Genshin Impact’s Teyvat is a deceptively complicated world of heroes, dragons, and humanity’s struggle to ascend to godhood. Behind its candy-colored exterior lies a complex system of reincarnation, divinity, and war that might even leaveElder Scrollsenthusiasts scratching their heads. Much of Teyvat’s world structure takes inspiration from real world beliefs like Gnosticism, demonology, Kabbalah and more. While fantasy games are no strangers to borrowing from fairytales and mysticism, this level of cultural complexity (outside ofMMORPGs likeWoW) is rare.
Genshin Impact’sTeyvat is a world where gods live among humanity. Seven gods, called Archons, rule seven nations. Each nation has a corresponding element and culture. The balance of the world depends on each Archon’s will for their respective region. While the level of power and influence varies across the currently known Archons, they overall appear to be less malicious thanThe Elder Scrolls' Daedra, but not as benevolent asThe Legend of Zelda’s goddesses. One of their powers involves the distribution of magical items called visions, which correspond to each region’s elemental power. Only the worthy are chosen to wield these visions, and only the exceptional among the chosen have the power to become gods.
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Ascension to godhood is a theme in many fantasy games, fromDivinity: Original Sin 2toOkami.Genshin Impacttakes a different approach, likely due to its core themes based in Gnosticism. The items that appear to grant the Archons their power are called gnosis, a sort of upgraded form of visions. The idea of the gnosis is based on Gnosticism’s concept by the same name, where divine understanding can ascend a human to godhood.
The nations in Teyvatare as varied as their elements, taking inspiration from many real-world places and legends, including medieval Germany, Ancient China, Edo-Period Japan, and legends of the Middle East. The world feels alive and diverse. The usual idea for a fantasy game is a unified region with a few cultures scattered about, likeinDragon AgeorSkyrim. One culture tends to be dominant while others take a more supportive role. Part of the charm ofGenshin Impactis traveling around the world and experiencing the different cultures, each with their own unique storylines.
The World of Teyvat is Massive
Genshin Impactis difficult to compare with other single-player games in the genre, largely due to the complicated world building and diversity in the cultures represented. Most single player RPGs tend to be devoted to one region within a wider world, as seen inThe Elder ScrollsorPokemon.Genshin Impacttakes a more MMO-styled approach to its world building, similar toDragon Age: Inquisition.Each region has its own storyline connecting to the wider world, thoughGenshin Impact’s world feels more global thanInquisition.
Teyvat is structured this way for a reason. Most fantasy games appeal to one kind of aesthetic, be that Western, Eastern, high or dark fantasy.Genshin Impactpresents something familiar to players all around the world while also exposing them to the beauty of other cultures. The anime art style helps with this, unifying cultural styles into a seamless, beautiful world. WhileGenshin Impactborrows heavily from the real world, it doesn’t just copy and paste. For every borrowed idea is two more unique ideas – from the carefully thought out designs of the characters, to the orchestral music that brings the world to life. The end result is a fantasticopen world RPGthat encourages the player to explore.
Genshin Impactis available for Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5, with a Switch version in development.
