Genshin Impact Version 3.4 will be released on January 18, adding a brand new region to the game and introducing players to the Lantern Rite. This fairly substantial update is going to let players enjoy all of the New Year celebrations in Teyvat as well as explore a sandstorm ravaged desert in Sumeru alongside the characters Alhaitham and Yaoyao.
This major update features the annual celebration called the Lantern Rite as well as events and competitions in Inazuma. Players can also acquire new outfits and earn various rewards including a free four star Liyue character and up to 13 Intertwined Fates. Two new characters, Alhaitham and Yaoyao, will be introduced into the game and a brand new location boasting “long lost ancient remains and mysteries” can be explored in Sumeru.
When it comes to the Lantern Rite celebration, the company behind the game, HoYoverse, describes how “this year's festivities include a music festival featuring guests from afar and a Paper Theater performance, a beloved folk art show performed by local veteran artisans with the help of the Traveler.” The developer goes on to explain how various minigames are going to be made available such as Radiant Sparks, a racing game which offers players the ability to become part of a rising fireworks display.
The release will include two more playable Dendro characters consisting of Alhaitham, a five star sword wielder which players can expect to encounter after starting the main Sumeru storyline and Yaoyao, a recruitable four star character. “In combat, Alhaitham can create Chisel Light Mirrors to convert his attacks into Dendro Damage, unleash coordinated attacks, and increase the damage dealt by his Elemental Burst to make combat easier,” HoYoverse remarks. Yaoyao is a child from Liyue, a polearm wielder who uses an Adeptus crafted device called Yuegui to deal damage and heal teammates. When out exploring, the character is apparently incapable of spooking nearby creatures.
The latest region added to Genshin Impact is the Desert of Hadramaveth, a brand new area located to the northwest of Sumeru. The developer describes the region as featuring a gigantic tornado that brings turbulent storms and "buried secrets back to the surface." Players will be able to begin yet another adventure alongside the character Jeht, find a mysterious Magic Bottle, and embark on a quest to find the "long lost Orchard of Pairidaeza.”