The world of Genshin Affect is positively overwhelming, a notion that repeatedly lingers in my thoughts as I hover over the map display screen in my preview of the Genshin Affect 5.0 replace at Gamescom. Hoyoverse continues to usher gamers into sprawling areas with an abundance of delights to uncover, however Natlan feels totally different. From its attractive James Cameron adjoining aesthetic to its distinct biomes, one facet I didn’t count on to face out was the sport’s traversal enhancements.
Throughout my two hours of hands-on time with the brand new Genshin Affect replace, I’m not sprinting and teleporting round to discover, I’m driving the panorama full-on Tony Hawk’s Professional Skater type. And it’s actually, actually superior. This candy traversal methodology comes with Mualani, an upcoming Hydro-based character that sits within the cellular RPG sport‘s demo roster alongside upcoming Genshin Affect banners reminiscent of Kinich.
Whereas the latter two additionally present loads of enjoyable on my travels, Mualani’s moveset has the sauce. Hopping aboard her shark surfboard isn’t restricted to sure areas or missions both. I’m capable of shred up Natlan’s grassy pavilions and sandy cliffsides at any second, till the flexibility is depleted and prepared for use once more inside mere seconds. If her presence as a Hydro character didn’t make it apparent, her surfboard may also stride throughout water with ease.
This useful function shines the very best in Natlan’s beach-side biomes, which seems like a citadel ripped straight out of final 12 months’s Avatar: The Manner of Water – and that’s an excellent factor. Natlan’s magnificence is straight away clear as quickly as you step foot into the area, however Hoyoverse’s artwork course is actually cooking right here.
Natlan’s design is well a few of the finest aesthetic creativity seen in Genshin Affect but. Mualani and Kinich can use their traversal strategies exterior Natlan too, though both methodology received’t be as efficient. That’s right down to the replace’s give attention to mechanics sure to Phlogiston within the area. Kinich’s grapple motion is snappy, however in the end advantageous compared to the spotlight a rattling shark surfboard.
Kachina additionally sits comfortably within the combine, with a relatively comical drill used as her methodology of fight and transport. Nevertheless, it’ll positively be Mualani that rises up our Genshin Affect tier listing when she turns into out there for motion followers, however on the fight entrance, Kinich is a badass.
Earlier than my time with Natlan ends, I’m deep right into a flurry of battles utilizing Kinich’s sensational array of preventing strikes, all of them deeply influenced by 8-bit arcade nostalgia. In consequence, it paints the display screen with a tapestry of vibrant sprites, comic-style slash results, and extra. It doesn’t simply look good, but it surely feels good too.
Natlan is sure to be a smash with gamers, and I assure its success will largely be right down to Hoyoverse’s very good refinements to the easy artwork of exploration. So till you may surf throughout the brand new area, don’t neglect to take a look at all of the upcoming Genshin Affect occasions and use our useful Genshin Affect codes listing.