5 free games like Genshin Impact on PC
Genshin Impact set the template: a free open world, real-time combat with a swappable team, anime style and a gacha for characters. Each game below keeps part of that formula and changes the rest — so pick the one that keeps what you loved.
Ranked from the closest to Genshin to the most different. Every game is free on Windows PC, was played by our editor on a mid-range PC, and gets the same S–D verdict as on its full guide. How we rate.
#1Why it feels like Genshin: The nearest thing to Genshin: a free open-world action RPG with anime style, a team you swap mid-fight and a gacha for characters. A 5★ is guaranteed within 80 pulls, a little sooner than Genshin’s 90.
What’s different: Combat is faster and more demanding, built on parries and well-timed swaps rather than elemental reactions. It is also heavier on PC: 150 GB and DirectX 12.
Skip if you want a relaxed, combat-light game, or you play on a Mac.
#2Why it feels like Genshin: Made by HoYoverse, the studio behind Genshin: same polish, same account, and a familiar gacha with an S-rank agent guaranteed within 90 pulls.
What’s different: No big open world to roam. Fights are short, stylish and combo-heavy, in a modern city — and it is the lightest game here to run (GTX 970 minimum).
Skip if you want a huge open world to roam freely, or you don’t like anime style.
#3Why it feels like Genshin: Anime characters, real-time squad combat and a gacha — with one of the fairest starts: the beginner banner guarantees a 6★ within 40 pulls.
What’s different: Half the game is building a factory that keeps running while you explore. It is sci-fi rather than fantasy, and no PvP.
Skip if you want pure action with no base building, or you play on a Mac (on computer, Endfield is Windows only).
#4Why it feels like Genshin: A huge open world to explore freely, with flowing combat and 4-player co-op — the parts of Genshin that make you lose evenings.
What’s different: Realistic wuxia China instead of anime style, and a shop focused on cosmetics: no characters to pull. Plan 130 GB of disk space.
Skip if you’re short on disk space (plan 130 GB or more) or you want quick 20-minute sessions.
Also worth a look: Honkai: Star Rail, another HoYoverse game set in the same style, but with turn-based combat instead of action.
FAQ
- What is the closest game to Genshin Impact on PC?
- Wuthering Waves: it is also a free open-world action RPG with anime style, a swappable team and a gacha. Its combat is faster and more parry-based.
- Is there a game like Genshin Impact without gacha?
- Where Winds Meet: a free open world with co-op, where spending is focused on cosmetics rather than characters.
- Are these games free?
- Yes. All five are free to download and play on Windows PC; the shops sell characters, cosmetics or passes.
- Which game like Genshin runs on a weaker PC?
- Zenless Zone Zero: its minimum is a GTX 970 with 8 GB of RAM and 75 GB of storage.
- Can I play these games on a Mac?
- No. On computer, all five are Windows games; several also exist on PS5 and mobile.
Some buttons are partner links: we may earn a commission if you install, at no cost to you. It never decides the order (how we make money). Facts come from each game’s full guide, where sources are listed.