Now, in the year of 2024, it is fair to say that when gamers think of “Gacha” games Genshin Impact is the game that comes to mind first. Granted, it could also be one of Hoyoverse’s other games such as Honkai: Star Rail, or their new game Zenless Zone Zero. So, when I signed up to play Wuthering Waves I could not help but notice similarities between this new Gacha game and Genshin Impact.
Now it is also fair to say, I do not play many Gacha games and can only draw similarities from Hoyoverse’s popular game. So when I discovered there were gliders that worked just about the same, including the depleting energy bar, I couldn’t help but dread the fear of a glider mission. However, I was pleasantly surprised I was not forced into such a mission within Wuthering Waves, and this drew me to discover other similarities between the two games. Such similarities included activated towers to reveal portions of the map as well as revitalize your health, along with the fact that the character you play as is essentially summoned from a mythical being that can bend what seems like space and time. It is always a plus that allows games to allow you to choose between male and female avatars, but the fact your character Rover lacks a memory much like the Traveler, it leads the game being rather repetitive.
Despite the similarities there are noticeable differences. Players don’t have to travel with an emergency food pack called Paimon, and instead have to listen to the voice of reasons between Yangyang and Chixia for the intro to the game. There is also the benefit of having an additional attack that players can activate through their gear. Truthfully, a nice change by Kuro Games.
Echoes are essentially your load outs for your characters. These abilities change depending on the echo you have equipped, but the nice thing about these Echoes, you don’t have to go hunting for chests, you just fight. With the ability to level up and fight different creatures you have the chance to absorb a new echo and give your characters a new ability and beneficial stat changes. We love additional support to take on our enemies.
Now one of my absolute favorite diferences between Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves is the art. Nothing against Hoyoverse and Genshin, but it’s hard to ignore the fact a lot of their characters look like children, but aren’t necessarily children. In Wuthering Waves you can actually visibly see the age difference in these characters. Some look like children, but a huge chunk look like actual adults; some younger or older than others. For the most part the art is just genuinely mature and very clean cut. My only negative to this art style is the physics. Honestly, it’s like they are trying to give NetherRealm Studios a run for their money when it comes to their female characters. Truthfully, I go for the male characters anyway, but would prefer if the wind didn’t have as much effect on certain physical attributes.
I am looking forward to seeing new character designs and what they will bring to the main story.