord, and HoYoLAB itself.

This wealth of material helps beginners understand complex mechanics, plan character development, and optimize playtime. Instead of figuring everything out through trial and error, players can rely on reliable, up-to-date sources to advance more confidently and efficiently.

This external support makes getting started less intimidating and paves the way for a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience, especially given the sheer volume of content and the complexity of the combat and progression system.

Smoother progression for beginners

An important point: HoYoverse has made adjustments to the progression pace for new players. Introductory quests are more streamlined; starting characters are still useful, but the new ones make the job incredibly easier! At first, building an ice bridge using just Kaeya and the Anemo Traveler was a real adventure. Now, with Furina, who can walk on water, reaching islands has become a real piece of cake for players. See, for example, what the Amber Glider license test was like before version 4.8. How it was after version 4.8.

The difficulty level is better balanced at the beginning. Many quests that were once more complex are now simpler and easier to complete. Furthermore, with the number of characters already released, there's a greater chance of reruns (repeating banners) and more opportunities to get strong characters even when playing for free. However, with over 80 characters, the one you want may take a while to reappear in the game.

Despite all its positives, the gacha system remains one of the biggest barriers for new players. Getting five-star characters depends on luck or a consistent investment of time and resources. While it's perfectly possible to play for free, those looking to build a specific team or follow the current meta will struggle without investing real money.

This system can also be frustrating for players looking for quick results. And while there are guarantees (like pity, which guarantees a character after a certain number of attempts), the system still revolves around randomness. For those with a more competitive profile or who don't like relying on luck, this can be a significant drawback.

Technical issues and mobile limitations

Genshin is a heavy game. The PC version can take up over 70 GB, while the mobile version consumes a lot of storage (around 30 GB) and processing power. While there are performance improvements and "lite" modes for lower-end devices, the optimal experience remains on more powerful platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox, or high-end mobile devices, such as iOS devices, where the game can be played at 120 FPS.

Those who intend to play exclusively on mobile may encounter issues with FPS drops, loading times, and overheating, as well as the lack of official support for a Bluetooth controller, forcing you to use the touchscreen, which can be difficult for those who want to use archer characters. HoYoverse hasn't abandoned mobile players, but the game is clearly designed to be a premium experience.

Banner characters aren’t immediately usable

One thing many beginners only discover after getting their first character from the limited banner: getting a character from the banner doesn't mean you'll be able to use them right away. To evolve a new character, you need to unlock the region map, the correct domains, raise their Adventure Level to at least 25, and unlock the specific weekly boss that provides the materials required for talents.

This process takes an average of one to two weeks, even playing every day for 1 to 2 hours. In other words, a beginner might get lucky in the gacha, but they'll need to invest several hours just to start building that character. This can be discouraging for those hoping to use their new five-star character right away, and it's a factor that weighs heavily on the experience for beginners.

Advancing to new regions is possible, but the game doesn't make it easy.

Genshin Impact even allows new players to visit some of the newer regions, such as Sumeru, Fontaine, and Natlan, even without having completed the entire previous story. In some cases, you can even unlock artifact domains or farm specific materials ahead of time—especially if you use friend portals or take alternate routes. However, this possibility is neither clear nor encouraged by the game and typically requires the player to already know exactly what they're doing.

Furthermore, certain areas—like Inazuma—still remain completely locked until you progress through the main story and reach specific progression points. And even in regions that are technically accessible, relevant content remains tied to narrative prerequisites: main quests, events, bosses, and domains only truly work when unlocked the "right" way.

In other words, the game does allow you to take shortcuts in some situations, but it doesn't make it easy. There are no fast-track systems designed to help new players quickly reach the current content. Newcomers still need to follow the old order of regions and story to get everything right, which can feel like you're always one step behind the game.

Even with the limitations of the gacha system and the need for a good device to run the game properly, Genshin Impact offers a rich, extensive, and visually stunning experience without charging anything to play. The content accumulated over these five years isn't a barrier, but rather a draw: you have plenty to do right away and can play at your own pace, without pressure.

For those who enjoy open-world RPGs, deep combat systems, and fragmented stories that connect over time, Genshin remains one of the best free options on the market. Just be aware that not everything comes easy or quickly, but that the journey is worth it. And in 2025, that journey is bigger, more beautiful, and more full of possibilities than ever.