Last week, a friend who just picked up a PS5 Slim texted me out of the blue, asking if he could jump into Genshin Impact without dropping cash first. I get this question all the time, especially from console players who are used to paying $70 up front for most AAA titles. If you’re here asking the same thing: is Genshin Impact free on PS5, you’re in the right place. I’ve been playing the game on PlayStation consoles since it launched on the platform back in 2021, so I can walk you through exactly what you’ll pay for, what you get for free, and how to get started without wasting a cent if you don’t want to.
Is Genshin Impact Free on PS5? The Short, Straight Answer
Yes, Genshin Impact is 100% free to download and play on PS5, with no up-front purchase required. You don’t even have to pay for a membership to access online features, which is a common point of confusion for new PlayStation players. You don’t need a paid PlayStation Plus subscription to play Genshin Impact online on PS5, as Sony exempts free-to-play live service games from this requirement.
When you head to the PlayStation Store, you’ll see two listings for Genshin Impact: one for PS4 and one for PS5. Make sure you select the PS5-native version when downloading from the PlayStation Store to access performance boosts that make the game run far smoother than the last-gen version. The download size is roughly 70GB as of 2024, so make sure you have enough space on your console’s SSD before you hit download.
You will need to link a HoYoverse account to your PSN profile to save your progress, but that sign-up process is also free and takes less than two minutes to complete. Once you’re logged in, you can start playing immediately, no hidden fees or activation steps required.
What You Get for Free When You Download Genshin Impact on PS5
Many new players assume free-to-play games lock most of their content behind paywalls, but that’s not the case with Genshin Impact. There are no paywalls for core story or exploration content, which means you can experience nearly everything the game has to offer without spending a dollar. The full list of free content for PS5 players includes:
- Full access to every released Archon quest and character story quest, no paywalls blocking story content at any point
- Unlimited exploration of all current map regions, from Mondstadt to Fontaine and every upcoming area HoYoverse releases in future updates
- 4 free starter characters (Traveler, Amber, Kaeya, Lisa) plus additional free characters earned through event participation and story progression
- Full access to all limited-time events, including free Primogem, weapon, and character rewards that rotate every few weeks
- Cross-save functionality with PC, mobile, and other console platforms if you link your HoYoverse account across devices
I’ve played the game on and off for three years, and I’ve only spent around $60 total on in-game purchases, most of which went to a limited edition character I really wanted. I have a friend who has never spent a single cent on the game, and he has a roster of 14 5-star characters, all earned from free Primogems he collected through daily tasks, events, and exploration. So, you don’t have to pay to have a fully functional, fun roster of characters to play with.
Optional In-Game Purchases to Know About for PS5 Players
While the core game is completely free, HoYoverse does offer optional in-game purchases for players who want to speed up their progress or get access to rare limited-edition characters and weapons. The most common purchases players make are for Primogems, the game’s premium currency that is used to make wishes on character and weapon banners.
The best value purchase for players who do want to spend a little money is the Blessing of the Welkin Moon, a $4.99 monthly subscription that gives you 90 Primogems every day you log in, plus a one-time bonus of 300 Genesis Crystals when you buy it. This is far more cost-effective than buying Primogems directly, and most casual players who spend money only buy this subscription. You can also purchase the Gnostic Hymn battle pass for $9.99 per 42-day cycle, which gives you extra Primogems, weapons, and upgrade materials as you complete in-game tasks.
None of these purchases are required to enjoy the game, and they don’t give players a competitive advantage in any PvE content. That means free-to-play players can clear every piece of content in the game just as easily as players who spend hundreds of dollars. The only note I’ll add here is that PS5 purchases are tied directly to your PSN wallet, so if you share your console with kids or other family members, make sure you turn on purchase password protection to avoid unexpected charges.
Exclusive Perks for PS5 Players of Genshin Impact
Playing Genshin Impact on PS5 comes with a few perks that you won’t get on other platforms, starting with performance. The PS5-native version of the game runs at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, with faster load times than last-gen consoles or even mid-tier PCs. Fast travel between locations takes less than 2 seconds on PS5, which is a huge upgrade if you’ve ever played the game on PS4 or a low-end laptop.
PlayStation players also get access to a few exclusive in-game items, including the Predator Bow, a 4-star weapon that is only available for players on PlayStation consoles. While it’s not the strongest weapon in the game, it’s a fun free exclusive that fits perfectly on bow characters like Aloy or Tartaglia. Sony also occasionally runs exclusive promotions for PS5 players, including free Primogem bundles, in-game furniture, and cosmetic items that you can’t get on other platforms.
The only small downside to playing on PS5 is that once you link your HoYoverse account to your PSN profile, you can’t unlink it. That means if you ever switch to a different PSN region, you won’t be able to transfer your existing progress to the new account. But for most players who stick to one PSN account, this won’t be an issue at all.
By this point, you already have a clear answer to whether Genshin Impact is free on PS5, plus all the context you need to decide if you want to download it. It’s one of the most generous free-to-play games on the market right now, and you can easily sink hundreds of hours into exploring, questing, and building your team without spending a single dollar. If you’re a new player, I recommend playing for at least a few weeks before you even consider making any purchases, to make sure you actually enjoy the game enough to justify spending money. Most of my friends who play regularly are free-to-play, and they have just as much fun as the players who drop hundreds of dollars on limited banners every update.