Genshin Impact has been on the market now for almost 2 years, with numerous new Version updates. These come with new characters, new events, new areas of the map to explore, and even new parts of the story or new activities, such as Hangouts. The game has changed and evolved a lot over time, which to some can be a daunting fact.
As content has been released and revealed, player counts have ebbed and flowed and for one reason or another, a large number of people have stopped playing Genshin Impact. Whether it was to focus on other games, that they didn’t want to keep up with logging in daily, or that they just ran out of content, there are numerous reasons why someone could have stopped.
This is why I’m pleased to say that Genshin Impact’s Version 2.8 update is the best time for any player, especially those who have been gone a while.
Version 2.8 offers a large new explorable area with brand new puzzles and challenges alongside a great event story. On top of this, more events and activities are coming over the rest of the Version that would give returning players access to new characters, free materials and ways to catch them up on the story. Finally, coming back now will allow players to prepare for the next massive update, scheduled to come to Genshin Impact’s next update. More direct patch notes and information on Version 2.8 can be found here on Hoyoverse’s official website.
And it’s not just a great time to come back for returning players. If you’ve never played Genshin Impact but have always wanted to, Version 2.8 is the perfect time to dip your toe in and see what this game is all about. This Version will help settle you in and prepare you for your future with the game, as well as provide you with a bunch of goodies along the way.
Genshin Impact Version 2.8 is the best update in a while, and here’s why it’s the best time to return to (or to begin) your adventurers with Paimon in Teyvat.
Want more Genshin Impact articles, including guides for new characters? Check out more here at KeenGamer:
- Genshin Impact 2.8 Diluc Outfit Showcase: Is It Worth The Money?
- Genshin Impact New Sumeru and Dendro Information Revealed
- Genshin Impact Fischl Outfit Guide + All Phantasmal Conch Locations
The Golden Apple Archipelago
The Golden Apple Archipelago seems to have become the reoccurring location for Genshin Impact’s Summer events, as it played host to the chaos and fun held last year during Version 1.6.
The Archipelago is unlike anything else in Genshin Impact. There are a bunch of islands scattered around that can only be accessed by Waverider, each containing its own secrets and mysteries to unlock. Last year, it was a nice break from everything and the gigantic central regions that players had gotten used to exploring.
This year, the Golden Apple Archipelago somehow got better.
As opposed to just generic landmasses for islands (which were still exciting in 1.6), the 2.8 update makes these islands change as you progress through the main Event story. These open up as you complete quests with the central cast of characters – Fischl, Mona, Xinyan and Kazuha – with each island representing one of these characters and their fears or stories. It means that each island completely transforms from a recognisable location to something wild and extraordinary, all the while keeping the game charm that makes you want to explore them.
The Archipelago
Whether it’s one island becoming a giant musical instrument whose size can be altered at will or an isle that completely morphs into a great castle with Raven subjects, venturing into each island to complete side quests and find treasure is always a treat. Even the puzzles on these islands match those the islands are based on, such as an Electro Seelie playing a large part of Kazuha’s island (as he is from Inazuma) or Mona’s requiring you to collect condensed pieces of stars to unlock certain chests.
Additionally, because each island is it’s own completely separate entity, you can pace yourself as you explore. Complete one island fully and then move on to the next without the fear of having missed anything. The usual exploration of Genshin Impact is never bad, in fact, it is one of its greatest strengths, but the way it is approached in the Archipelago is far more immediately inviting and less daunting.
If you’ve played Genshin Impact before, especially if you’ve played the 1.6 Version of the Golden Apple Archipelago, revisiting it here is a massive breath of fresh air with some of the most creative landscapes and puzzle ideas that we have seen in-game yet. It feels completely unlike anything else and serves as a way to peacefully reacquaint yourself with Genshin Impact on your terms.
Mona Domain
If you’ve never played Genshin Impact, the Golden Apple Archipelago is a great introduction to the more creative and interesting sides of Genshin Impact’s world design and puzzle design without overwhelming you with new stuff immediately.
