Saurusness talks about metagaming in Genshin Impact:

What's the point of Genshin's meta?

Genshin Impact Version 5.1 is now live - the story goes on with Xilonen:

Character Trailer - "Xilonen: Fervent Beats"

The Special Program for Genshin Impact 5.1:

Genshin Impact Version 5.1 Special Program

Genshin Impact Version 5.0 is now live - explore the new area Natlan with Mualani:

Character Trailer - "Mualani: The Ultimate Sightseeing Experience"

Typically, being a travel guide, the owner of a watersports shop, and a surfing pro are three distinct professions. But with Mualani, people can experience this three-in-one package in all of its glory.

Genshin Impact Version 5.0 Flowers Resplendent on the Sun-Scorched Sojourn will be released on August 28, 2024:

Genshin Impact Version 5.0 Special Program

Alrik spotted the Special Program for Genshin Impact 4.8:

Genshin Impact Version 4.8 Special Program

Version 4.7 of Genshin Impact has been released - Clorinde is a new playable character:

Collected Miscellany - "Clorinde: Shadow Hunting"

The Special Program for Genshin Impact 4.7:

Genshin Impact Version 4.7 Special Program

Arlecchino is an upcoming playable character for Genshin Impact:

Character Demo - "Arlecchino: Lullaby"

Alrik Fassbauer spotted the Genshin Impact Version 4.6 Special Program:

Genshin Impact Version 4.6 Special Program

Version 4.6 "Two Worlds Aflame, the Crimson Night Fades" Trailer

Version 4.5 of Genshin Impact has been released - Chiori is now a playable character:

Character Teaser - "Chiori: Crimson-Woven Heart"

Character Demo - "Chiori: Thousand Threads of Brilliance"

Collected Miscellany - "Chiori: Brocade of Fragrant Beauty"

Alrik spotted the Special Program for Genshin Impact Version 4.5:

Version 4.5 Special Program Preview

Dear Traveler, it's announcement time!
The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch and YouTube channels on 03/01/2024 at 07:00 AM (UTC-5)!

This #GenshinSpecialProgram will feature juicy details about new game content and developments in Version 4.5. It will also "drop" some redemption codes and other goodies!

Make sure to follow us, Traveler. We'll see you there!

Twitch: https://twitch.tv/genshinimpactofficial/schedule
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@GenshinImpact

Alrik spotted the Special Program for Genshin Impact Version 4.4:

Version 4.4 Special Program

Version 4.3 of Genshin Impact has been released - Navia is now a playable character:

Collected Miscellany - "Navia: Beginning of a New Voyage"

The official Shanghai performance recording is now available on YouTube:

"Genshin Impact Orchestral Concert 2023" Official Shanghai Performance Recording

The special program for Genshin Impact 4.3 will start next Friday:

Genshin Impact 4.3 Special Program

Dear Travelers,

It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 2023-12-08 at 07:00 AM (UTC-5)!

>>>https://www.twitch.tv/genshinimpactofficial/schedule

This special program will feature juicy details about new game content and developments in Version 4.3. It will also "drop" some redemption codes and other goodies!

The special program will also be broadcast on the official YouTube channel on 2023-12-08 at 08:00 AM (UTC-5)

>>> https://www.youtube.com/@GenshinImpact

Make sure to follow us, Travelers. We'll see you there!

Thanks Alrik!

Genshin Impact 4.2 has been released:

Character Demo - "Furina: All the World's a Stage"

The special program for Genshin Impact 4.2 will start tomorrow:

Version 4.2 Special Program Preview #GenshinImpact

Dear Travelers,
It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 10/27/2023 at 08:00 AM (UTC-4)!

This special program will feature juicy details about new game content and developments in Version 4.2. It will also "drop" some redemption codes and other goodies!

Make sure to follow us, Travelers. We'll see you there!

Thanks Alrik Fassbauer!

Saurusness shares her thoughts about start playing Genshin Impact now:

3 years in - is it too late to start playing Genshin?

