Today, I want to talk about one of the most beautifully designed games. Genshin Impact.
And no, this is not about its P2W model or the game mechanics.
What really stands out is the world-building and environmental art. The game shows a deep connection between art and technology, drawing clear inspiration from the real world and blending classical European and Asian architecture.
The result is a world that feels alive, breathable, and real. Cities feel like places you enter, not scenery you pass through.
The day-night cycle, dynamic weather, and the dynamic shadows correspond very beautifully with the stylized art.
Everything is hidden in the little details, like subsurface scattering (SSS) and translucency, which allow light to pass through leaves, creating a warm glow rather than flat silhouettes while remaining efficient. In areas like Liyue, especially at night and during the Lantern Festival, deferred rendering enables hundreds or even thousands of real-time point lights, while still running great on mobile, without breaking a sweat.
For me, Genshin Impact is a groundbreaking title. Not because it is a fun game, but because it raised the bar for visual design and technology and influenced many games that followed.
Projects with art style like this are a reminder of why I chose this industry in the first place.
Image source: Reddit
Portable Gas Stove
Creating this outdoor scene gave us the chance to focus on the little details that make everyday objects feel real.
