Introduction: The Allure and Frustration of Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact, developed by miHoYo, is a game that has captivated millions worldwide since its release. Its stunning visuals, open-world exploration, and intricate combat system have established it as one of the most successful gacha-based action RPGs. However, for all its strengths, the game is not without flaws. One of the most criticized aspects of Genshin Impact is its stamina system. This mechanic, while common in many games, poses a unique problem in Genshin, as it hampers exploration, combat, and overall player experience. This article delves deep into the stamina system, exploring its implications and why it remains a contentious issue among players.

The Basics of the Stamina System in Genshin Impact

What is the Stamina System?

The stamina system in Genshin Impact governs several player actions, including:

• Sprinting
• Climbing
• Swimming
• Gliding
• Charged attacks in combat

The stamina bar depletes with each action and refills over time. While this mechanic adds a layer of realism, it often feels restrictive, especially in high-stakes situations like combat or exploration.

Stamina Progression Through the Statues of The Seven

Players can increase their stamina capacity by offering Anemoculi, Geoculi, and other elemental "culi" to the Statues of The Seven. However, this progression is gated by how quickly players can find these items, making stamina upgrades feel more like a grind than a natural progression.

Exploration and the Stamina Bottleneck

Climbing and Traversal Challenges

One of Genshin Impact’s most appealing features is its vertical exploration. Players are encouraged to climb mountains, scale cliffs, and glide across vast landscapes. However, the stamina bar severely limits these activities. Running out of stamina while climbing results in an automatic fall, often leading to damage or death. This discourages players from taking risks and fully enjoying the game’s open world.

Impact on Puzzle Exploration

Many puzzles in Genshin Impact require climbing or gliding to reach hidden mechanisms or treasures. The limited stamina forces players to stop frequently, breaking immersion and turning otherwise enjoyable puzzles into tedious tasks.

Combat and Stamina: A Fragile Balance

Sprinting and Dodging

In combat, stamina is crucial for sprinting and dodging enemy attacks. Unfortunately, this often creates conflicts. Players must choose between using stamina for mobility or executing charged attacks. Running out of stamina mid-battle can leave a character vulnerable, especially in high-difficulty domains or boss fights.

The Issue with Elemental Synergy

Combat in Genshin Impact revolves around elemental synergies. Some characters, like Diluc or Hu Tao, rely heavily on charged attacks to deal optimal damage. The stamina system, however, penalizes players for relying on these characters, as frequent stamina depletion reduces their effectiveness in prolonged fights.

The Influence of Gacha and Monetization on Stamina

Resin vs. Stamina: A Comparison

While the stamina bar affects exploration and combat, another system, Resin, limits players’ ability to farm materials and bosses. The dual limitations of Resin and stamina create a frustrating loop, as players are restricted in both progression and exploration.

Encouraging Pay-to-Win Mechanics

The stamina system indirectly nudges players towards spending money. For instance, 5-star characters like Zhongli or Venti can mitigate stamina issues through shields or crowd control. This incentivizes players to pull for these characters, which feeds into the gacha model.

The Multiplayer Dilemma: How Stamina Affects Co-op

Limitations in Co-op Exploration

Co-op mode in Genshin Impact allows players to explore Teyvat together. However, stamina restrictions are not lifted in co-op, which often leads to disparities in exploration. For example, one player might run out of stamina while climbing, leaving them stranded and disrupting the flow of exploration.

Combat Coordination Issues

Stamina in co-op combat also creates coordination issues. Players with stamina-intensive characters often find themselves unable to keep up with others, leading to imbalanced contributions in defeating enemies.

Community Feedback and Criticism

Player Frustrations

Since the game’s release, the stamina system has been a frequent subject of community criticism. Players often voice their frustration on forums, highlighting how stamina restrictions clash with the game’s open-world design and fast-paced combat.

Examples from Social Media

1. "Why can’t I enjoy climbing mountains without falling because of stamina? It ruins the immersion!"
2. "I can’t even use my favorite characters in combat because their charged attacks drain stamina too fast."

Developer Responses

miHoYo has acknowledged community feedback regarding other aspects of the game, such as Resin, but has remained largely silent on the stamina system. This silence suggests that the developers see stamina as a core mechanic, unlikely to change in future updates.

Comparisons with Other Games

Breath of the Wild vs. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is often compared to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While both games use stamina systems, Breath of the Wild offers more flexibility. For example:

• Players can cook food to temporarily increase stamina.
• Stamina upgrades are tied directly to player choice, allowing more freedom in progression.

Lessons from Other Open-World Games

Games like Assassin’s Creed or Horizon Zero Dawn avoid stamina limitations entirely, allowing players to focus on exploration and combat without restrictions. Genshin could benefit from adopting similar mechanics to enhance player satisfaction.

Potential Solutions to the Stamina Problem

Adjustable Stamina Costs

Reducing the stamina cost of climbing, sprinting, and swimming could significantly improve the player experience. Alternatively, certain areas or activities could feature reduced stamina drain to encourage exploration.

Stamina Recovery Items

Introducing items or buffs that temporarily boost stamina recovery would provide players with more options. For example, a consumable food item could instantly refill the stamina bar or reduce stamina consumption for a short time.

Character-Specific Abilities

Expanding the abilities of certain characters to include stamina management would create more diversity. For instance, a character with an exploration-focused kit could reduce stamina costs for all players in the party.

The Future of Genshin’s Stamina System

A Missed Opportunity?

While the stamina system serves as a way to balance exploration and combat, it ultimately detracts from the player experience. Without significant changes, the system will continue to be a point of contention, limiting Genshin Impact’s potential as an open-world masterpiece.

Hope for Change

As miHoYo continues to update the game, there’s always a possibility that player feedback will lead to improvements. Addressing the stamina issue would not only satisfy the community but also enhance the game’s long-term appeal.

Conclusion: Balancing Mechanics for a Better Experience

The stamina system in Genshin Impact is a double-edged sword. While it adds a layer of strategy, it also imposes unnecessary restrictions on exploration and combat. By addressing these limitations, miHoYo could elevate the game to new heights, ensuring that players can fully enjoy the breathtaking world of Teyvat without frustration. Until then, the stamina system remains a glaring flaw in an otherwise remarkable game.