After the Traveller’s year-long journey through the forests and deserts of Sumeru, they and Paimon will shortly gain access to the fifth region of Teyvat, Fontaine, when the latest update to HoYoverse’s open-world action-adventure game Genshin Impact goes live in the coming weeks. Genshin Impact Version 4.0: As Light Rain Falls Without Reason is due to go live on 16 August 2023 across all servers and platforms, and will bring with it a whole new environment to explore, the start of a new Archon Quest, new playable characters and much more.
Fontaine, the fifth nation in Teyvat, is renowned as the ‘Nation of Justice’ and a cultural, artistic, and technological hub. Located northeast of the Sumeru desert, Fontaine is under the governance of Focalors, the Hydro Archon and God of Justice. Her influence has transformed trials into public spectacles at the Opera Epiclese, where magic, farce, tragedy, and various performances also take place. The latest chapter of the Archon Quest unfolds here, immersing players in a captivating magic show by Lyney and Lynette and a trial in progress. As you might expect, the Traveller and Paimon quickly get drawn into the events that unfold.
In keeping with its identity as a nation surrounded by water, Fontaine offers players a dedicated underwater adventure experience. Players can explore underwater areas without worrying about running out of oxygen thanks to a special blessing, but they will consume Aquatic Stamina when sprinting. Recovery orbs to restore Stamina and Turbulent Bubbles to enhance movement speed are available underwater. The game also introduces underwater combat, where players can absorb abilities from special aquatic creatures to defend themselves, evade traps, and acquire treasures hidden in seaweed.
Fontaine will also host new bosses. The first Boss challenge, “Icewind Suite”, is a fusion of Fontaine’s famed clockwork technology and art, featuring a dancing clockwork meka duo. There is also an underwater boss, the heavily Armored Crablord “Emperor of Fire and Iron” which boasts strong defense capabilities and can execute devastating Pyro attacks.
Version 4.0 will introduce Fontaine’s first three playable characters, all siblings. The five-star character, Lyney, is Fontaine’s most renowned magician. He is a pyro-element archver who can perform Pyro magic tricks, transform into a Grin-Malkin Cat, and launch fireworks in combat. His younger sister, Lynette, a four-star Anemo character, wields a sword and can approach enemies at disconcerting speed. For players above Adventure Rank 25, she will sneak her way into your party guaranteed by completing an upcoming seasonal event. The youngest sibling, Freminet, is an exceptional diver and a four-star Claymore user, who can launch Cryo and Physical attacks with the fully-pressurized Pers. Interestingly, no Hydro element character is introduced in this water-dominated land.
In the first half of Version 4.0, players can recruit Lyney, Lynette, and Yelan through two separate Event Wish banners. The latter half will focus on Zhongli, Tartaglia, and the debut of Freminet.
Genshin Impact Version 4.0 shall also introduce new functions and features to optimize the gaming experience. Global Illumination (GI) and motion sensor support (Gyroscope) are among the technical improvements for PlayStation consoles, promising improved graphics, refined controls, and an enhanced sense of immersion. Other refinements, such as the multi-layered map and the new Party Setup backgrounds and animations, aim to provide players with practical and interesting details to further enrich their adventures.
All the above and more await when Genshin Impact Version 4.0: As Light Rain Falls Without Reason launches on the PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4 and Playstation 5 gaming platforms come 16 August 2023.
IMPORTANT
Just a reminder that Genshin Impact, like many mobile games, is powered by a gacha system for pulling many of the game’s characters and 5-star weapons. This is considered to be a “game-of-chance”, and therefore if you are someone who likes to bet over their head or has any form of gambling addiction, this may not be a game for you. At the end of the day, this is a game with digital characters which nobody should risk their financial stability over.