The Golden Apple Archipelago is just an area that any current or future fan of Genshin Impact should experience, so get in while it’s here in Version 2.8!
Summer Odyssey Event and Resonating Visions
Alongside the newly revamped Version of the Archipelago comes a new event and event quest called the Summer Odyssey Event.
Just like the Archipelago, this new story is one of Genshin Impact’s best yet, with an intriguing concept that explores their pasts, fears and hopes of some of the game’s most interesting characters. Fan favourites Fischl and Oz, who have not been in an official event since Version 1.1, return alongside Kazuha, Mona and Xinyan in a fun and strangely poignant story that rivals some of the best Archon quests.
Each part of the quest chain explores each character and their feelings in a way that usually isn’t possible, such as the truth behind Fischl’s persona or the ridicule Xinyan faced as she grew up. It’s done in such a unique way, too, with each character having a set of exclusive Domains that contain puzzles and challenges that represent part of that character: for example, Mona asks you to become a trainee astrologist, lining up beams of light to match several different constellations in puzzles that can become quite tricky at times. These Domains feel so distinct from other Domains, even those that have a bit of story, and they are worth experiencing whether you are a new player or not.
Alongside that, there is currently another event running at the same time called Resonating Visions which will give you the ability to unlock a free outfit for Fischl.
Ein Immernachtstraum Outfit Splash
By collecting a variety of Conches (20 to be exact) you can treat yourself to a bunch of Primogems and upgrade materials alongside unlocking the Ein Immernachtstraum outfit for Fischl when you reach 16 Conches collected. This continues the tradition of offering a free skin during the Summer event, as last year had Barbara’s Summertime Splash skin available via the same method. After this event, Fischl’s outfit will go up in the Shop for about 1680 Genesis Crystals, which is about $15, so go and get it while you can!
If you want some help on where to find all the Conches, including those hidden away in the unique character Domains, we’ve written a guide here at KeenGamer showing you where to get all the Phantasmal Conches and unlock your free Fischl skin.
Don’t have Fischl? Well…
Free Fischl!
The Summer Odyssey event is also giving away a free Fischl.
By completing event challenges unlocked after each part of the story, you will accumulate a currency called Iridescent Flotsam which can be used to unlock a Talent Crown so that you can take a character’s talent up to Level 10, and upgrade materials for Talents and weapons and a bunch of Mora. Once you have collected 2000 Iridescent Flotsam, which is not that difficult, you will be able to get the free Fischl via an invitation on the main event page.
Fischl and Her Castle
Fischl is unironically one of the best characters in the game, with great off-field DPS and support potential that will drastically increase the potency of any character she is paired with. If you’re a new player, you owe it to yourself to try and get Fischl as this is one of the only guaranteed ways of getting characters outside of the gacha Banners. If you already have Fischl, another one won’t hurt as her Constellations are capable of making her even better (and if you have her maxed out already, you can convert the stardust she gives for a Resonant Fate).
This is only around for the duration of Genshin Impact Version 2.8, however, so get on it quick.
A Lot of Free Primo
There are a lot of opportunities to get a ton of Primo to spend during the course of Genshin Impact Version 2.8.
The first is the Archipelago itself. By exploring the various Domains and locations, opening chests and completing quests, you can rack up a considerable amount of Primogems. There is so much to do and so many ways to do it that if you just go wandering, you’ll be sure to return with a couple hundred Primogems, or more, depending on where you travel. New locations are always a treasure trove for pull currency, and considering that the Archipelago is only here for Version 2.8, get on exploring to mine it for all its Primo goodness.
Aside from the Archipelago, there are some other ways to get lots of free Primo.
There is a new quest coming called Hidden Strife, which acts as a way to hype up the new 5* Diluc Outfit and a way for players to get very rich. By completing the event, of which new parts unlock daily, you can get up to 420 Primogems alongside a bunch of upgrade materials and Mora. This event was specifically described as a great source of Primo, and it is not hard at all to complete, so make sure to go and complete it for some sweet, sweet loot.
