Genshin Impact for PC: Free Download, Tips & System Requirements

Genshin Impact is a free open-world action RPG for PC from HoYoverse, available through the official launcher and Epic Games.

You explore the world of Teyvat, switch between a team of elemental characters mid-fight, and solve puzzles tied to wind, fire, water, and ice. There is no subscription. You can play through every region and main story quest without paying anything.

The character system is what sets it apart from most free open-world games. You pull for new playable characters and weapons through a gacha system using in-game currency called Primogems. You can earn Primogems just by playing, or buy them directly if you want to speed things up.

Released September 28, 2020, and still updated on a regular patch cycle today. Runs on Windows 10 and 11. Supports both keyboard and mouse and a plugged-in Xbox or PlayStation controller.

Already playing? Tell us your favorite team comp in the comments below. Got questions before installing? Reach out to us directly.

What You Need to Know

• The full game is free. You only spend money if you choose to buy Genesis Crystals for extra character pulls.
• Progress carries over between PC, mobile, PlayStation, and Xbox through cross-save, as long as you sign in with the same account.
• The game needs close to 100 GB of free storage and grows with every content update.

Genshin Impact is free on the official HoYoverse launcher and on the Epic Games Store for Windows 10 and 11. Both versions use the same account system, so it does not matter which one you pick. You need close to 100 GB of free space before you start.

Install via the Official Launcher or Epic Games

1. Step 1. Go to the official Genshin Impact site or the Epic Games Store page and click Download.
2. Step 2. Run the installer and choose a drive with enough free space for the full install.
3. Step 3. Sign in with an existing HoYoverse account or create one for free.
4. Step 4. Pick your server. This choice matters for cross-save later, so use the same server on every device.
5. Step 5. Wait for the download to finish, then launch the game and complete the short tutorial.
6. Step 6. Pick your starting character and begin the opening story quest in Teyvat.

Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG (a game where you freely explore a connected map and fight in real time rather than through menus) set in the fantasy world of Teyvat. You build a party of four characters, each tied to an element like fire, water, or wind, and swap between them mid-fight to chain elemental reactions.

The world is split into distinct nations, each with its own story arc, culture, and elemental theme. New characters and weapons come from a gacha system (a randomized pull mechanic where you spend in-game currency for a chance at specific rewards) rather than a shop where you pick exactly what you want.

🎮 Our Take

Genshin Impact earned its audience honestly. The exploration and elemental combat are still some of the most polished in any free game, and the steady stream of new regions keeps the world feeling alive years after launch. The gacha system is the real dividing line. You can play through the entire story and most content using only free pulls if you are patient, but pulling for a specific character you want without spending money takes real time and luck.

If you like open-world games and do not mind a slow-burn unlock system, install it and play the early story for free before deciding whether to spend anything. If gacha mechanics put you off on principle, this game will frustrate you no matter how good the combat feels.

FAQ

Support and Community

• 👥 r/Genshin_Impact on Reddit
• 💬 Official Genshin Impact Discord
• 📋 Official news and patch updates