【Game Studies】Exercises 1 -- My Favorite Game
NAME: LEE XIN YI, CINDY | STUDENT ID: 0373299 | PROGRAMME: BACHELOR'S OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Personal Analysis of a Beloved Game
-- Genshin Impact --
Genshin Impact was my daily escape for years. Though I play less now, it remains a reminder of how deeply a game can resonate beyond the screen.
Introduction to Genshin Impact
Figure 1 shows the app icon for Genshin Impact
Why Playfulness is Genshin Impact's Greatest Triumph
Let’s examine what makes this game so compelling in these 5 aspects:
— Key Aspects of Analysis —
▷ Aesthetics & Immersion
◊ Scenery & Visuals◊ Music & Soundscape◊ Character Design◊ Narrative & Emotion▷ Exploration & Interaction
▷ Mechanics & Challenges
◊ Environmental Puzzles◊ Combat & Structured Challenges▷ Progression & Investment
▷ Gacha Pulls & Mini-Games
◊ Gacha Pulling System◊ Mini-Games
Aesthetics & Immersion
*Scenery & Visuals*
Video 1 shows Genshin Real Life Locations by Firestorm on 13 January 2023
Genshin Impact's open world is a canvas of vibrant colors with fantastical landscapes, consisting distinct regions which are inspired and based on real-life cultures and geographies, like Monstadt's windmill-dotted hills offer players cozy charm of European folklore. By blending real-world familiarity with magical fantasy, the game makes every region feel both comfortingly familiar and delightfully surprising for players to look around.
"Sometimes strolling around is simply relaxing."
*Music & Soundscape*
Video 2 shows Genshin Impact Music Demonstration
The soundtrack in Genshin Impact isn’t just a background music on an endless loop, every piece is an original composition by the in-house music team, HOYO-MiX rather than using licensed or reused tracks. The orchestral score flows seamlessly between serene exploration themes and intense battle music, enhancing every moment in game. Traditional instruments from different cultures are blended with modern synths to reflect each region’s identity, creating a soundscape that feels both immersive and alive. Even day and night come with their own distinct soundtracks, deepening the sense of time and place.
*Holy music stops —"Wait, where is the enemy?!"*
* Character Design *
Figure 2 shows character design of Zhongli,
a 5-star character in Genshin Impact
One of Genshin Impact’s greatest draws lies in its roster of visually distinct and personality-rich characters. Every outfit, animation and detail, including posture and color palette, reflects who they are. Their silhouettes are so iconic that even a blurred figure is recognizable. As a result, this care in design makes collecting characters just as compelling as mastering gameplay, whether for strategic use or sheer admiration.
"Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember..."
*Narrative & Emotion*
Figure 3 shows cutscene from main story quest of Sumeru
Genshin Impact subverts first impressions by giving characters surprising emotional depth. Story quests often reveal hidden layers, turning initially unlikable personalities into fan favorites. Dialogue choices offer small but meaningful ways to personalize interactions, sparking curiosity about alternative responses. Besides, not every tale has a fairytale ending, many conclude with growth, forgiveness or bittersweet acceptance instead, grounding the fantasy world in emotional realism.
*When boss fight ends but emotional damage doesn’t.*
Exploration & Interaction
Beyond its scenic beauty, the map itself hides countless surprises. Players can glide off cliffs to discover hidden groves, dive into crystalline waters to uncover underwater ruins or even trigger a playful dialogue with quirky NPCs like Timmie and his pigeons. Mundane activities like lighting a campfire to cook with pyro element or scaring off animals adds fresh knowledge to players' experiences. With so much detail packed into every region, it's easy to miss hidden chests, subtle secrets or even playful Easter Eggs. Hence, looking around isn't just relaxing but richly rewarding!
Mechanics & Challenges
*Environmental Puzzles*
Video All 20 Inazuma Luxurious Chest Locations by WoW Quests on 28 July 2021
Beyond interactive mechanisms, environmental puzzles are scattered throughout the map, turning exploration into a game of wit and curiosity. These puzzles feel like the game's provocation: “Bet you can’t solve this!” Whether it’s lighting torches in the right order or guiding a Seelie home, these challenges invite players to engage with the environment. Solving them isn’t just about earning loot; it’s about the satisfaction of cracking the world’s logic. And the reward? Chests bursting with primogems which are the currency of hope for every gacha-addicted traveler.
*When you solve a genius-level puzzle and get 2 primogems: “Pain. Just pain.”
*Combat & Structured Challenges*
Video shows C0 Raiden Overload and C0 Nahida Hyperbloom | Genshin Impact Abyss 5.5 Floor 12 9 Stars by Sireula on 28 Apr 2025
Combat in Genshin Impact isn’t just about mashing buttons; it's a tactical blend of elemental synergy. With 7 unique elements, only specific combinations trigger powerful effects like Melt, Electro-Charged, Superconduct and more. Each reaction suits different scenarios, encouraging players to adapt their strategies accordingly. Triggering a Bloom by dousing Dendro enemies with Hydro, then detonating it with Electro? Absolutely pure chaos and joy! In the Spiral Abyss challenge, although characters unleash dazzling ultimates that steal the spotlight, players barely have time to admire them as they juggle elemental reactions and character rotations to maximize rewards.
Master the elements, master the battlefield.
Progression & Investment
Figure 4 shows artifact grind improvement
Power isn’t just about levels, but it’s earned through the grind, especially with artifact farming being a cycle of hope, hype and heartbreak. It's like a gamble: sometimes players score the ideal Crit stats for the artifacts, but more often it's just DEF% disappointment. Ascending characters takes time and effort but seeing them grow into reliable powerhouses is incredibly satisfying. What’s more, the game encourages creativity in character builds, breaking the meta can feel more satisfying than following it. Hence, players continuously invest time not just to optimize teams, but to make each character truly their own.
Gacha Pulls & Mini-Games
*Gacha Pulling System*
Figure 5 shows wishing animation of getting 5-star character
The thrill of Genshin’s gacha lies in its balance of luck and safety nets. Pulling wishes feels like gambling, but only slightly safer. Even if players lose the 50/50, getting a non-limited, featured 5-star character, the next 5-star is guaranteed to be the limited one. Free primogems from events ease the grind, making even losses feel bearable. Whether players land on a meta-breaking Archon or their fifth Qiqi, each wish fuels that addictive “just one more” feeling that keeps players coming back.
*Mini-Games*
Video shows Version 5.7 "A Space and Time for You" Events Overview by Genshin Impact on 6 June 2025
From hide-and-seek in Windtrace to tower defense in Theater Mechanicus, mini-games are the game’s playful pit stops. They act as palate cleansers where players can fish for Mora, duel in TCG card game or bartend for primogems. These events introduce fresh gameplay styles without leaving the comfort of Genshin’s world, offering both variety and familiarity that keep the experience feeling lively and unpredictable.
Conclusion
Aesthetics & Immersion
- Vivid visuals make wandering joyful
- Dynamic soundtrack enhances emotions
- Character designs foster attachment
- Narrative encourages investment
Exploration & Interaction
- Secrets reward inquisitive players
- NPC interactions spark joy
- Environment reacts playfully
Mechanics & Challenges
- Puzzles reward creativity
- Elemental combos create chaos
- Mastery feels satisfying
Progression & Investment
- Grinding becomes rewarding
- Gear upgrades feel like gambles
- Builds express playstyle
Gacha & Mini-Games
- Wishes create anticipation
- Mini-games offer variety
- Events keep things fresh
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