Players of Genshin Impact are getting a crossover for the ages as Horizon Zero Dawn's Aloy will be coming to the game as a playable character later this year. Fans have been celebrating the release of the highly-anticipated Genshin Impact 2.0 update, but now there's even more to look forward to thanks to this unexpected collaboration.
Genshin Impact's substantial 2.0 update, entitled "The Immovable God and the Eternal Euthymia," released on July 21, and is one of the biggest game updates since the title launched in 2020. It introduces the beginnings of the Inazuma region, which will expand and grow over the coming months. As well as offering three new areas at launch, Narukami Island, Kannazuka, and Yashiori Island, the 2.0 update adds the new character Kamisato Ayaka. Ayaka, who developer miHoYo notes is a 5-Star "Frostflake Heron" character, is now available following the update. She is the first of many upcoming Genshin Impact characters, with the roster soon to include PlayStation heroine, Aloy.
Announcing the news across social media, miHoYo has confirmed that Aloy will be a free addition to Genshin Impact. "Savior From Another World Aloy" will be an event-exclusive 5-star character and Cryo user. The Aloy event will be separated into two phases, with players able to secure the character following two different maintenance updates. The first chance will be after the Version 2.2 update, and the second after the Version 2.3 update. After each of these maintenance updates, players who log into Genshin Impact will be able to obtain Aloy through the in-game mail system. PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 gamers will have first access to Aloy following the 2.2 update on October 13. Those playing on PC or mobile will have their chance to acquire Aloy after the 2.3 update on November 24.
The news was shared along with artwork for the character, which gives Aloy a makeover with a distinct, anime-like Genshin Impact style. The character looks no less deadly than in her PlayStation adventures, sporting her Horizon Zero Dawn outfit and recognizable bow weapon. This isn't the first time Aloy has appeared in a free-to-play game, as earlier this summer PlayStation gamers were able to pick up a special Horizon Zero Dawn Fortnite bundle and take part in limited-time events as part of the battle royale's Gaming Legends series.
As well as Aloy appearing in Fortnite, characters such as God of War's Kratos and Tomb Raider's Lara Croft have also featured in the Epic Games title. The success of Fortnite's Gaming Legends celebrations could be something Genshin Impact explores in the future, potentially adding more familiar gaming faces alongside Aloy's. While it's not something miHoYo has suggested, it's certainly something that many would embrace. Aloy being a free addition to Genshin Impact is particularly welcome, especially as the game is a free-to-play title with microtransactions. Whether or not the Genshin Impact and PlayStation character crossover is just the beginning of a larger collaboration remains to be seen.
Genshin Impact is available on PS4, PS5, PC, iOS, and Android.
Source: miHoYou