Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Preview – The Bitter North Opens

Nearly 6 years after the game’s launch, Genshin Impact finally opens its doors to Snezhnaya in the Version 7.0 update, dubbed “Everwinter Without Mercy.” Thanks to HoYoverse, I was able to get an early look at Snezhnaya, and I was pleasantly surprised by what the seventh region of Teyvat offers. Worry not, there’s no story spoilers here, but there’s plenty to get excited about in what is proving to be Genshin Impact’s most intriguing and important destination yet.

At long last, the Traveler and Paimon set out into the cold and bitter north where Snezhnaya awaits. This region is extremely cold, and there’s virtually no escaping its chill. Temporary relief comes in the form of Kresnik Kristalls, Kresnik Torches, and other sources of warm throughout Snezhnaya, and typically, major towns also offer suitable warmth to keep you feeling less on edge as you travel. Snezhnaya is vast and is inspired by the real-world Siberia and country of Russia, ranging from its chilling landscape to its rich history of hunting, the art of dancing, and much more. Snezhnaya is also the home of one of our most persistent rival factions, the Fatui.

Snezhnaya is Beautiful, Majestic, and Deadly in Genshin Impact Version 7.0

Progressing enough of the main story of Genshin Impact Version 7.0 sees you encounter and unlock the Eye of Graeae, a special tool that helps you navigate the chilling depths of Snezhnaya by generating Prime Ice Constructs that can produce heat, get obstacles out of the way, or open up new routes of traversal. For example, you can generate fiery constructs that let you melt ice that is otherwise unbreakable. The Eye of Graeae has specific lore that I found to be really interested, but I won’t delve into that. What I can say is that this tool will be what you mainly use to ensure you survive in Snezhnaya, since you do have to manage your body temperature meter. The Eye of Graeae also gives you access to a train network, allowing you to visit key locations throughout Snezhnaya without making a long trek in the cold.

The capital city of Snezhnograd is the heart of Snezhnaya, and it’s also one of the northmost points of the region. I didn’t have access to much of the Archon Quest, but you can tell that Snezhnograd is going to be very significant. The city’s Russian-inspired architecture calls to an era that has since passed, and it’s the home of Glupov, the headquarters and stronghold of the Fatui. Druzhna HQ is also stationed here, housing the elite force that protects Cryo Archon Tsaritsa, who lives in Zapolyarny Palace. Close by is the Korolevskiy Theater, the venue where dancers and singers fulfill their dreams. 

Northeast of the majestic city is White Birch Snowgrave, a somber reminder of the region’s long lost glory. There, legends of Belyi Tsar, Snezhnaya’s first Cryo Archon, remain buried in the snow that you won’t want to get lost in. To warm up, the town of Morepesok reminds you that Snezhnaya wasn’t so formidable and bitter long ago. This is actually Childe’s hometown, and you can see why he has pride for his nation just by visiting there. The coastal town is surrounded by frozen lakes and white birch forests, but it’s peaceful. Nearby is Flamefeater Valley, an unexpectedly warm destination that makes you forget about Snezhnaya’s endless winter. 

Hues of icy blue and snow white are abundant in Snezhnaya. You can’t escape the winter, but you can make due as you climb, explore, and discover secrets. There’s plenty of Cryoculus to obtain, and generally, you’ll have the same checklist of things to collect and do that you expect in other regions of the game. However, Version 7.0 offers so much that’s all-new to Genshin Impact, and in some cases, it completely changes the game.

Plenty of New Experiences

Before getting into some new characters and reactions, the new third-person shooter mechanics in Version 7.0 are very much worth highlighting here. The Eye of Graeae gives the Traveler the ability to wield firearms, which come in handy during some special story content where elemental abilities aren’t normally accessible. The third-person shooter sections in Version 7.0 feel really great to play, and that’s something I couldn’t imagine Genshin Impact pulling off well.

You’ll have access to three firearms as you progress Version 7.0, including an assault rifle and grenade launcher. The firearms themselves can activate elemental reactions alongside Frag Crystals, which act like throwable grenades. There are ways to get more firearms, but I unfortunately can’t delve into that specific content—you’ll have to discover it yourself. Besides that, firearms get heavy usage in Shadow Realms, which are scattered across Snezhnaya with a variety of combat challenges. By completing them, you earn new attachments to improve your firearms. There’s plenty of content to use firearms in, so it’s not a gimmick at all—it’s proven.

In addition to firearms, Version 7.0 introduces the new Stellar Swirl Elemental Reaction, the second Stellar Glimmer reaction. By mixing Anemo with Cryo in certain situations, you can create a Stellar Vortex that deals Cryo damage when it explodes. If you keep triggering Stellar Swirl, the Stellar Vortex keeps getting stronger and deals even more damage with its final eruption. It’s quite powerful at a high level, so you’ll want a heavy damage dealing character paired with characters that can continue to activate those reactions. Since Snezhnaya is heavily Cryo abundant, Stellar-Conduct will also prove to be a powerful Elemental Reaction you can take advantage of with Electro-based characters. 

HoYoverse smartly positioned Stellar-Conduct to be a worthwhile Elemental Reaction to build for in Version 4.0, thanks to the update’s new characters Odette and Aloysha. Once under the tutelage of La Signora, Odette is a 5-star Cryo wielder who fights with sword-dancing skills that can trigger Stellar Glimmer reactions and provide buffs with those reactions. She pairs well with new Electro polearm wielder Aloysha, who also uses a rifle and his canine companion Tugarin to activate Stellar-Conduct reactions and buffs while restoring the party’s HPs. You can pair them up with Sandrone and Yae Miko, just as a few examples, in order to really make their reaction-mixing potential shine through.

Genshin Impact Version 7.0 is Going to Deliver

The preview build for Genshin Impact Version 7.0 gave me a considerable but limited slice of what Snezhnaya brings, and it’s very promising. I’m curious about what the main story of this region’s Archon Quest will bring, and the new third-person shooter mechanics add a new gameplay dynamic that I wasn’t expecting the game to have. Snezhnaya is full of secrets to discover in a beautiful, vast environment, the Stellar Swirl Elemental Reaction is fun and flashy, and the few glimpses of new Snezhnayan characters was insightful and intriguing. I think Snezhnaya is going to bring some of the best content Genshin Impact has to offer.

Genshin Impact is available now for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Epic Games Store.

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