Genshin Impact has been an ever-present title in the gaming space for several years now, but nothing lasts forever. Although HoYoverse has yet to unveil the extent of its plans, it is fair to assume that the game is nearing the final stages of its story. With that in mind, Genshin Impact should take extra care to ensure that its upcoming characters stand out from the crowd.
Genshin Impact has been a smash hit for the majority of its lifespan, but that hasn't entirely shielded it from criticism. Perhaps the most ongoing discussion has been towards the subject of character design. Despite having a very diverse setting, some of Genshin Impact's characters tend to blend together. Thankfully, the upcoming Snezhnaya region is the perfect time to change course.
Genshin Impact Still Needs to Improve One Aspect of Its Character Design
Genshin Impact recently revealed its debut characters for Natlan, which has shown an aspect of the game's character design that still needs work.
Genshin Impact Should Branch Out with Snezhnaya Characters
Snezhnaya May Be the Penultimate Chapter in Genshin Impact's Story
Genshin Impact takes place in Teyvat, an expansive world filled with potential for fantastical adventures. Through the game's gacha system, players can pull any number of characters. Each character wields a Vision, which corresponds to one of the seven elements that hold dominion in the world. Likewise, there are seven major regions within Teyvat for players to explore.
These regions have been added into the game one after the other since its inception, and they provide a consistent structure for Genshin Impact's major updates. However, this structure happens to place a strict timer on development as well. Barring any significant upheavals, Genshin Impact's story appears to be rapidly barreling towards its conclusion.
Genshin Impact recently released the Natlan region. Once Natlan's time in the sun inevitably comes to a close, the game will then steer into the nation of Snezhnaya. Snezhnaya is home to the Fatui Harbingers, who happen to be the ongoing antagonists of the story. Furthermore, it is the last major region that remains unexplored. Once Snezhnaya's time is up, players will only have Khaenri'ah left to explore, meaning Genshin Impact may only have a few major patches before its story is finished.
Snezhnaya Characters Need to Follow in the Footsteps of the Fatui Harbingers
First impressions are important, but a last impression can make just as much difference. Considering it will be the last of the seven nations for players to explore, Snezhnaya needs to learn from every region that has come before it. In the same vein, since it serves as the home of the game's main villains, Snezhnaya's other playable characters should reflect this.
Of course, Snezhnaya doesn't need to make all of its characters associated with the Harbingers. In fact, they don't need to be any kind of antagonist in general. However, the Fatui Harbingers are some of the most popular characters in the game for a reason. Each of them are incredibly distinct from one another, and this could inform the next characters to join Genshin Impact's massive roster.
Snezhnaya Could Be a Swan Song for Genshin Impact Character Design
Genshin Impact has a huge number of playable characters, which somewhat explains why some designs may seem homogenous. If there is any time to break the game's prior conventions though, it's Snezhnaya. Not only is the setting distinct from every previous region, it may be the last chance developers get to innovate on existing tropes.
Snezhnaya's climate is a simple example of a factor that could motivate its characters' designs. Sumeru and Natlan alike have arid regions, and the characters that inhabit them mostly reflect this in their style of dress. By contrast, Snezhnaya is the land of Cryo, and its frigid reason gives plenty of reason for distinct characters. Genshin Impact has had an issue with diversity in the past, and it's unlikely that Snezhnaya could fix this, but developers could always aim for more cultural accuracy regardless.
There are a number of routes developers could take, but breaking boundaries is key. The Fatui Harbingers provide a solid blueprint for what Snezhnaya's playable characters could be like, thanks to their distinct personalities and designs. Genshin Impact needs its upcoming characters to stand out from each other, and especially be distinct from what has come before.
Genshin Impact
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- September 28, 2020
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Publisher(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.
You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.
Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds...
MASSIVE OPEN WORLD
Climb any mountain, swim across any river, and glide over the world below, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery each step of the way. And if you stop to investigate a wandering Seelie or strange mechanism, who knows what you might discover?
ELEMENTAL COMBAT SYSTEM
Harness the seven elements to unleash elemental reactions. Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Dendro, and Geo interact in all sorts of ways, and Vision wielders have the power to turn this to their advantage.
Will you vaporize Hydro with Pyro, electro-charge it with Electro, or freeze it with Cryo? Your mastery of the elements will give you the upper hand in battle and exploration.
BEAUTIFUL VISUALS
Feast your eyes on the world around you, with a stunning art style, real-time rendering, and finely tuned character animations delivering you a truly immersive visual experience. Lighting and weather all change naturally over time, bringing every detail of this world to life.
SOOTHING SOUNDTRACK
Let the beautiful sounds of Teyvat draw you in as you explore the expansive world around you. Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the soundtrack changes seamlessly with the time and gameplay to match the mood.
BUILD YOUR DREAM TEAM
Team up with a diverse cast of characters in Teyvat, each with their own unique personalities, stories, and abilities. Discover your favorite party combinations and level up your characters to help you conquer even the most daunting of enemies and domains.
JOURNEY WITH FRIENDS
Team up with friends across various platforms to trigger more elemental action, tackle tricky boss fights, and conquer challenging domains together to reap rich rewards.
As you stand atop the peaks of Jueyun Karst and take in the rolling clouds and vast terrain stretching out before you, you may wish to stay in Teyvat a little longer... But until you are reunited with your lost sibling, how can you rest? Go forth, Traveler, and begin your adventure!
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms
- Cross Save
- All platforms
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, iOS, Android
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
- X|S Optimized
- yes
