Summary
Genshin Impactis set to receive a number of changes in the upcoming 4.0 update later this month. Like with previous updates toGenshinImpact, 4.0 will introduce new characters, story content, and perhaps most significantly, access to the France-inspired region of Fontaine. It looks like there will also be some new gameplay features, including the Arkhe system, which looks to expand and deepen the gameplay and world.
Much of the core gameplay ofGenshin Impactcenters on the use of different characters, and how these characters' unique abilities allow for different approaches to combat and exploration scenarios. As the game gets updated, more characters get added, alongside new aspects of the game world, enemies, and abilities. The upcoming 4.0 update is no different in this regard, and the Arkhe system plays a role in fleshing outGenshin Impact’s gameplay and story.
RELATED:Genshin Impact Players Share Life Lessons Learned from the Game
Arkhe’s Role In Genshin Impact Lore
Elements ofGenshin Impact’s lore, like the Heavenly Principles, can be tough to understand, but it seems that Arkhe may be relatively straightforward. Existing exclusively in the region of Fontaine, Arkhe is used by the region’s residents to power various mechanisms throughout their communities, essentially acting as a form of renewable energy. Arkhe is composed of two opposing energies: Ousia and Pneuma. In ancient Greek, the former can be translated to “substance” or “essence,” while the latter means “breath.” These two energies exist independently, but when they come together, they create something called an Annihilation reaction. Annihilation appears to have a high energy potential, making it useful in both civic and military endeavors.
It would appear that some residents of Fontaine can channel this energy as well.Genshin Impactcharacters from Fontainehave special abilities that can be used to invoke both Ousia and Pneuma in a variety of scenarios. This opens the doors to unique gameplay opportunities related to the Arkhe System, alongside storytelling potential.
How Arkhe Will Change Genshin Impact’s Gameplay
AsGenshin Impactplayers make their way through Fontaine, they will regularly come across sources of Ousia and Pneuma, which can be used to achieve a variety of goals. The different energies can be identified by their appearance: Pneuma is blue, and Ousia is light yellow. When a player sees one of these energies in the environment, they can leverage the opposing energy to create the Annihilation reaction.
This will play a major role in combat scenarios. In addition to thenew weapons coming toGenshin Impact, each new character, being of Fontaine origin, can make use of Ousia and Pneuma energies at will. Fontaine enemies will emit a blue or yellow glow, signaling either Pneuma or Ousia energy. Each new character has an innate Arkhe type, and if their innate Arkhe type is the opposite of a given enemy, they can leverage energy-infused attacks to stun the enemy and deal extra damage.
The Arkhe system will be involved with puzzle-solving as well. Many devices in Fontaine are made up of mechanisms powered by Arkhe. This means that players will have to use both Ousia and Pneuma to solve puzzles that implement these devices. The Arkhe system will affect exploration as well. OnceGenshin Impactplayers finally access Fontaine, they may come across a number of chests that cannot be opened. These will require the use of the appropriate energy to open.
While all characters will be able to make use of Ousia and Pneuma via energy blocks scattered throughout Fontaine, the Arkhe system will surely encourage players to experiment with the newly-added characters. This incentive to make use of the new features will hopefully help keepGenshin Impactfeeling fresh and exciting when it comes to combat, exploration, and puzzles. The arrival of the Arkhe system should also provide some intriguing lore content – something that will hopefully combine with the gameplay changes to make Arkhe even more interesting.
Genshin Impactis available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Nintendo Switch version is in development with no confirmed release date.
MORE:Video Game Characters From Different Series That Would Be Best Friends