Genshin Impact version 4.1 has been launched. You can explore a new part of Fontaine. One of the main charcters is  Neuvillette:

Character Demo - "Neuvillette: Font of All Waters"

Collected Miscellany - "Neuvillette: Precepts of the Ages"

The special program for Genshin Impact 4.1 will start next Friday:

Genshin Impact Official

Dear Travelers,

It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 9/15/2023 at 07:30 AM (UTC-4)!

https://www.twitch.tv/genshinimpactofficial/schedule

This special program will feature juicy details about new game content and developments in Version 4.1. It will also "drop" some redemption codes and other goodies!

The special program will also be broadcast on the official YouTube channel on 9/15/2023 at 08:30 AM (UTC-4)

https://www.youtube.com/@GenshinImpact

Make sure to follow us, Travelers. We'll see you there!

Thanks Alrik Fassbauer!

Genshin Impact 4.0 is live - meet Lyney and Lynette in the new area Fontaine:

Collected Miscellany - "Lyney: Truth Under the Spotlight" | Genshin Impact

Character Demo - "Lynette: Cat in the Box" | Genshin Impact

Alrik Fassbauer spotted the special program for Genshin Impact 4.0:

Version 4.0 Special Program｜Genshin Impact

New Codes:

• 3BRLL59ZCZKD
• WA845MQHUHKH
• ZT8MLL8GCYKM

Gameradar looks back at 1000 days of playing Genshin Impact:

After 1,000 days and $500, Genshin Impact is more than just my favorite open-world game

I never thought I'd get so attached to Genshin Impact, but now I don't want to leave

In January 2021, I wrote about what 100 days and $60 got me in Genshin Impact, with the gist being: a lot of fun. January 2021 me had no idea what he was getting into. As of June 27, 2023, I've been playing Genshin Impact for 1,000 days and have sunk $500 into it. And after all this time, Genshin Impact is not only my favorite open-world game, it's the comfort game I can't imagine leaving.

At this headline-friendly milestone, I thought it'd be fun to examine why I'm still spending so much time – and a little money each month – on Genshin Impact. I still recommend the game to everyone and their dog, after all, so I suppose I should explain why. Think of this as a not-quite-review ahead of the game's long-awaited 4.0 update, which will add the Fontaine region and no-doubt pull me even deeper judging from its many fashionable characters. 

1,000 days in Teyvat  

When I say I've played Genshin Impact for 1,000 days, I don't mean it's been 1,000 days since I made my account. I could count on my hands how many days I haven't played Genshin Impact since I started, and my play time must be north of 2,000 hours at this point. I play this game every day. More often than not, I only play for 15 minutes or so to knock out daily objectives. But when there's new content, whether that's events or quests or characters, or especially new regions, I'll hungrily play for hours at a time. 

This rhythm is one of the main reasons I've stuck with Genshin. I love getting sucked into big updates, but the breezy daily routine is cathartic for me the way life sims are for many people. It's a little bite of progression every evening after I get off work. Do my dailies, get some resources, get out, and then move onto whatever game currently holds my attention more. After Genshin, I'll currently run through a similar routine in Honkai Star Rail, the new turn-based game from the same developer, Hoyoverse, and then jump back into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – a quantifiably better open-world game than Genshin, but one that I'm less attached to. 

[...]

The special program for Genshin Impact 3.8 will start soon:

Dear Travelers, the Version 3.8 Special Program will begin in 2 hours!

Twitch: 06/23/2023 at 20:00 (UTC+8) >>> link

We have also prepared a raffle for you! Click on the image below for more information about the event.

Here's the special program for Genshin Impact version 3.7:

Version 3.7 Special Program｜Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact 3.6 is now live - the final part of Sumeru can now be explored - some music:

Genshin Impact EP - Thoughts Like Wind and Dew

Genshin Impact EP - Twirling Radiance Throughout the Seasons

Version 3.6 of Genshin Impact will be released on April 12:

Version 3.6 Trailer:

Version 3.6 Special Program:

Mika is an upcoming cryo-character for Genshin Impact:

Character Demo - "Mika: Plume of Navigation"

Version 3.5 of Geshin Impact is now available. More of the main story is revealed and Dehya is a new recruitable character:

