₊˚ʚ ₊˚✧ ﾟ. My Favorite Genshin Spots

   I've had a weird relationship with this game for as long as I've played it. I started on version 1.4 because I saw Venti's design online and I found him super cute haha. I looked more into him and into his story and decided I must have him no matter what it takes!!! If I wouldn't have pulled on his banner and got him then, I don't think I'd be playing today.

   This is a lil bit of a tangent, I know, but I swear it'll make sense!!!

   I always end up burning out when playing it, and I've finally noticed a pattern in all the times I did burn out. It's always when I run out of things to do and end up knees deep in "x character build guide" with 50 tabs open on my browser trying to make the best builds possible. In short, tryharding really isn't for me it seems. All the negativity around the game's rewards and the toxic side of the community and all that makes me so sad that I stop playing too. I just want to think of the positives rather than the negatives for once.

  I remember the early days and how much fun I used to have exploring the world, I have 100% exploration everywhere (minus Nod Krai), and with Zhongli's banner rerun coming soon (which I always burn out when it's here and I never got him sobs), I really want to light that spark I had back then. And I'll do it in the form of a love letter.

   There are real artists working on this game, on this fictional world, on the environments, the story, the lore, there's real passion put into it. All I ever see online are complaints about how annoying a region is to explore or how greedy the game is and how "pay to win" it is, and I'm not saying they're wrong. I'm saying that I never see any positivity, I know that could just be the side of the community I happened to fall on or just the loud minority being incredibly loud.

   Either way, I want to do my part in spreading some positivity. If you stumbled upon this and don't know much about Genshin and you still stuck around, if you decide to play the game, play it for the story. Play it for the world you are put into. This applies to people who want to return to the game too.

   So here's some of my favorite locations across Teyvat (as of version Luma I).

   This one's a classic I think. It brings me back to the older version, as Mondstadt is still my favorite region. The home-y vibes I get every time I return will never get old for me. When I would run out of things to do or just need a break, I'd come sit here, so this spot holds a lot of memories for me.

   Narukami Island, literally any spot on here- I just love the atmosphere so much. The sea terrifies me the same way space terrifies me, but it intrigues me just as much, so I'm drawn to anything ocean and water related. I regret not pulling for Kokomi haha

   Chenyu Vale left our minds just as quickly as it released in the game. I don't see anyone ever talking about it when the environments are just stunning. I wish they would've done more with this Liyue expansion. At least it has a bunch of spots for really nice screenshots.

   I've not seen more hate on a region than I've seen hate on Sumeru, especially the desert (and we'll get to the desert soon!). We're so caught up in milking as many primogems out of a region as humanly possible, we forget to stop and smell the roses. Mawtiyima Forest in Lokapala Jungle has those mystical magical vibes I'm weak for. You'll see a pattern of blues and magic as we keep going, not just because I happen to take all these screenshots at night lol, but I am a sucker for cold glowy colors.

   The first time I made it into Orchard of Pairidaeza, I physically gasped. After going through the entire desert, hostile as is, to suddenly being transported in a tranquil environment is just?? So smart??? I tried to take a screenshot of the water ripples you make when you walk on the lake, but I just couldn't. Unfortunate since that's my favorite part.

The lore behind Vourukasha Oasis and the Amrita Pool. That's it, that's my reason,

   I am a Transformers fan (specifically the Prime aligned continuity), so I have a soft spot for big robots. These 2 guys here will have my heart forever with how beautifully framed in the terrain they are.

   Fontaine and Mondstadt always battle in my head for the spot of my favorite region. Here goes Stardust again with their love for water themes. Weeping Willow of the Lake takes the spot as my favorite tree though.

   I was so feral for the floating water cubes in the Research Institute when they were first revealed. Flying in and out of them is super fun too!

   Ahh, The Sea of Bygone Eras. Literally open your map, go to any waypoint and take a screenshot. I can't possibly choose a favorite, but for the purposes of not making this blog 10000 screenshots long, here's only one.

   Natlan isn't exactly my style, not because it's not pretty, but as you've seen, I gravitate towards specific aesthetics. But The Ancient Sacred Mountain did blow me away because I just didn't expect another world quest with a different map! I usually have some idea of what a quest is about from people talking about it online, but I somehow happened to dodge this one entirely until I did it myself.

   From what I know, Enkanomiya is a fan favorite, or at least it used to be, in terms of vibes and story. I turned the lights off (literally), for this screenshot, but it's just as gorgeous with them on.

   Despite not being a big fan of Natlan as a whole, I'll always make an exception for The Masters of the Night Wind. To me this is one of the locations that truly benefit from being seen at night, which makes perfect sense honestly!!

   I'm still in the middle of exploring Nod Krai, but the vibes on Hisii Island stole my heart as a Moon and Space lover.

   I've been taking screenshots for an hour straight, so I'm gonna stop here! But there's so many other absolutely stunning spots I definitely missed. If anyone got this far and is also a player, please share some of your favorite locations with me! I'd love to make another blog showcasing more. This game deserves more praise for its visuals.

     Listening: Broken Mast Bay - Sail North
I've been working on my next D&D character, a water/ice themed sorcerer with a sailor background and I love making character playlists! This one is in his playlist and I've had it on loop for a bit.

     Watching: Gem placement In Steven Universe Explained - toonsnooper
Stumbled upon it accidentally, but it's super interesting! I used to be a big fan of SU back when the show was still airing.

     Playing: Genshin Impact
Makes sense right? I took all the screenshots myself hehe.