Genshin Impact Introduces Version 3.4 Update, Mid January Launch; New Characters & Desert Area Expansion

Developer HoYoverse has just concluded the livestream for the Version 3.4 Special Program revealing the details of the twenty-first Version Update for Genshin Impact, titled The Exquisite Night Chimes, arriving soon on January 18, 2023. In this version update, players can enjoy a variety of events as the Lantern Rite arrives in Liyue once again, this time with a music festival. Furthermore, a new area located north to the Sumeru desert will open itself for players to explore.

As the new year in Teyvat approaches, Liyue once again shines in the full splendor of Lantern Rite. 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. Many different mini-games are also available during Lantern Rite, such as Radiant Sparks, a racing game where players have the ability to become part of a rising fireworks display.

By completing this season’s events and challenges, you can obtain up to 13 Intertwined Fates, an invitation to obtain a four-star Liyue character of your choice, and a new Sumeru-style outfit for Lisa. Furthermore, new updates to the Genius Invokation TCG permanent mode will be coming at the same time. For a limited-time, players can apply a rule to skip the Roll Phase and obtain 8 Omni Dice directly. Furthermore, two new character cards, Klee and Beidou, will be added to the game in this upcoming update.

Meanwhile, in Inazuma, many challengers have gathered to take part in two unique competitions. At the Warrior’s Spirit contest organized by the Yashiro Commission, contestants will duel using traditional Inazuman sword techniques, and enjoy an exhibition match between a special guest and Kamisato Ayaka in her brand-new outfit. Furthermore, Arataki Itto is also setting up the stage for the Almighty Arataki Extraordinary and Exhilarating Extreme Beetle Brawl, where participants have to duel with their Onikabuto and see who comes out on top.

The updates don’t stop however, as a new area located northwest of the Sumeru region, known as the Desert of Hadramaveth, will open up. A perpetual gigantic tornado sits in the center of the desert, bringing turbulent storms and buried secrets back to the surface. Following the Golden Slumber World Quest, players can begin another adventure with Jeht from the Tanit Camps, encounter a mysterious Magic Bottle and embark on a quest to find the elusive Orchard of Pairidaeza (now referred to as the Eternal Oasis by the desert dwellers), where legend has it that King Deshret froze time here in commemoration of the Goddess of Flowers. Furthermore, a new boss, the Seketh Wenut, will be added as a new Permanent Boss.

Two more new playable Dendro characters will be available in the upcoming release. The first is the Scribe of the Academia, Alhaitham. In combat, he is able to create Chisel-Light Mirrors which convert his attacks into Dendro Damage (that cannot be overriden by skills such as Bennett’s 6th constellation or Chongyun’s Elemental Skill), unleash coordinated attacks, and increase the damage dealt by his Elemental Burst.

The second new Dendro character, Yaoyao is an endearing child from Liyue and can be recruited as a four-star character. In battle, Yaoyao wields a polearm and uses the adeptus-crafted device Yuegui to deal more damage or heal her teammates. While exploring, she will not spook nearby creatures when approaching them.

Alhaitham, Yaoyao, and Xiao will be available during the first half of Version 3.4’s Event Wishes, and the latter half will feature Hu Tao’s and Yelan’s reruns, as shown below:

Genshin Impact is a free-to-play open-world adventure RPG that brings players to the visually stunning world of Teyvat. The player takes on the role of the mysterious “Traveler,” who sets off on a journey to discover the fate of their lost sibling and unveils the mysterious secrets of Teyvat along the way. Starting from Version 3.0, players can explore Sumeru, as well as Mondstadt, Liyue Harbor, and Inazuma, three of the seven major cities in Teyvat, each with unique cultures, stories, and vast surrounding landscapes, and offering a diversity of creatures, monsters, secrets, and hidden treasures for players to discover.

Version 3.4 will be available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via the Epic Games Store or Genshin Impact’s official website and mobile via the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android on January 18, 2023.