Collected Miscellany - "Dehya: Passion of the Burning Sands" | Genshin Impact

Two new redeem codes:

• LA9C3RHPPHQH
• SSRCJ8HSV7UM

Necrit checked out Genshin Impact:

I Played Genshin Impact For The First Time in 2023

Genshin Impact 3.5 will be released on March 1st:

Version 3.5 "Windblume's Breath" Trailer | Genshin Impact

The Special Program for Genshin Impact 3.5 will be streamed on Twitch and YouTube:

Version 3.5 Special Program Preview

Dear Travelers, It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 2/17/2023 at 07:00 AM (UTC-5)! >>>https://twitch.tv/genshinimpactofficial…

The special program will also be broadcast on the official YouTube channel on 2/17/2023 at 08:00 AM (UTC-5) >>>https://youtube.com/c/GenshinImpact

Make sure to follow us, Travelers. We'll see you there!

A new trailer for the upcoming Genshin Impact version 3.4:

"Endless Suffering" Short Trailer | Genshin Impact

Here's the Special Program for Genshin Impact 3.4:

Version 3.4 Special Program｜Genshin Impact

The Special Program for Genshin Impact 3.3 will be streamed on Twitch and YouTube:

Version 3.3 Special Program Preview

Dear Travelers,
It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 11/25/2022 at 07:00 AM (UTC-5)!

>>>https://twitch.tv/genshinimpactofficial

The special program will also be broadcast on the official YouTube channel on 11/25/2022 at 11:00 AM (UTC-5)
>>>https://youtube.com/c/GenshinImpact

Version 3.2 of Genshin Impact is now available:

Collected Miscellany - "Nahida: Unraveling Wonders of the Universe"

Version 3.2 of Genshin Impact will be released on November 2 - here's the preview:

Genshin Impact Version 3.2 Live Stream

The Genshin Impact concert 2022 is online:

GENSHIN CONCERT 2022 "Melodies of an Endless Journey"

• 0:14 Genshin Impact Main Theme
• 2:15 A New Day with Hope
• 4:17 Dawn Winery Theme
• 7:08 Photon of Fluctuation
• 10:29 Faraway Solicitude
• 12:53 What a Hopeful Voyage
• 15:53 Fall of Maples
• 17:53 In the Strange Realm of Sakura
• 25:50 Her Legacy • Hanachirusato • Time to say Farewell
• 28:48 Blossoms of Summer Night
• 30:42 Termination of Desires
• 33:27 Desire for Calm
• 35:20 A Memorable Fancy
• 37:01 Marching to Victory
• 38:48 Saltatio Favillae
• 42:06 Sink Into Oblivion
• 44:21 Hope or Nostalgia
• 46:40 Rapid as Wildfires
• 51:31 Devastation and Redemption
• 54:11 The Crane Cries
• 57:34 Chapter of a New Era
• 1:00:09 Wordless Cliffs
• 1:02:09 Myriad of Lights
• 1:06:33 In Yonder Ribat
• 1:08:26 Fresh Breezes of Dawn
• 1:10:41 Whirling of Leaves and Petals

Version 3.1 of Genshin Impact is now available - a look back:

Teyvat Adventures Commemorative Video: 2nd Anniversary Letter

The version 3.1 special program will be streamed today on the official twitch channel at 08:00 AM and on the Youtube channel  at 12:00 PM (UTC-4).

Genshin Impact has been updated to version 3.0 - you can now explore Sumeru:

Genshin Impact - Sumeru Gameplay Trailer

Tighnari and Collei are two new playable characters coming with Genshin Impact 3.0. This version will be released tomorrow:

Character Demo - "Tighnari: Plant Patrol" | Genshin Impact

 Character Demo - "Collei: Sprout in the Thicket" | Genshin Impact

A new trailer for version 3.0 / Sumeru has been released:

Version 3.0 "The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings" Trailer | Genshin Impact

Watcher Alrik Fassbauer played Genshin Impact for several weeks - here are his impressions:

Link to article

A new teaser for the upcoming Sumeru region in Genshin Impact has been released:

Sumeru Preview Teaser 03: Prelude to Wisdom | Genshin Impact

Stylized Station analyzed the art style of Genshin Impact:

How Genshin Impact was made

A new teaser for Genshin Impact - a meeting of the Harbingers:

Teyvat Chapter Interlude Teaser: A Winter Night's Lazzo

With the new nation Sumeru new Dendro element ractions come along:

Sumeru Preview Teaser 01: The Fascinating Dendro Element | Genshin Impact

To the west of Liyue lies Sumeru, the nation of flora and foliage. There, we will welcome a new member of the elemental system, the Dendro element.

