Summer has a different meaning for players and it’s because you won’t see us outside touching grass. It’s around this time of the year that the game has its biggest update and introduces a brand new region. With both Monstadt and Liyue being available from launch in September 2020, we’ve since been privy to exploring the worlds of Inazuma, Sumeru and Fontaine.
During an exclusive hands-on at Gamescom 2024 in Cologne, was able to experience t 5.0 and the upcoming world of Natlan. Of culture and pixel art dragons In typical fashion, a new map doesn’t just denote more of the same areas to explore.
Each in-game region is inspired by the history and culture of real world places. Everything from the terrain you wander through, to the character designs, to the lore – it’s all distinct, and Natlan is no different. The upcoming fire nation is said to take cues from indigenous cultures from around the world, including Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and certain parts of Oceania.
From the flora that look like baobab trees to the Natlan OST sung in Swahili, it’s clear that the references aren’t just skin deep. During the hands-on, we were introduced to three of the six tribes that make up the region of Natlan – each with their own personalities. The Children of the Echoes are a tribe of miners who represent the Geo element, while also being dance battlers with a penchant for hip hop.
The People of the Springs are a Hydro tribe who love water, as evidenced in the way.