The moment Genshin Impact fans have been waiting for practically since the game came out is finally here. Inazuma, an area of the game inspired by Japan that is often rumored and highly anticipated, will be released on July 21. Not only that, but it will come alongside an update so large that the Chinese developer Mihoyo has seen fit to jump the version of the game from 1.6 to 2.0.
Inazuma is the centerpiece of the next update – an all-new region similar in size to the game’s two previous main areas, Mondstadt and Liyue. While the former has a kind of Breath of the Wild vibe and high fantasy and the latter pays homage to many elements of Chinese culture, Inazuma is the first stab of the anime-inspired game in a region openly inspired by Japanese traditions. .
The trailer isn’t subtle about this, with architecture and archetypes (shogun, samurai, ninja) screaming at Japan as loudly as possible, as well as a multitude of cherry blossoms. That said, everything looks beautiful in Genshin Impact’s lush art style, to the point where fans are basically losing their minds right now. Meanwhile, the soundtrack of the new region was recorded in collaboration with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, to give it an authentic flavor.
A new region means a lot of new things to do, including a “massive” amount of new Archon quests and side quests. There will also be three new playable characters: Ayaka, who wields a katana and ice powers, Yoimiya, who uses a bow and fire (and who will hopefully be better than the fire / bow character Amber, notoriously the worst in the game) , and Sayu, a wind ninja.
On top of all that, Genshin Impact is adding cross progression between the PS5, PS4, PC, Android, and iOS versions of the game. Also: gardening! Once version 2.0 is released, you will be able to collect and plant seeds in the fields of the kingdom located in your Serenitea Pot, which is basically the game’s player accommodation system.
The update will arrive, along with new events and a series of systemic adjustments, in less than two weeks.