The version 2.8 special program will be on the official twitch channel and Youtube channel tomorrow on July 2 at 08:00 AM (UTC-4).

Kotaku thinks min-maxing is not really necessary in Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact Is More Fun When You Stop Caring About Damage

These Genshin Impact players are maining non-optimal teams because life is short and numbers are fake

At first glance, the Genshin Impact community seems positively obsessed with hitting the biggest possible numbers with the characters they’ve rolled from the gacha. Content creators on YouTube and TikTok regularly showcase damage totals of six or even seven figures. Online discussions are dominated by math nerds who write walls of damage equations. Whether you’re new to the game or a veteran Abyss player, not using the meta-approved competitive teams can feel like a cardinal sin.

But chasing big numbers can lead to severe burnout, which plagues even the game’s most dedicated players. I know firsthand. While Genshin Impact was undergoing its first-ever delay this April, I undertook a deep cleanse, dropping out of grinding the battle pass and chasing the meta. I revisited characters who I hadn’t played in awhile, such as Kaeya and Chongyun. I dusted off Childe and started pairing him with Kokomi for safe and consistent damage output. Then I started getting really chaotic about using Raiden Shogun on a team with Xiao, even though his slower plunge attacks didn’t benefit as much from her signature skill.

I found myself having more fun than I did when I cared about min-maxing. Executing flashy combos is much more satisfying than watching numbers go up.

[...]

Version 2.7 of Genshin Impact has been released. The new 5 star character Yelan is a hydro bow master:

Collected Miscellany - "Yelan: Traceless Stealth" | Genshin Impact

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They say that people with the intention to remain incognito can stay hidden in plain sight. As a secret intelligence officer, Yelan knows this better than anyone else. She is elusive, enigmatic, and erratic... much like the fate of this world.

The version 2.7 special program will be on the official twitch channel and Youtube channel tomorrow on May 20 at 12PM (UTC-4). The release of version 2.7 will be on May 31.

A new Genshin Impact trailer featuring Kamisato Ayaka:

"Tsubaki in Thawing Snow" Short Trailer

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With version 2.6 you can get the new character Kamisato Ayato:

Character Demo - "Kamisato Ayato: Fathomless Swirls in the Forest"

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Here's the preview of Genshin Impact 2.6:

Version 2.6 Special Program

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Here's the preview of Genshin Impact 2.5:

Version 2.5 Special Program｜Genshin Impact

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Gaming Bolt reports a video on the creation of Yun Jin.

Genshin Impact – Behind the Scenes Video Details Yun Jin’s Creation

The new 4-star character was recently added in update 2.4. Her look and performances are very heavily tied to the art of Chinese Opera.

It’s been a few weeks now since Yun Jin, the latest 4-star character, arrived in miHoYo’s Genshin Impact. However, the developer has released a new behind the scenes video detailing her development. Check it out below.

As the director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, Yun Jin’s performances are based on Chinese Opera. Her character is one that honors the tradition and embodies it to the fullest extent while seeking new experiences and trends to immerse herself in. Design-wise, she also posed some challenges for the team, particularly when it came to her headdress, but the developer worked around this and took time to get her look right.

The reception behind Yun Jin has been fairly positive and some are looking at her addition as a great way to expose today’s generation to the art of Chinese Opera. [...]

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RPG Site reports that version 2.4 has been announced by Mihoyo.

Genshin Impact version 2.4 launches on January 5, adding Enkanomiya area, new characters Shenhe & Yunjin, Lantern Rite festival return, more

Mihoyo has announced that Genshin Impact version 2.4 will launch on January 5 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, and mobile devices.

