Player World.
As of now, Genshin Impact has updated with maps for two nations, plus Dragonspine.
The currently released map is already larger than the Natlan region that Jiang Mumu's original world had updated to!
Combined with its stunning visuals, detailed models, captivating background music, and compelling storyline, Genshin Impact quickly became a massive hit in countries outside of China.
Players were puzzled. Despite the game's immense content and complexity, which should have strained their hardware, it ran smoothly even on ordinary devices.
Does the game come with its own built-in processor?!
As the first truly exquisite and expansive open-world exploration game of this scale, Genshin Impact has completely broken through mainstream popularity.
Related posters now cover public squares and subway stations, and even the national news has featured it multiple times.
On this day, Genshin Impact's official website released a PV titled "Travail."
Chen Xiyao, who already followed the official account, clicked on the link immediately, as the PV's release coincided perfectly with her live stream.
"The official account posted a PV? I thought this account was dead!"
The backlash from Rola's removal had caused a massive wave of criticism against Mihoyo's official account, briefly pushing it to the top of trending searches.
Yet Mihoyo offered no explanation—not even a single statement.
Eventually, the netizens grew bored of their relentless attacks. The company remained as unresponsive as a stone wall.
Chen Xiyao was among them. Now, seeing the official account suddenly post something, she immediately clicked to view it.
"It's called 'Travail'? Doesn't seem related to Rola at all."
Chen Xiyao clicked play, watching alongside her live stream viewers.
The video opened with Aether's voice:
We had no time to say goodbye, so let's not call it that.
"It's Aether's voice!" Chen Xiyao exclaimed.
After Aether's words faded, Mihoyo's logo appeared on the screen.
Accompanied by music, the video officially began.
Two meteors slowly streaked across the sky.
The war has already begun. It is just a continuation of past battles.
The gods goad us on with the promise of their seven treasures. Rewards for the worthy. The doorway to divinity.
Yet buried in the depths of this world lies smoldering remains, a warning to those that dare trespass.
The scene showed Aether and Lumine standing hand-in-hand amidst a sea of flowers.
"Wait, what does this mean?"
[Riddler, get the hell out of here!]
[Take your time guessing. I find this quite amusing.]
[That's Dain's voice, right? His voice is so distinctive.]
[Why did it pause? Streamer, continue!]
-
"That throne in the sky is not reserved for you"
But mortal arrogation never stops.
None will escape the flames.
See for yourself.
From this point onward, the background music changed to Mondstadt's theme.
Large words appeared on the screen:
ACT. Prologue
Monstadt
The Outlander Who Caught the Wind
The dragon who defended Mondstadt for a millennium finally faces his perturbation.
What does freedom really mean, when demanded of you by a god?
The scene showed Diluc's heroic figure amidst a sea of flames. Upon closer inspection, Rola (Pyro) could be seen behind him, arms crossed, leaning against her spear planted in the ground, her expression defiant.
[It's Master Diluc!]
[Diluc looks so cool!]
[Rola! My Rola!]
[Holy shit, Mihoyo! You're inhuman! Give me back Rola...]
Rola's fleeting expression instantly struck a nerve with viewers, feeling like they'd been hit with another devastating blow.
[Stop kicking her while she's down!]
The screen shifted again:
ACT. l
Liyue
Farewell, Archaic Lord
Chen Xiyao understood:
"This is the direction our protagonist's journey is taking them! No wonder it's called Travail."
[But the wording is so vague.]
[Will there be other nations after this?]
[Absolutely! Why else would they release this PV?]
The God of Contracts, senselessly slaughtered as his people watched on in horror.
In the end, he will sign the contract to end all contracts.
Liyue's representatives were Ningguang and... Qingge (Geo), her face stained with blood, wielding a spear with lethal intent.
[Qingge looks so badass!]
[When was this scene from? Why don't I remember seeing it before?]
[This must be from the future! There's still more story coming for Liyue!]
[Another blade? Surely not...]
[What?! He dares to strike again? Once was enough—does he want a second time?!]
