Genshin Impact v. 4.4, “Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze”, will launch on January 31st. Expect a new map, Chenyu Vale, two new playable characters, and events, including the return of the Lantern Festival.
Chenyu Vale is an expansion to the Liyue area and consists of hills, waterfalls, and villages in a landscape surrounded by mist. There are a number of places to discover, including the village of Qiaoyang, known for its tea, and Yilong Wharf, a trading hub that also connects Liyue and Fontaine. One of the sites you don't want to miss in this area is an elevator that is water powered. However, there’s more to discover in the new map. The adepti will let you transform into a flying carp and soar in the sky to reach new areas unreachable in other ways. There are legendary beasts in the valley, including the Solitary Suanni, a boss you’ll face.
There are two new technical introductions in the update, including what the team is calling Global Far Fog, or GFF. This will let mist and clouds change density and direction so it will make everything seem more realistic in the terrain. another feature they're adding is called Gradient Tint Rock which tints the mountains different colors, cyan, tan, or green, depending on the structure of the mountain, the height, and other characteristics of the rocks themselves.
Two new characters can potentially enter your roster. Xianyun and Gaming. Xianyun is the human form of an adeptus that might seem familiar from previous storylines. Gaming is a five star Anemo catalyst and Wushou Dancer also known as Cloud Retainer. Xianyun can dash in mid-air to attack or even act as a support and boost allies. Gaming is a claymore user whose dancing also comes through in combat.
The Lantern Festival this year features a new kite theme with events, minigames, redeemable items, and much more. There's also a limited daily login event with gifts, and much more to collect.