Dubbed 'Fleeting Colors in Flight', this update adds a brand new map area in Enkanomiya, two new characters Shenhe & Yunjin, the return of the Lantern Rite festival, and more.

The Genshin Impact 2.4 trailer, all the details, and screenshots can be found below via Mihoyo.

Also, those live stream codes:

• SA7V2DRZGAU5
• PSNVJURZZSD9
• 5SPDKV8ZHBFV

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[...]

The Salt Factory reviewed Genshin Impact:

Is Genshin Impact Worth Playing?

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00:00 - Intro
03:37 - Starting the game
05:38 - Gameplay Mechanics
19:13 - Gacha Elements and Miscellaneous Bits
32:54 - Story, Questing and Environment
01:00:58 - Conclusions
01:06:29 - Outro

Version 2.3 of Genshin Impact is coming:

Genshin Impact - Version 2.3

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Genshin Impact is one year old and gets a new version - 2.2:

Dear Travelers,

It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 10/03/2021 at 08:00 (UTC-4)! 

miHoYo announced that version 2.1 of Genshin Impact would release on September 1st, adding new characters, islands and features, as reported by PCInvasion.

Genshin Impact Version 2.1 releases in September with new characters and islands

Genshin Impact fans will be pleased to hear that Version 2.1 of the massively successful free-to-play action RPG releases on September 1. Developer miHoYo made the announcement today and released a trailer to give fans a taste of what’s to come.

Version 2.1 of Genshin Impact will conclude the epic main story that has been playing out on the recently released Inazuma region. It will also add a wealth of new content, including two more major islands, three new playable characters, as well as a series of seasonal events celebrating the game’s first anniversary.

On top of all that, players will also receive Aloy, from Horizon Zero Dawn, for free. She will be a five-star character. And all you need to do to get her is reach Adventure Rank 20 in Version 2.1 or 2.2. Aloy is a crossover character, and she marks the beginning of cross-save as a feature in Genshin Impact. You will be able to hop between PC, PlayStation, and mobile to enjoy your adventures.

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NeverKnowsBest checked out Genshin Impact:

A serious critique of Genshin Impact

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A serious review and critique of Genshin Impact, the gacha genre, and maybe a few other things along the way.

The next big continent Inazuma is available in Genshin Impact - Kamisato Ayaka is one of the main characters:

Collected Miscellany - Kamisato Ayaka: Snowdance Heron

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People only see the graceful dance of a snow heron, but little do they know what lies beneath this elegance: Ayaka's meticulous training. The heart of the sword, the essence of tea, and the soul of chess are like Kamisato Ayaka's heart, which has undergone trials and tribulations and remained steadfast.

The next Genshin Impact update is a big one - Inazuma is coming - here's the 2.0 trailer and livestream:

Version 2.0 "The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia" Trailer

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A foreign thunderstorm tears the sky apart, splitting eternity. Flashes of lightning cut through the darkness, as a god's will manifests. Overcome endless thunderstorms, set foot on the island of cherry blossoms, and witness the Eternity pursued by Her Excellency, the Almighty Narukami Ogosho.

Genshin Impact introduces a new character a wandering Samurai - Kaedehara Kazuha:

New Character Demo - Kaedehara Kazuha: Wandering Winds

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The clouds float above the vast mountains, the sky is azure and the water is still. It's a beautiful day to create poetry. It's a pity that there are always people who don't appreciate the beauty of literature...

Klee is on vacation - a trailer for the upcoming Genshin Impact 1.6:

Version 1.6 "Midsummer Island Adventure" Trailer

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Version 1.5 of Genshin Impact will be released on April 28 - here's the trailer and special program:

Version 1.5 "Beneath the Light of Jadeite" Trailer & Special Program

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SensorTower reports that the Action RPG Genshin Impact earns money faster than Pokemon GO on mobile devices (keep in mind that 1 Billion is 10^9 in this article, which is called 1 Milliard in many other countries):

Genshin Impact Races Past $1 Billion on Mobile in Less Than Six Months

The mobile version of Genshin Impact from miHoYo has surpassed $1 billion in player spending in less than six months following its official launch on September 28, 2020, Sensor Tower Store Intelligence estimates show.

