Fontaine is finally coming to Genshin Impact.
HoYoverse has recently concluded the v4.0 livestream of its hit action-adventure RPG, giving players an idea of what's to come to the game and what they can expect in the next update.
Genshin Impact's 4.0 update is scheduled to be available for download and installation on Aug. 16. Pre-loading the update is possible a few days before.
Genshin Impact 4.0 Update - What To Expect
HoYoverse's Genshin Impact v4.0 livestream revealed many upcoming features for the game, particularly about what the Traveller will encounter in its upcoming region, Fontaine.
The new region, Fontaine, at a distance.
Travelers who have completed the Archon Quest "Prologue Act III: Song of the Dragon and Feeedom" can find a teleport waypoint at the northeast of the Sumeru Desert, per HoYoverse Studio Technical Director Zhenzhong Yi (via PlayStation Blog). This Waypoint reveals Fontaine on the far shore atop a majestic waterfall to players.
Those that can reach it will see an aquabus that will take them to the major locations of the new region. Once aboard, players can enjoy a "scenic tour" from the special Melusine crew member.
While players can explore Fontaine freely once they reach it (unlike lore-locked Inazuma), its Archon Quest will only become available if they have completed the last Archon Quest, Caribert.
Apart from the new region, the update gives the Traveller the ability to swim and dive underwater without relying on oxygen, per Games Press. Thanks to a blessing they'll receive, players will rely on Aquatic Stamina to swim and dive whenever they go underwater.
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Much like in Sumeru, wherein players can pick up orbs on mountainsides, similar objects called "Recovery Orbs" can restore players' Aquatic Stamina; they can swim through "turbulent Bubbles" to speed up their movement.
Keeping up with Fontaine's theme of water (hydro), underwater combat will also be possible using different techniques. These techniques can even absorb the abilities of special aquatic creatures to defend themselves, spring traps, and obtain treasures hidden among seaweed.
With a new region comes new bosses - the first Fontaine-based boss challenge, the "Icewind Suite," is a product of Fontaine's famous clockwork technology and art, featuring a dancing clockwork meka duo. Players up for the challenge can choose between two themes on which the clockworks will base their attack patterns.
The other boss challenge, the heavily Armored Crablord "Emperor of Fire and Iron," dwells in an underwater cave. This boss comes with a formidable defense, but can also unleash Pyro attacks of its own through its organs.
Quality Of Life Changes
Genshin Impact's 4.0 update not only comes with new gameplay features but also QoL improvements for players, especially for those playing on PlayStation consoles. HoYoverse added Global Illumination in certain areas of Teyvat. This new feature allows objects, especially their colors, to be affected by multiple indirect lights from surrounding objects.
As such, walls, windows, or any other building parts may get affected by indirect lighting from surrounding objects, creating a softer and more natural-looking shadow. Additionally, HoYoverse added the ability to use the PS5 or PS4's motion-sensing feature to fine-tune aimed shots more precisely.
Other improvements include the multi-layered map and the new Party Setup backgrounds and animations a la Honkai: Star Rail, which is intended to provide players with practical and interesting details in their adventures.
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