With a vast world to explore, Genshin Impact has become one of the hottest new games. The game features twenty-three unlockable playable characters, not including the Traveler, who players control from the start. Although it's got plenty of characters to help people fight and explore their way across the world of Treyvat, Genshin Impact also has online co-op multiplayer. However, players won't be able to access it at first.

Early on, players are given three starter characters who join the Traveler in their journey. Other characters can be obtained through RNG-based gacha pulls, or purchased using Masterless Starglitter. However, for anyone looking to explore Genshin Impact's world with others, online multiplayer exists. But first, players have to unlock it.

Related: Genshin Impact: What Starglitter Is (& How It Works)

Players can't unlock co-op multiplayer until they reach Adventurer Rank 16. Depending on playstyles, this can take anywhere from 10-20 hours. Genshin Impact does this as a way for players to become familiar with its many mechanics and gameplay features. By Adventurer Rank 16, people should know most of the game's ins and outs. Once co-op is unlocked, players are free to join groups. Because of Genshin Impact's cross-play features, waiting times shouldn't take too long.

What You Can & Can't Do In Genshin Impact's Co-Op Multiplayer

Genshin Impact Dragon

Once co-op is unlocked, it can be accessed through the game's main menu. Players can choose to join someone else's world, or invite three other players into their own. Genshin Impact allows teams to do almost everything in the overworld together, but there are restrictions. For instance, only a host can open a treasure chest in their own world, and story quests must still be completed solo. Players will also have to coordinate with each other to make sure their Genshin Impact characters make a good team build. Additionally, the number of players in a party will change party dynamics.

For instance, if two people are playing together in co-op, each controls two different characters. If three people play together, the host controls two characters while the other players each control one. If all four party members are players, then each player simply controls one character. Essentially, players are free to do as they please in a host's world - they just can't take anything from the host, such as treasure or certain collectibles like Anemoculus.

While Genshin Impact's sprawling world is ripe for exploration, it can get a little lonely. Thankfully, co-op multiplayer isn't too difficult to unlock. This way, people can enjoy Genshin Impact with friends - or complete strangers - online.

Next: Why Genshin Impact's PC Download Speed Is So Slow