Summary
Genshin Impacthas announced its upcoming Natlan region, and there are already plenty of details circling online. Leaks are rather commonplace when it comes to major updates about the game. While other aspects of the region remain unknown, one recurring feature from previous regions will seemingly stay well into the future ofGenshin Impact.
Genshin Impactexplores the seven regions within Teyvat, and each region is led by one of the godlike Archons, which are each strongly linked to one of the game’s elemental Visions. Within these regions, there is a type of Adventure Item known as “Oculi”. These have featured in every region so far, and are also designed to correspond to the seven elements. Natlan appears to keep one of the features of these Oculi going strong, and it’s especially good news for long-term players.
Genshin Impact’s Natlan Update Stays True to Previous Regions
Oculi Have Always Existed in Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact’s Oculi, plural for Oculus, are a relatively simple concept. They are presumably split into seven subcategories, one for each of the game’s elements and respective regions. For example, Anemo is the power of wind, and players can find Anemoculi within the region of Monstadt. Likewise, Hydro is the power of water, and players can collect Hydroculi in the nation of Fontaine.
Genshin Impactwill feature a new kind of Oculus within Natlan, the region of fire. True to its reputation, players will be able to find “Pyroculi” all across Natlan. The inclusion of a new Oculus variant was no surprise at all, but one particular aspect of Pyroculi proves thatHoYoverse may have finally found its winning formula.
Genshin Impact’s Pyroculi Follow in the Footsteps of Its Predecessors
Natlan will follow upFontaine as the next major region inGenshin Impact, with Snezhnaya presumably being the last nation to explore afterward. Oculi have followed a gentle slope of changes over the course of the game’s lifespan. They had particularly humble beginnings, but are seemingly settled in a comfortable position, which is sure to be good news for long-term players.
There were only 66 Anemoculi to be collected in the very first section ofGenshin Impact’s story. Developers went big immediately afterward, with there being 131 Geoculi in Liyue. The third region saw a jump that was not nearly as large as the last, with 181 Electroculi located in Inazuma. However, Sumeru featured another large increase, with 271 Dendroculi to collect. This increase finally stabilized, with Fontaine again featuring 271 Hydroculus.
Sumeru and Fontaine now pass the torch to Natlan, which will reportedly include 271 Pyroculi in total. IfGenshin Impactdoubled its numbers every single update, players would get burned out fast. Increases early on helped to keep players engaged, but more stability was necessary over time. Now that the game is potentially entering its final stages, the stable number of Pyroculi shows thatGenshin Impacthas the right priorities with its world design.
Genshin Impact Leaks Indicates 5.0 Will Continue a Recent Trend
There isn’t much variance between the categories of Oculi. They share a role as collectibles that serve player progression, and there’s not much more that could have been iterated on from there. With that being said, their importance to progression makes balance a delicate game to play. However, Pyroculi are taking the “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” principle to a whole new level, essentially making the 271 Oculi formula the definitive one if leaks are true.
It can certainly be satisfying to seek out collectible items and finally gather them all, though this endeavor can sometimes become overwhelming for players. On the other hand, having a more manageable task would drain some of the satisfaction out of the act altogether. More recent patches have been on the way to a happy middle, andthe Natlan regionwill thankfully keep this trend going.
WHERE TO PLAY
Step into Teyvat, a vast world teeming with life and flowing with elemental energy.You and your sibling arrived here from another world. Separated by an unknown god, stripped of your powers, and cast into a deep slumber, you now awake to a world very different from when you first arrived.Thus begins your journey across Teyvat to seek answers from The Seven — the gods of each element. Along the way, prepare to explore every inch of this wondrous world, join forces with a diverse range of characters, and unravel the countless mysteries that Teyvat holds…
