I wont go too into details, I'd probably have to scratch my brain to get everything out for a full picture, but the problem stems from everything in genshin feeling like missed potential. This will focus a lot of on negative aspects, but not to detract from the positive aspects the game does have of course. Characters have interesting concepts, bland executions, with some exceptions that stand out and shine among the cast. The moment a character's regional archon quest is dealt with, there's almost 0 hopes for any interesting follow up for their story. The best examples of this off the top of my head being Kaeya with his 5 lines in a very awaited meeting with Dainsleif, and Mona's entire deal. The slowburn aspect of the story is also doing it no favors, it is not an uncommon sentiment to see people lose any interest in the over arching plot and I think for good reason. I loved the slowburn aspect back in mondstadt and liyue, nowadays I find it agonizing. It's hard to care. So many interesting groups and concepts that are in a permanent waiting room. I think it's very bad spacing of content. Honkai star rail paces it's important concepts through out the story much better, might even be an highlight of the game.

The main reason why it took a dive from fontaine towards natlan for me takes from very small factors that all add up. Character design took a dive, sexualization was at a all time low in Fontaine, very concise outfits that both fulfilled the type of genshin design language while still properly communicating their jobs and roles. Natlan honestly lost me on all of this though, with Mavuika and Chasca being especially bad. Natlan is also where we finally start seeing the overarching abyss plot take center stage, and honestly, I found it hard to care after this long. It just came off as underwhelming. Personalities feel a lot weaker. There's some standouts for me like Mualani, but on the other end of the spectrum, this is the first time an archon bores me to death. She's cool in action, but textually she comes off as the stereotypical leader and nothing else past that. Finally, the way characters treat the traveller is just unnatural and offputting. Flirty fanservice is common, I'd be hard pressed to find any single rude line of dialogue directed at them, it makes for very bland interactions. My favorite interactions in the game never include the main character and thats a problem imo. The problems I mentioned are either completely missing or very minimal in hoyo's other games, which only accentuates these issues for me. The reason why I'm so harsh is exactly because I've been playing the game for years AND do enjoy playing it, but it feels like my expectations are rarely met when it comes to characters and story when I'm past the initial hype of a new region dropping, which I don't seem to face in star rail nor ZZZ, making it a frustrating experience when I bounce between the games.