After years of anticipation, Snezhnaya is finally here. HoYoverse has officially unveiled Genshin Impact Version 7.0 during their Special Program, bringing players to the long-awaited Cryo nation on August 12 alongside a brand-new Archon Quest, two new playable characters, fresh combat mechanics, and one of the game’s biggest gameplay shakeups to date.
Headlining the update is, of course, Snezhnaya itself. Players will board a train into the frozen nation as they begin uncovering the secrets behind its ongoing energy crisis and the growing tensions between its many factions. Version 7.0 also marks the next major chapter of the Archon Quest, promising a deeper look into the people and politics that have defined one of Teyvat’s most mysterious regions, and one of its seemingly most unstable factions: the Fatui.
Odette Headlines Version 7.0’s New Character Lineup
Leading the update is Odette, a 5-Star Cryo Sword character whose elegant swordsmanship takes inspiration from ballet. She’ll debut during the first phase alongside the free 4-Star Electro Polearm character Alyosha, a Snezhnayan hunter players can obtain simply by progressing through the new Archon Quest introduced in the update.
The Version 7.0 banners are split across two phases:
- Phase 1: Odette, Alyosha, and Arlecchino
- Phase 2: Flins and Ineffa
A New Combat Mode and Elemental Reaction
Version 7.0 is also introducing entirely new ways to play.
One of the biggest additions is a brand-new third-person shooter mode, allowing players to tackle dedicated combat stages using a selection of firearms. While HoYoverse hasn’t revealed every detail just yet, the mode represents one of the most significant gameplay additions Genshin Impact has seen in years.
Outside of combat, players will also encounter Prime Ice Constructs, opening up new puzzle-solving opportunities and environmental interactions throughout Snezhnaya.
Combat itself is also evolving with the introduction of Stellar Swirl, a brand-new elemental reaction designed to expand team-building possibilities and create new interactions both in battle and throughout the open world.
Free Rewards and Limited-Time Events
Version 7.0 also includes several limited-time events celebrating the arrival of Snezhnaya. Players will be able to obtain 4-Star Cryo Bow character Diona for free through one of the update’s featured events, while Miliastra Wonderland introduces a summer-themed spooky adventure complete with a free exclusive head accessory and additional rewards.
With a brand-new nation to explore, the next chapter of Genshin Impact’s ongoing story, Version 7.0 is shaping up to be one of the game’s biggest updates to date.
