Who would've thunk Genshin Impact would finally have its own TPS?
Genshin Impact's much anticipated Version 7.0 update, which will finally introduce the nation of Snezhnaya, has a new game mode that's equal parts exciting and intriguing: a Third-Person Shooter mode.
What is a TPS doing in Genshin Impact, you may ask? Well, you'll have to find out when the version update releases, but this game mode gives a breath of fresh air to the game's familiar mechanics. Instead of the usual sword, polearm, bow, or claymore, you'll be swapping out the hack-and-slash with technologically advanced guns and an over-the-shoulder point of view.
Yep, you read that right: Genshin has guns now. Specifically, rifles.
So, how do you unlock the TPS? How does it work? Is it fun to play? Here's a breakdown:
Unlock Genshin Impact's Third-Person Shooter with the Eye of Graeae
The TPS game mode is unlockable after you add the Eye of Graeae in your inventory. The Eye of Graeae is a monocle-looking type of technology you will encounter as you begin your journey in Snezhnaya, and is a curious device with a story and mind of its own.
Although the Eye of Graeae has other uses besides allowing you access to the TPS game mode, another factor that completes the mix is the existence of Shadow Realms. Shadow Realms are a new type of location set to be introduced in Version 7.0, which is unique to Snezhnaya. It is dubbed as a mysterious fracture of reality where light, wind, and elemental energy are at a standstill.
In the Shadow Realm, equipping the Eye of Graeae will provide players with a snazzy combat suit for the Traveler, as well as the ability to access a slew of firearms and ammunition.
D-d-d-duel in the Shadow Realm
But the Shadow Realm doesn't only allow you to change your fit. They give you rifles, which do have a use here. These mysterious spaces have a slew of dangerous enemies you need to defeat in order to escape.
These enemies have unique mechanics of their own, adding a layer of extra challenge for seasoned and unseasoned shooter players alike. Some of these new enemies include: robots with machine guns, Fatui agents with guns, and even the annoying hunkering Elemental Fatui fighters (you know, the ones with Hydro or Cryo hoses), to name a few.
Fighting them in an enclosed space can get difficult at times, although Genshin Impact has employed new features in Shadow Realms for you to take advantage of. For one, you have cover to hide behind when enemy fire comes your way, and grappling hooks to easily jump from one edge of the map to the other if needed.
New animations for the Traveler have also been added to the game, allowing you to sprint and slide to move faster while avoiding enemy fire. You can also jump or vault over obstructions in your path.
Besides these additions, Genshin Impact also has an aim assist to aid players who aren't that into shooters to begin with.
Genshin Impact TPS weapons
The rifles themselves also have different capabilities and varieties, the first one you'll get is Shatanaya's Frostsilver–a Cryo assault rifle. The rest will be unlockable in a location called The Hunter's Cabin, although you'll need to fulfill certain requirements to receive the weapon blueprints.
The rifles can be upgraded and customised further by clearing out more Shadow Realms to gather attachments.
Besides the rifles, there are also items like:
- Nalsag's Sunwheel–An elemental grenade launcher that can deal Pyro, Hydro, or Cryo DMG
- Throwables called Specialized Frag Crystals, with each element dealing different kinds of effects
- Electro–deals continuous Electro DMG in an AoE
- Pyro–deals one massive hit of AoE DMG upon impact
- Cryo–detonates after a set amount of time, dealing Cryo DMG max 7 times after detonating
- Hydro–bounces between different opponents, dealing Hydro DMG
Much like overworld battles, elemental ammunition can interact with each other to cause reactions, which in turn deal more damage.
Each weapon has a set amount of ammunition in its inventory. Ammunition can be restocked through certain casks located within the arena, while HP can be replenished by walking into healing green orbs scattered about.
Is the Genshin Impact TPS mode good?
As an amateur in shooting games, the TPS in Genshin Impact felt fairly adequate when I tried it out in an early access build of Version 7.0. It's not as exciting as a pro might want it to be, but it straddles the middle ground between fun and “eh…meh.”
But if you're a long-time player of Genshin Impact who's longing for some variety, then the TPS gives you just that. Sure, the enemies inside the Shadow Realm are same-y, but it's nice to not have to deal with mystical elemental powers crowding your screen for once, and just duke it out with good ol' gunfire instead.
And who knows, we may get to see more improvements to the TPS mode in further updates. We'll have to wait and see!
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