The title has been a global blockbuster since its release, having generated $874 million in just its first five months from the App Store and Google Play. Player spending has remained at an average of approximately $160 million per month since December, and so far in March the title has accumulated more than $148 million. That puts the game on track for its best month since October, when it picked up $233.7 million on mobile alone.

During the last 30 days, Genshin Impact ranked as the No. 3 revenue generating title on the App Store and Google Play combined, behind PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings from Tencent. Outside of China, however, miHoYo’s smash hit has been the No. 1 top grossing mobile game, racking up more than $129 million internationally over the past 30 days. That also makes it the No. 1 RPG both in, and outside, of China.

Genshin Impact is the fastest title to hit the $1 billion milestone on the App Store and Google Play, taking just less than six months. That’s quicker than Pokémon GO from Niantic, which took nine months, and Lineage M from NCSoft, which took 10 months.

[...]

Version 1.4 of Genshin Impact has been released. New content will be accessible over the next few weeks:

Genshin Impact EP - Songs of Melodious Winds

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Here's the trailer for Genshin Impact version 1.4:

Version 1.4 "Invitation of Windblume" Trailer | Genshin Impact

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The new Genshin Impact trailer features the city Liyue and the 5-star character Keqing:

Genshin Impact EP - Where All Ships Dock

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Here are the patch notes for Genshin Impact 1.3:

1.3 Patch Notes | Genshin Impact

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You get new content and a free four star character in Genshin Impact 1.3 - here's the trailer:

Version 1.3 "All That Glitters" Trailer | Genshin Impact

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Thanks henriquejr!

You can play a new character in Genshin Impact - Ganyu:

Genshin Impact - Collected Miscellany - "Ganyu: Ambling Amidst Karst Peaks" Official Trailer

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XDA lists the changes for the huge Genshin Impact update 1.2:

Genshin Impact 1.2 update is arriving just in time for Christmas

There is no doubt that Genshin Impact is currently one of the best games that you can play on your smartphone. Apart from offering some of the best visuals, it also comes with one of the most immersive experiences one would expect from an RPG title. After releasing its first major update in November, game developer miHoYo is all set to release a new update this month. Genshin Impact 1.2 update will be rolling out December 23 at 06:00 (GMT+8). The new update will be available for users on iOS, Android, PC, and PS4 at the same time. It is said to be substantially bigger than the previous update and will include new characters, a new snowy region, new storylines, and a fair amount of balancing changes.

What’s New?

One of the biggest additions to the game is going to be the new snowy region of Dragonspine. Players can expect sub-zero temperatures along with the usual set of puzzles and quests along with new mechanics. There is a new Freeze mechanic (not to be confused with Frozen mechanic) which will basically affect your character while exploring the new cold region. You need to keep an eye on the Freeze meter, cause once it is too low, you are slowly going to start losing health. Expect some items and moves that could help your character to counter the cold weather.

[...]

The GamerCritic has reviewed Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact Honest Review (Mild Spoilers)

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RPGFan reviewed Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact - Game Review

Full disclosure: I’m one of the few people out there who has yet to play The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, so I can’t say for sure whether free-to-play, open-world action RPG Genshin Impact actively tries to emulate it or not. I will note that, from what I do know about BotW, there are quite a few gameplay similarities to be found in Genshin Impact, especially in how you can explore its expansive lands. I do feel that this latest title from developer Mihoyo wears its video game and anime inspirations on its sleeve, in everything from gameplay to animation to character design. Regardless, I found Genshin Impact to be a fun gaming experience, especially once I started looking at all of the various components that make up its whole.

[...]