Hidden Strife Event
There are other events too, such as a Waverider event coming later in Version 2.8 and the Primo awarded as you collected Conches for Resonating Visions. Version 2.8 is just bountiful in how much Primo you can get, which is very useful considering who is currently on on rate up and who will be on rate up next patch.
Characters on Wish Banners During 2.8
Arguably the most important is Kaedehara Kazuha, a 5-star Anemo Sword character who is available from July 13th 2022 to the 2nd of August 2022 and he is one of the best characters in all of Genshin Impact. Kazuha can deal very big damage, all the while his Swirl reactions do even more damage and are capable of disrupting enemies, taking them off of their feet and making them easy kills.
He is running alongside Spark Knight Klee, the little pyromaniac 5-star Catalyst from Mondstadt’s Knights of Favonius. Klee has already rerun several times, but she is still a powerhouse of a character capable of some of the highest DPS in the game while just being a delight to play: her unique playstyle of physics-based bombs and explosions is unlike anybody else and is a blast to control.
The 4-star Anemo Catalyst Shikanoin Heizou is also running on both the Kazuha and Klee banners for the first half of 2.8, allowing you easy access to one of the most fun and different characters in all of Genshin Impact while he’s on rate up.
I will note that Kazuha and Klee will disappear soon on the 2nd of August so if you want them, get in fast.
Klee Banner
If you want a guide on how to best build Kaedehara Kazuha, we have a guide here on KeenGamer going through his best talents, his best weapons, his best team compositions and more. We also have guides on how best to build Spark Knight Klee and how to best build Shikanoin Heizou, so check them out if you need some advice.
Both characters are great options to pull for, as if the character available later on in Version 2.8, Yoimiya. While some may not consider her as standout as Kazuha or Klee, Yoimiya is still a really fun and well-built character that you should consider pulling for if you like her playstyle or personality. Yoimiya is a 5-star Bow character who, unlike most Bow characters, does most of her damage through her Normal Attacks as opposed to Charged Attacks. Yoimiya is running from August 2nd to August 23rd.
With each of these characters on rate-up, there is almost certainly someone that new or returning players will want to spend their hard-earned Primogems on… or if you are capable of waiting, there may be some even more exciting introductions next patch.
Preparation for Sumeru
Perhaps the best reason to come back to Genshin Impact in Version 2.8 is that it will allow you to prepare your characters (and your Primogem counts) for the next major update: Sumeru.
Sumeru is the 4th massive region being added to Genshin Impact and it is the region of Dendro. Version 3.0 is going to follow 2.8 and will include so much new content from new characters, to a gigantic new area to explore, new currencies to keep track of, new enemies to face and a new main story Archon quest to get dug into. There will even be the introduction of Dendro as an element that characters can use, with a whole heap of brand new reactions and ways to play.
Sumeru
With all this stuff, it would be very easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you are returning to the game or experiencing the world of Teyvat for the first time. As such, if you start back in Version 2,8, you can begin to get your characters up to level with better talents or artifacts, you can prepare your teams in preparation for Sumeru’s new Dendro-focused puzzles and activities, and you can still save up a bunch of Primogems if you find that one of the new Sumeru characters is to your liking.
There’s no issue starting in Version 3.0, but by coming back or starting fresh in Version 2.8 you not only get to experience some of the best exploration and puzzles in all of Genshin Impact with the revamped Golden Apple Archipelago, but you also get to experience one of the best event quests while making sure you are all well and ready to take on Sumeru day 1.
Version 2.8 is one of the best version updates Genshin Impact has ever received and is a great time for anybody interested to get involved, whether you have played it before or if you’ve never played it. So strap on your boots, get your Dull Sword ready and venture out into the world of Teyvat: you won’t regret it.
