Version 2.1 of Genshin Impact is set to release next week, bringing new playable characters like Baal and Kujou Sara, new weapons and Artifacts, and even new islands for players to explore. The latest update for miHoYo's free-to-play RPG will introduce two additional islands to the Inazuma region. For players eager to discover new areas in Genshin Impact 2.1, here's everything to know.
The Inazuma nation was introduced in Version 2.0, where it had three large areas for players to explore: Narukami Island, Kannazuka, and Yashiori Island. While these areas offered plenty of exploration and new content, sections of Inazuma's map were still blocked off. Thankfully, Genshin Impact 2.1 will open up two more Inazuma islands, both of which will also feature new or slightly changed gameplay mechanics.
The two new areas are called Watatsumi Island and Seirai Island, and both will feature Phase Gates for players to discover. Phase Gates are a new gameplay mechanic for the game, and according to the Genshin Impact 2.1 livestream, they will primarily serve as a means for players to traverse the islands more easily. Once both sides of the Phase Gate are activated and pointed in the right directions, players can use them to teleport around to different areas.
Genshin Impact's New Watatsumi Island & Seirai Island Explained
In addition to Phase Gates, Watatsumi Island is also home to Electric Lamps, which can be lit if players connect them with Electrogana. Lighting these lamps in a certain order can reveal new things and perhaps offer some interesting rewards. Additionally, Mysterious Pillars sprinkled around the island will alter nearby environments, activating mechanisms and the landscape to change up exploration.
The new islands in Genshin Impact 2.1 are very different. Watasumi Island is a beautiful new area with coral-like landscapes and waterfalls, and the Sangonomiya Shrine is also located here. Seirai Island, meanwhile, is prone to violent storms due to high levels of concentrated Electro element there. Players will have to be careful when exploring this island since traversal mechanics seem similar to the way Dragonspine required characters to survive the harsh cold. A powerful new enemy, Thunder Manifestation, is also on Seirai Island - for players who want an extra challenge.
Both the Watasumi and Seirai islands offer some intriguing new content to Genshin Impact. It's also likely that even more new areas will open up after Version 2.1, as miHoYo continues updating the Inazuma storyline. For those eager to explore the new islands, the wait is nearly over - the 2.1 update is scheduled to release on September 1, 2021, on all available platforms.
Source: miHoYo