[Absolutely impossible!]
Chen Xiyao pursed her lips. Could people really extrapolate all that from a single image?
Another blade?
Would Mihoyo really dare to do it again?
Aren't they afraid of getting completely roasted?!
Her eyes remained glued to the screen, as everything from this point onward was unknown to them, and no official information had been released.
ACT. ll
Inuzuma
Omnipresence Over Mortals
In the secluded land of the immortal Shogun, the Bakufu rules eternal.
But what do mortals see of the eternity chased after by their god?
The moment Ayaka appeared on screen, followed by a barefoot girl wielding a comically oversized claymore (Hydro), the chat exploded.
[Inazuma! I'm going to Inazuma right now!]
[Who's that little sister? She's so cute!]
[Damn it! I've fallen for another one... no, two!]
[Appraisal complete: Everyone upstairs is a perv!]
The video continued.
ACT. lll
Sumeru
The God of Wisdom's enemy is wisdom itself, and the oasis of knowledge is a mirage in the desert of ignorance.
In the city of scholars there is a push for folly, yet the God of Wisdom makes no argument against it.
The scene showed Cyno, the General Mahamatra, standing next to a girl who, though standing ramrod straight, kept glancing at the camera with shifty eyes—clearly a scheming type (Dendro).
"Hehe, these models are so well-made! I love this girl too!"
"You mean the guy? He's alright, I guess. I heard his design was inspired by someone called Anubis."
[Someone translate this for me! What are they even talking about?]
[I don't get it, but I can appreciate the visuals.]
[What's so hard to understand? The one in front is obviously a guy, and the one behind is a girl.]
[Wow, you're so smart!]
ACT. lV
Fontaine
Masquerade of the Guilty
The God of Justice lives for the spectacle of the courtroom, seeking to judge all other gods.
But even she knows not to make an enemy of the divine.
The screen first showed Lyney and his sister, then a tall, slender girl with an Electro vision, wearing a distinctive uniform and wielding a longbow.
[My eyes can't keep up! Mihoyo's conscience might be questionable, but their character modeling is absolutely stunning!]
[I love them all so much!]
[Yeah, I'm obsessed with the game's scenery and characters too.]
ACT. V
Natlan
Incandescent Ode of Resurrection
The rules of war are woven in the womb: the victors shall burn bright, while the losers must turn to ash.
When the God of War shares this secret with the Traveler, it is because she has her reasons.
The screen showed Iansan and a gentle-looking girl with an Anemo vision gazing warmly at the screen.
ACT. Vl
Snezhnaya
She is a god with no love left for her people, nor do they have any left for her.
Her followers hope only to be on her side when the day of her rebellion against the divine comes at last.
The screen showed The Rooster and the Fatui, then Angie in full armor, her face unmasked (Cryo).
[No wonder the Fatui are collecting the Gnosis! Their Archon plans to declare war on the Heavenly Principles!]
[Isn't this the same plan as the Opposing Twin? Why didn't the Opposing Twin join the Fatui?]
[Angie is so beautiful!]
[So that's what she looks like under the mask?]
[If you'd taken off your mask sooner, I wouldn't have seen you as a villain!]
In the perpetual meantime of a sheltered eternity, most are content to live, and not to dream.
But in the hidden corners where the gods' gaze does not fall, there are those who dream of dreaming.
ACT. **
Khaenri'ah
The Dream Yet to Be Dreamed
Some say a few are chosen and the rest are dregs, but I say we humans have our humanity.
We will defy this world with a power from beyond.
The screen showed Dain.
Now, you who has set foot in this world.
Your journey has reached its end, but one final doorway remains.
Step forth, if you have understood the meaning of your journey.
The screen returned to the sea of flowers, but this time only Aether remained.
Defeat me, command me to step aside, show me that you are worthier than I to rescue her.
Then, the threads of all fate will be yours to re-weave.
The scene was nearing its conclusion. The Genshin Impact logo appeared.
My memory has all but faded completely... But I will always remember how much she too, loved these flowers.
With this, Travail concluded.