FINALLY! A permanent summer addition to the Genshin Impact map! Longtime fans of the game have long lamented the loss of access to the well-loved temporary map additions like the Golden Apple Archipelago, but this summer, the HoYoverse team listened to fan feedback to make sure you don’t miss out on the fun!
Excitement for the new region is at an all-time high for players who may have missed Natlan after the livestream and trailer release for Nod-Krai, and the latest characters and summer story have many returning players hooked.
Genshin Impact Version 5.8, titled “Sunspray Summer Resort,” was released on July 30 featuring returning well-loved characters like Bennertt, Chasca, Mualani and Venti. This new update introduces a permanent summer adventure map called Easybreeze Holiday Resort, located in Natlan and we’ll also meet a new character, Ineffa, who is the first Nod-Krai playable character and introduces a BRAND-NEW elemental interaction and game mechanics.
Easybreeze Holiday Resort is the new permanent map off the west coast of Natlan, featuring various events and mini-games. The resort’s mascot, “Asha,” gives players special exploration abilities to glide on water and hover in mid-air. Asha can also be used to spray paint and solve puzzles.
The new area features several seasonal events and tons of rewards. Players can earn “Sunspray Spirit” by participating in mini-games like “Travels Are Fuller With Friends,” “Strikers Through the Storm,” music parties, and spray-painting objects as Asha. The collected Sunspray Spirit can be used to unlock rewards, including a new 4-star Claymore, “Flame-Forged Insight,” and Bennett’s new outfit.
In playing the prelude story quest to the Nod-Krai storyline, we come across Ineffa, a 5-star Electro polearm user. She is an all-purpose household robot created by Aino and introduces the new Lunar-Charged reaction, which is triggered when an Electro-Charged reaction occurs. When this reaction is activated, a Thundercloud appears, dealing continuous Electro DMG to enemies affected by both Electro and Hydro.
For my fellow whale and dolphin players out there, 5.8 also drops a new skin for everyone’s favorite Liyue spy! Yelan will have a new Fontaine-style outfit called “Tranquil Banquet,” which will be available for a limited time at a special discount.
The new update also includes several system optimizations:
- New cloud-streamed tutorial videos are available on the Trial and Talent screens for new characters.
- The in-game clock can now automatically adjust to the correct time for quests by pressing “Navigate”.
- Improved material tracking helps players identify which characters can detect local specialties in each region.
