Games Like Genshin Impact: Four Upcoming Contenders

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Hype around would-be Genshin Impact killers will always exist, but just like all World of Warcraft killers have failed to end the reign of Blizzard Entertainment’s MMO it’s unlikely that any game is actually going to supplant HoYoverse’s phenomenon as the title on the gacha game throne.

However, that doesn’t mean that there can’t be contenders in the same niche with their own right to an audience, their own ideas and innovations. HoYoverse’s success with Genshin Impact has led to a massive shift among developers active in the gacha space – there is a lot more ambition now than ever before to make games approaching triple-A production values.

Here are four upcoming video games inspired by Genshin Impact that might be interesting to fans who love titles with anime aesthetics.

Wuthering Waves

• Developer: Kuro Games

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, iOS, Android

• Release: Expected 2024

Wuthering Waves is probably closest to Genshin Impact in terms of gameplay and setting – it’s another open-world RPG, though with more of a sci-fi than fantasy spin. You’ll be able to explore the vast overworld to unearth treasures, complete quests, and encounter various enemies. Just like in Genshin Impact, you’ll be able to assemble a party of unique characters, all with their own abilities and backgrounds.

Its greatest strength is probably its combat system, which is supposed to be a lot more in-depth than those of Genshin Impact. It features dodging and counters alongside character-based skills and intense QTE mechanics.

Wuthering Waves wrapped up its second closed beta test in March 2024 and is aiming to launch in the same year.

Project Mugen

• Developer: Naked Rain

• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, iOS, Android

• Release: Expected 2024 to 2025

Project Mugen is essentially fusing Marvel’s Spider-Man and GTA with an anime-inspired urban fantasy setting reminiscent of HoYoverse’s upcoming title Zenless Zone Zero. This open-world RPG features movement mechanics allowing its characters to swing from highrise to highrise and has vehicles like futuristic bikes for quick traversal.

Far from only having melee weapons, Project Mugen features third-person shooter mechanics for the characters equipped with guns. Naturally, every character that can be added to players’ parties will have unique abilities and ultimates, which all feature spectacular animations.

Project Mugen is expected to be launched in 2024 or at least provide testing opportunities this year.

Arknights: Endfield

• Developer: Hypergryph

• Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android

• Release: Expected 2025

Arknights: Endfield is a spin-off of Hypergryph’s popular Arknights. Described as a real-time 3D RPG with strategic elements, it will feature its own stories and cast of characters, though share its “worldview” with the original game. Its story will be akin to a space opera and like all of these games it will feature a mix of exploration and combat with the ability to obtain different characters and form diverse parties.

Endfield already had a closed technical test running from late 2023 into January 2024, but it’s not expected to be released all too soon. Late last year, the studio stated that it was still in the earlier stages of development.

Azur Promilia

• Developer: Manjuu Network Technology

• Platforms: PC, PS5, iOS, Android

• Release: Expected 2025

Azur Promilia is from the development team behind Azur Lane, so it has plenty of pedigree. It’s a fantasy RPG that combines Genshin Impact with Palworld – a lethal combination for sure. Users won’t simply be able to add unique characters to their rosters, who have an elemental affinity like in HoYoverse’s game, but will also be able to collect adorable creatures. These will be visible on the map, traveling and fighting with the players. Like in Palworld, they can be used as mounts or be put to work, harvesting resources.

Azur Promilia is the most recently announced game on this list, so it’s expected to still need a bit of development time. However, its proposition has put it on top of many wish lists immediately.

Related: Azur Lane Devs Are Making A Monster-Catching Genshin Impact-Like RPG