Perhaps the biggest question about Genshin Impact is whether the game is playable without putting any real-world currency into it. The answer is yes, but with a small caveat. Players acquire three additional characters for free to make up their party of four over the early course of the game, though that doesn’t cover every element or playstyle available. As you progress through the game, you acquire Primogen, a type of specialized currency that can be traded for items used with the gacha elements of the title; once you have a sufficient amount of said items, you can roll for unique weapons or characters to add to your party.
It is possible to collect Primogen simply by playing the game and exploring, so theoretically you never need to put actual money down to acquire it. However, banner pull rates tend to be rather low for characters, so it takes quite a bit of grinding to gain enough Primogen to acquire them all. I managed to pull three characters using collected Primogen during my playthrough, but I pretty much resigned myself to not acquiring any more given how long it would take to do so. Completionists might have a hard time with the gacha elements, but it is quite easy to have a full game experience even without putting in any real-life money. 

Exploration, grinding, and completing quests is also the only way to raise your Adventure Rank, which you need to increase to advance the main story. Unfortunately, this does tend to take quite a while, so players could potentially get bored while slowly working towards advancing the plot. There is also a multiplayer element to Genshin Impact, though it can be skipped entirely if players prefer to tackle things solo.

Genshin Impact might not be the most original game in a lot of respects, but it certainly has a wealth of things to offer players should they still be willing to give it a chance. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my time with it, and I plan to continue playing once future updates are implemented. The fact that it can be played for free is also quite impressive given just how much time you can invest in the game, especially with people perhaps staying at home more and being on a budget. All in all, Genshin Impact is a surprisingly solid action RPG adventure!

Score: 81/100

Mtashed explains why F2P is way more fun in Genshin Impact:

Why Genshin Impact F2P Was 10x More Fun

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New map, new characters and more story quests - Genshin Impact 1.1 launches on November 11:

Genshin Impact - Version 1.1 Announcement Trailer

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Check out all the new content being added to Genshin Impact in its Version 1.1 update!

RPG Site analyzes the open world RPG Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact: Encapsulating the Phenomenon One Month Later

Going into 2020, I never would have dreamed that Genshin Impact would have ended up being one of the biggest titles this year. Don’t get me wrong, I like it quite a bit. Even at Adventure Rank 37, I still log in everyday to do my dailies and pursue various in-game activities to enhance my characters. For better or worse, I have played a lot of gacha games over the years and this feels like the one that penetrated the mainstream audience in a significant way recently. Yes, long-standing titles like Granblue Fantasy, Fate/Grand Order, the numerous mobile Final Fantasy entries (Record Keeper, Brave Exvius, Opera Omnia, etc.), and even Puzzle & Dragons remain immensely popular in that space, but none of them have occupied the social mainstream mindshare the way Genshin Impact has.

This is not to say that any of these games are better than the other. They all have good and bad aspects about them. I’m not here to judge you if you play any of them… well, unless you’re an Epic Seven player.

I kid, I kid.

What distinguishes Genshin Impact from past releases is an amalgamation of several factors: accessibility, scope, and timing. Before we dive into it, let me contextualize this a bit if you aren’t aware of the state of the gacha game industry these days.

[...]

Caleb Simpson reviewed Genshin Impact:

"Is It Zelda?" Review: Genshin Impact (Not Just A Breath Of The Wild Clone!)

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PS: You can build a good Archer with Amber :)

Critical Hit has reviewed Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact Review – Gacha catch 'em all

Imagine if I told you that there was a game out there that blended the lush visuals of Nintendo’s genre-defining The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with the intensity of an action-driven RPG. Picture a world that is teeming with life, characters, and all manner of challenges. Now imagine if I told you that not only did such a game exist, but it was free to play.

At this point, I’d be wiping the coffee off my face that you’d just excommunicated at high velocity from your mouth, because you wouldn’t believe me. At this point, you’d ask me what the catch is, no doubt thinking of some grievously awful microtransactions and freemium barriers. Here’s the real kicker though: Not only is Genshin Impact a damn good game that’s well worth sinking a multiple hours inside of, its premium elements hardly feel intrusive.

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Genshin Impact may be one of the biggest surprises of the year: A free-to-play RPG that gives players an absurd amount of freedom and content to dip into. Some barriers can still be found in the absurdly rare drop rates for premium characters and the world shows some growing pains, but you’re still receiving a gorgeous fantasy world that doesn’t press-gang you into spending money on it. 

