Genshin Impact
Genre: Co-op RPG | Developer: miHoYo | Platform: PC, PS4/5, Android, iOS | Release Date: September 28, 2020 | Model: Free2Play
What is Genshin Impact? Genshin Impact is a Free2Play co-op RPG from the Chinese studio miHoYo in anime style. It resembles Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which led Zelda fans to destroy a PS4 in protest.
In a team of up to 4 characters, between whom you can switch, you undertake various quests, follow an exciting story, and explore the open game world of Teyvat. You level up not only your characters but also your adventure rank, which unlocks further experiences in the game.
Genshin Impact offers diverse gameplay with its many characters and weapons. The special feature is the elements of the characters and how they interact with each other.
In the RPG, there are fire, water, cryo, anemo (wind), and electro elements. More will follow later. Each character comes with 2 special abilities that you can skillfully connect. For instance, if you attack an enemy with a water attack, they become wet. If you then attack with cryo, a reaction occurs and the enemy freezes.
This allows for various powerful combos, especially in challenging dungeons and challenges. Simply beating on enemies often doesn’t work well here.
In co-op mode, your friends can complement your team. There are never more than 4 characters in the active team. If you play as a duo, each player controls two characters. The co-op mode is somewhat limited and your friends take on a supportive position only. They cannot interact with quest givers, open chests, or activate dungeons.
Currently, only 2 regions can be explored in Genshin Impact, with more to follow as the game continues to develop. However, you can already invest hundreds of hours into the game without getting bored.
In addition to the main story that runs through all regions of the game, there are numerous side missions, character-specific quests, and plenty of events that change regularly and always provide something to do.
The Free2Play Model of Genshin Impact
How free is it really? Genshin Impact can be downloaded and played for free on any platform. Essentially, you can experience all game content in the co-op RPG without any real-money investment. However, it features a “Gacha” system with randomized loot boxes.
In Genshin Impact, there are several currencies that you can obtain – except one – in the game world.
- Mora
- Fates
- Genesis Crystals (Available only in the Shop)
With Fates, you can purchase them in the Shop for prayers, which are essentially the loot boxes in the game and give you the chance to obtain new characters and weapons. Most characters can only be obtained through these prayers.
Mora is the typical in-game currency, essentially the gold in Genshin Impact. You use Mora to buy everyday items from the merchants in the city, and you also need it to upgrade characters and items.
Genesis Crystals are a typical premium currency that you can only purchase with real money. With them, you can exchange for Fates in the Shop and acquire various bonus packages with different resources.
In the Shop, you can also purchase a premium upgrade for the Battle Pass and subscribe monthly, where you receive additional Fates for daily logins.
You can find more information about the Shop and the Gacha system in our Gacha FAQ.
The Shop is generally very fair, and Genshin Impact can be enjoyed entirely without real-money investment. However, if you want a specific character and lack patience, you will likely have to visit the Shop to stock up on Fates. The drop chance is so low that some players spend several thousand euros to obtain their favorite character.
The Pros and Cons of Genshin Impact
Who is Genshin Impact suitable for? This coop RPG is especially suitable for fans of open worlds that invite exploration. Zelda fans will fall in love with the visuals, and anime fans will also appreciate the style. The battles are action-packed and the elemental combinations encourage strategic thinking.
Genshin Impact is excellent for casual gaming, leisurely exploration, and quickly completing daily tasks. But hardcore players will also find enough to do here to spend countless hours in the game and master every challenge.
Valorant
Genre: Hero Shooter | Developer: Riot Games | Platform: PC | Release Date: June 2, 2020 | Model: Free2Play
What is Valorant? Valorant is a tactical hero shooter from the makers of League of Legends. It offers a mix of fast, tactical battles like in Counter Strike combined with iconic characters and their unique abilities like in Overwatch.
With 14 different heroes and dozens of weapons, you can create and develop your own playstyle in Valorant. In the fast-paced rounds, you will fight in a team against 5 other players and must score points with map understanding, accuracy, and strong team play. You either need to plant or defuse a bomb as a team.
The various winding maps also offer unusual features like teleporters. These add additional strategic components but are not the focus of the maps.
The Free2Play Model of Valorant
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Valorant
Legends of Runeterra
Genre: Card Game | Developer: Riot Games | Platform: PC, Android, iOS | Release Date: April 28, 2020 | Model: Free2Play
What is Legends of Runeterra? Legends of Runeterra is a strategic card game by Riot Games set in the world of League of Legends. While it is similar to Blizzard’s Hearthstone, it has a more pronounced tactical component.
In Legends of Runeterra, you compete against another player with a self-built deck of 40 cards from a total of over 300 cards. Instant spells, champion leveling, and switching between attacker and defender each round create a lot of dynamics.
Additionally, you can look forward to iconic characters from the League of Legends universe and some upcoming content. Riot plans to keep Legends of Runeterra supplied with content for years to come.
Tips for getting started with the free card game can be found in the MeinMMO Beginner’s Guide to Legends of Runeterra.
The Free2Play model of Legends of Runeterra
How free is it really? Legends of Runeterra is considered very fair by players. For example, there are no packs with random cards for sale in the shop; instead, they are offered individually.
One might call such a shop system Pay2Win, meaning purchased victory. Those who spend real money can directly buy the strongest cards. However, even without real money investment, you can quickly get cards and win rounds through tactical superiority.
The Pros and Cons of Legends of Runeterra
Who is Legends of Runeterra suitable for: The tactical card game is especially suitable for fans of Hearthstone looking for a greater challenge. Players of Magic: the Gathering can relax more here without having to miss out on card games.
But beginners can also check out Legends of Runeterra due to the well-explained tutorials. Last but not least, League of Legends fans will find what they are looking for because of the characters if they enjoy card games.
