Gaming news: ‘Genshin Impact’ enters seventh nation with Snezhnaya launch

Wake up, Genshin Impact veterans: Snezhnaya is finally here! 

The long-awaited seventh region in the world of Teyvat is now accessible following the game’s latest 7.0 “Everwinter Without Mercy” version update.

This comes after six years of thorough worldbuilding and numerous quests in each nation. 

Now, players can finally enter the land of ice and winter, the homeland of the mysterious and powerful Tsaritsa and her Fatui. 

A new chapter in Teyvat 

Snezhnaya is the seventh nation in Teyvat, ruled by the seven Archons, who are similar to gods but hold greater authority thanks to Celestia.

These Archons represent each region: 

• Mondstadt, represented by Barbatos – the God of Wind (Anemo) and Freedom
• Liyue, once ruled by Morax – the God of Geo (Earth) and Contracts; 
• Inazuma, ruled by Ei (Raiden Shogun) – the God of Electro (Lightning) and Eternity
• Sumeru, ruled by Nahida (Lesser Lord Kusanali) – the God of Dendro (Nature) and Wisdom
• Fontaine, ruled by Furina/Focalors – the God of Hydro (Water) and Justice
• Natlan, ruled by Mavuika – the God of Pyro (Fire) and War
• And Snezhnaya, ruled by the Tsaritsa – the God of Cryo (Ice) and Love.

The Cryo nation’s arrival does not just mean another map extension. 

It signals that the Traveller (Lumine or Aether), who is the character controlled by the player, is one step closer to reaching the climax of their journey across Teyvat.

They are also nearing the answers they have long sought – finding their lost sibling and uncovering more truths behind Khaenri’ah, the Abyss Order, Celestia, and Teyvat itself.

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The journey is far from over 

Despite the possibility that Snezhnaya might contain end-game content, the developers have implied that the game is still far from over. 

“Please rest assured, we will neither rush toward a forced or inexplicable ending to the story, nor extend it purely for commercial reasons,” Combat designer Aquaria said, as reported by GMA News. 

“We believe that this journey carries its own meaning, in the past, in the present, and in the future as well. As a product, evolution is an ongoing and perhaps eternal challenge.”

How to get to Snezhnaya 

The new map is also accessible to low-ranking players. 

Players who plan to quickstart Snezhnaya without going through all the remaining Archon Quests first would need to initially complete the Prologue story in Mondstadt, up until Act III ‘Song of the Dragon and Freedom’.

Completing it will automatically unlock a Teleport Waypoint northeast of Nod Krai (from Dottore’s Special Territory Research Institute), directly in Snezhnaya’s Volkodlak Tundra, according to HoYoverse. 

However, players whose characters aren’t sufficiently built or who haven’t progressed alongside the Archon Quests may find Snezhnaya’s bosses and enemies too challenging.

Meanwhile, new characters will soon be introduced, such as four-star Snezhnayan ballerina Odette (a Cryo user) and hunter Alyosha (an Electro user).

The Traveller will also be receiving their Cryo powers. 

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