Genshin Impact has become one of the most popular games in the world since its release back in 2020. However, as it is an online game with microtransaction built-in, players cannot experience all characters in the game unless they spend a massive amount of money. If you are turned off by this aspect, the following PC games might be good alternatives.

1. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is an action RPG similar to Genshin, which is also played from a third-person perspective. Furthermore, players also control a party of characters with the ability to switch between them at will. However, the main difference between Ys IX and Genshin is that the other party members remain fighting on the field instead of disappearing.

Ys Ix Monstrum Nox
Ys IX Monstrum Nox has the same switch combat mechanic as Genshin

The action RPG combat is also pretty similar, with characters having the ability to combo normal attacks and skills. SP needed to cast skills can be regenerated by landing hits. Reaction plays a big role in Ys IX's combat, with perfect dodge and perfect block giving players slow-mo and invulnerability effects.

Ys Ix Monstrum Nox Screenshot Grimwald Night
Ys IX Monstrum Nox Grimwald Night

Story-wise, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the newest entry of the long running Ys series. Players step into the shoes of an adventurer named Adol, who gets stuck inside the mysterious city of Balduq.

2. Nier Automata

Nier Automata is also an action RPG with third person perspective similar to Genshin. Its gameplay involves action-based hack and slash combat, with occasional switches between genres such as shoot 'em up, platformer or even text adventure.

Nier Automata
Nier Automata's hack and slash combat is fairly similar to Genshin's style

Gameplay-wise, it is fairly similar to Genshin, with characters performing combos with light and heavy attacks. However, unlike Genshin, players can't switch characters. They can only change the weapon that the character is using.

Nier Automata Pc
Nier Automata PC

Story-wise, Nier Automata is fairly unique. The game is set during a proxy war between alien-created machines and human-crafted androids, with players stepping into the shoes of combat android 2B, scanner android 9S, and rogue prototype A2. The most unique thing here is that the story requires multiple playthroughs, with each of them unlocking additional story elements.

3. Scarlet Nexus

Scarlet Nexus is yet another action RPG with hack & slash elements, similar to Genshin. Its combat is a smooth mix of long-range and close-range attacks. At any point of a weapon combo, you can press the right trigger to immediately hop back and throw an object, then follow that with a weapon attack that brings you right back into melee range.

Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus' best aspect is definitely its flashy combat.

Story-wise, the game is set in both the near future and an alternate reality. In this world, humanity has developed technology and formed a society based on the substances found in human brains. These substances also grant humans extrasensory superpowers. The Other Suppression Force (OSF) recruits members with supernatural abilities to protect humanity from the Others, mindless mutants which descend from the Extinction Belt.

Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus combat

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