Score: 80/100

MMORPG is reviewing Genshin Impact:

The RPG Files - Genshin Impact Review In Progress

When I first heard about Genshin Impact, I dismissed it the moment I heard they included gacha elements because those games often quickly lead to a hard block in progression that requires you spend money to get stronger characters in order to progress. If you aren’t familiar with the term “gacha”, that’s okay, I’ll explain it a little more thoroughly when my full review is ready. Thankfully, Genshin Impact is considerably more generous to new players than I expected and thus far, I’ve put a bunch of hours into the game and haven’t yet felt compelled to spend a single dime.

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Screenrant checked out Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact Review: Must-Play Open World Magic

Genshin Impact offers players a beautiful open-world, satisfying and unique combat, and a colorful cast of characters in a one-of-a-kind action RPG.

The isekai genre of manga, anime, and video games has long fascinated its fans, all too often leaving them wishing they had been spirited away to the same fantastical land they're viewing. The beautiful setting of Genshin Impact's Treyvat is no different. Genshin Impact whisks its players away to a massively open-world that houses a compelling and unique storyline. The visually impressive adventure RPG offers a refreshing take on a mix of genres, and one of the most satisfying combat systems in recent memory.

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All in all, Genshin Impact is a fantastic adventure RPG that feels like the first season of everyone's favorite anime. Treyvat is a gorgeous world that challenges consumer perception for what should be expected from "free" gaming experiences. While it may not have the finest coat of polish that AAA titles can offer, Genshin Impact rivals some of the best adventure titles on the market, and is a must-play for everyone to see if it's a good fit on both their mobile devices and PC/PS4 if available.

Score: 4.5/5

Puppychow checked out Genshin Impact:

Genchin Impact First Impressions + Review + Gameplay .. ( Should YOU Play?!?!?)

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Genshin Impact has been released today:

Genshin Impact is an openworld RPG inspired by the Zelda series

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In a world called Teyvat, certain individuals chosen by the gods are given a Vision — magical gemstones that give their bearers the ability to control an element. The player starts out as a Traveler of unknown origin who is searching for a lost sibling. The player can choose between a male or female version of the Traveler. As the adventure progresses, the player controls several other characters met by the Traveler on their journey, each with unique personalities and special abilities, as they undertake quests to understand the truth about the primordial gods of this world.

MMOByte checked out the upcoming RPG Genshin Impact:

GENSHIN IMPACT Final Thoughts - Everything You Need to Know!

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C4G checked out the beta version of Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact - Preview (An Ambitious Open World RPG) | Hands On

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Genshin Impact is an ambitious action open world RPG. I recently received a beta code, and I got to play the game for a couple of hours. These are my first impressions.

Wccftech checked out the upcoming action RPG Genshin Impact:

Genshin Impact Closed Beta Impressions – Tales of the Wild

If the name Genshin Impact is at all familiar to you, it’s likely because of the game’s rather striking resemblance to Nintendo’s critically-acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I won’t use the word rip-off, but a lot of angry fans certainly did were when the game was first announced last year. Thankfully, the tone changed when developer MiHoYo released a Genshin Impact beta in June of last year and it turned out the game was…actually pretty legit. Sure, some Zelda fans are still upset, but there’s now a certain sense of cautious optimism surrounding the game.

Well, a second Genshin Impact closed beta kicked off a few weeks back, and I’ve had the opportunity to sink a decent chunk of time into the game. So, how is the game coming together? Can Genshin Impact leave its own mark or is it just not necessary in a world where BOTW exists? Let’s find out…

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Final Thoughts

I wasn’t expecting that much from Genshin Impact, but I found myself surprisingly engrossed in its world, to the point I'm honestly rather sad I’ll have to stop playing when the beta ends. If a mixture of Breath of the Wild and Bandai Namco’s Tales series sounds interesting to you, or you just want something BOTW-flavored without buying a Switch, this game belongs on your radar. Sure, there are still some rough edges, and I’m a bit concerned about how the game will be monetized, but Genshin Impact left one on me.