Diving Deeper: Unveiling the Enthralling Underwater Gameplay in Genshin Impact

Highlights

Genshin Impact's upcoming Fontaine update introduces underwater gameplay, allowing players to explore submerged areas and complete missions.

The 4.0 Update introduces a revamped diving mechanic, offering players a stamina bar to prolong swimming durations and replenish it through the collection of Recovery Orbs. However, diving is only possible in specific areas of the Fontaine region's map, and underwater combat abilities are restricted. Nevertheless, players have the opportunity to acquire defensive abilities by assimilating those of aquatic creatures.

Seas in games are typically used as ways to travel or for specific missions like fishing and treasure retrieval. Players usually have to hold their breath or use snorkels to breathe underwater. However, in Genshin Impact's upcoming Fontaine update, the game has found solutions to allow players to have more underwater gameplay. The new region in the update is surrounded by a massive waterfall, making underwater missions essential.

HoYoverse, the developer of Genshin Impact, constantly introduces new characters, features, and abilities to keep their action RPG fresh. The Fontaine region is the latest addition to the game, offering players a new fantasy journey after the Sumeru arc. During a livestream event for Genshin Impact 3.8, fans got a sneak peek of the Traveler exploring submerged areas of Teyvat, leading to questions about how this mechanic would be incorporated. Leakers have provided details about HoYoverse's new diving feature ahead of Fontaine's release.

Underwater Gameplay in Fontaine Has Combat Ramifications

In Genshin Impact, swimming in the game now offers a new and improved experience. Previously, players had limited stamina for swimming, which would eventually lead to drowning. However, with the 4.0 Update, a blue-colored stamina bar specifically for diving has been introduced. This bar can be used to swim faster and will not result in death when depleted. Players can replenish their stamina by staying still or collecting Recovery Orbs. Additionally, swimming speed can be increased by guiding the Traveler into Turbulent Bubbles. These new mechanics allow for longer and more detailed exploration of the Fontaine region. Please note that this feature is exclusive to the Fontaine region and not available in other areas of Teyvat.

In addition, only certain regions of Fontaine's map are accessible for diving, as not all areas of the waters in the region can be explored. Players have the ability to swim with any character in their roster while in the nation of Justice, but they are limited to only one combat skill underwater, as their individual Elemental Skills and Bursts are deactivated. However, by absorbing the abilities of aquatic creatures nearby, players can overcome this limitation and use defensive tactics to avoid traps and retrieve valuable treasures trapped in seaweed.

Exploring underwater in RPG games is often cut short, leaving players wanting more. Fortunately, Genshin Impact's 4.0 Update introduces diving mechanics to address this issue, bringing a much-needed depth to sea exploration and creating unique combat situations. Although diving is currently limited to specific areas in Fontaine's map, there is hope for future expansion, making this new gameplay mechanism a refreshing addition to Genshin Impact.

Genshin Impact is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and mobile devices. A Switch version is in development.