While events such as “Lantern Rite” are once-off occasions that (at least for the foreseeable future) fade into the nether once the end date concludes, HoYoverse sure puts some effort into their cutscenes. A fictional version of Chinese New Year, the ‘Lantern Rite’ festivities in January each year have proven to be some of the game’s most memorable.
Now in its third year, and following 2022’s exquisite opera cutscene, we are being treated to an all-out music festival, with this cutscene titled ‘A Brilliant Banquet of Music’ featuring a performance of an original work ‘The Blaze Lillies’ by Xinyan (English Voice Actor: Laura Stahl) and Hu Tao (English Voice Actor: Brianna Knickerbocker). It is all a bit of fun, although I do hope to see a full version released at some point in time – perhaps at the next concert.
But complemented by some gentler tracks performed at the festival, we also get a look at what some of the other inhabitants of Liyue are up to while the festival takes place. It feels like, as the world of Teyvat slowly opens up more and more, the focus may shift from the characters and locales from early-game missions such as Mondstadt and Liyue. But HoYoverse has continued to prove through events like this, that every area is important – and hopefully they continue this.
A shout-out must also go to Youtuber MarcoMeatball, who was invited to voice the event character Dvorak – and did a bang-up job of the role.
