Best Genshin Impact Alternatives
Reviewed
The top-ranked Genshin Impact alternative is Honkai: Star Rail (Free). The best free option is Wuthering Waves.
Genshin Impact is a free open-world action RPG with gacha character collection and elemental combat. People seek alternatives for different art styles, less grind, or fresh open-world adventures.
1Honkai: Star Rail
FreeTurn-based space fantasy RPG from the makers of Genshin.
2Wuthering Waves
FreeOpen-world action RPG with fast combat and gacha collection.
3Honkai Impact 3rd
FreeFast-paced action RPG with anime characters and story.
Tower of Fantasy
FreeShared open-world MMORPG with sci-fi anime aesthetics.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
PaidAcclaimed open-world adventure that inspired Genshin's design.
Zenless Zone Zero
FreeUrban action RPG from HoYoverse with stylish combat.
Punishing: Gray Raven
FreeFast stylish action RPG with mech-suit characters.
Reverse: 1999
FreeTurn-based RPG with a stylish 20th-century mystery setting.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds
FreeAnime MMORPG with a charming Studio Ghibli-style world.
Sword of Convallaria
FreeTactical pixel-art RPG with a branching story and gacha units.
Elden Ring
PaidOpen-world action RPG with challenging combat and exploration.
Top Genshin Impact alternatives compared
Honkai: Star Rail
Honkai: Star Rail is HoYoverse's space fantasy RPG, from the same studio as Genshin Impact. It swaps open-world action for turn-based battles, and it runs on PC through the HoYoPlay launcher, PS5, iOS and Android. It suits Genshin players who like the characters and gacha system but want slower, more tactical combat.
Wuthering Waves
Wuthering Waves is an open-world action RPG from Kuro Games, and the closest match to Genshin's explore-and-fight loop. It is on Steam for Windows, Google Play, and the App Store for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It won Players' Voice at The Game Awards 2025, and it suits players who want faster real-time combat.
Honkai Impact 3rd
Honkai Impact 3rd is HoYoverse's earlier sci-fi action game, built around real-time 3D combat with free jumping and long combos. It is free on Steam for Windows, iOS and Android. It suits players who care more about combo-driven fights than exploration.
Tower of Fantasy
Tower of Fantasy is a shared open-world RPG with a sci-fi anime setting, so you explore alongside other players instead of alone. It is free on Steam for Windows, iOS and Android, with optional in-app purchases. It suits Genshin fans who want an online, MMO-style world.
| App | Price | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honkai: Star Rail | Free, in-app purchases | Windows, PS5, iOS, Android | Turn-based combat fans |
| Wuthering Waves | Free, in-app purchases | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Fast open-world action |
| Honkai Impact 3rd | Free, in-app purchases | Windows, iOS, Android | Combo-heavy action combat |
| Tower of Fantasy | Free, in-app purchases | Windows, iOS, Android | Shared online open world |
We checked each game's official store listings on 6 November 2026. All four are free to download with optional in-app purchases, and all four had received an update on the App Store or Google Play within the previous six weeks, so none of them has been abandoned.
Genshin Impact alternatives: FAQ
What is the best alternative to Genshin Impact?
Honkai: Star Rail is ranked first on this list (Free). The ranking combines our base score with readers' votes, so it can change.
What is the best free alternative to Genshin Impact?
The highest-ranked free or open-source options here are Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves and Honkai Impact 3rd.
Which Genshin Impact alternatives work on Mac?
Wuthering Waves run on macOS.
Are there Genshin Impact alternatives for Android?
Yes: Honkai: Star Rail, Wuthering Waves, Honkai Impact 3rd and Tower of Fantasy have Android apps.
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