Returnal appears to be Sony’s slowest PC launch to date.
According to SteamDB, the roguelike shooter had less than 7,000 concurrent players during its first weekend. Sackboy: A Big Adventure, the only game in Sony’s recent PC catalog that performed worse, had only 610 peak, concurrent players.
Sony’s other PC ports have fared far better, with God of War leading the pack with approximately 74,000 concurrents, Marvel’s Spider-Man with approximately 66,000, Horizon Zero Dawn with approximately 56,000, and Days Gone with approximately 28,000.
It’s worth noting that, while Returnal received positive reviews and industry accolades in the year following its release, it’s a much smaller IP than God of War or Spider-Man.
Returnal was released this week for PC and is currently the 165th most-played game on Steam in the last 24 hours. Despite being a far larger IP than Returnal, Uncharted: The Legacy of Thieves Collection managed a similarly low 10,851 concurrent player count during its debut weekend, indicating that even some of PlayStation’s larger IPs have yet to make a significant impact on PC.
Sony claimed in June 2021 that the game sold approximately 560,000 copies on PlayStation 5 during the first two months, which was within its expectations.
Returnal’s PC port was finally announced in December 2022, after months of speculation. Although the title will incorporate ideas and narrative systems originally planned for Returnal, Housemarque’s next game will be a new intellectual property rather than a sequel.
Resident Evil 4 is remembered as a highly influential entry in the survival horror genre for perfectly combining competent action game experience with chaos.
Resident Evil 4’s revolutionary design forever changed the survival horror genre. Since the original Resident Evil in 1996, the Resident Evil franchise has been regarded as the pinnacle of survival horror. However, as this formula became stale, Resident Evil 4 was tasked with revitalizing the series in order to keep it from being cancelled. RE 4 did much more than that: it not only delighted audiences, but it also established the standard for all third-person shooters to follow.
This shift, however, drew criticism from some critics: Resident Evil 4 was accused of having a story that was more action than horror. Leon delivered one-liners, performed incredible feats of athleticism, and even addressed the camera in the opening cutscene. With Leon adopting this sardonic demeanor, it’s difficult to believe he’s ever in real danger. Some felt that these Hollywood B-movie tropes detracted from the scares in Resident Evil 4, and that they diluted the survival horror essence of the Resident Evil series and all future survival horror games.
Resident Evil 4 redefined survival horror by allowing the player to control the situation.
Resident Evil 4 director Shinji Mikami sees survival horror in a completely different light than most critics, dismissing their concerns about the game’s inclusion of action entirely. In the West, popular opinion holds that survival horror games constantly put the player at a disadvantage in order to maintain the player’s sense of helplessness. This is why the characters in the best survival horror games are usually weak and difficult to control. However, Mikami defines survival horror as “a game where fear and a sense of exhilaration coincide” (via Game Informer). With this definition, action is an ideal companion to horror.
Resident Evil 4’s improvements made it a standout in the survival horror genre.
Mikami acquires this action integration by giving the player more control over the camera. In previous Resident Evil games, the camera was fixed in place, which not only overcame hardware limitations but also gave horrific moments a cinematic staging. However, in order to meet the action-oriented demands of modern players, this camera system had to be replaced. Resident Evil 4 instead used an over-the-shoulder perspective, giving the player more control over their firearm aim and allowing them to direct the action. This change also made Resident Evil’s tank controls more intuitive, as well as hiding enemies out of sight behind players for more realistic scares.
Along with this shift in perspective, RE 4 provides Leon with a larger arsenal to choose from. The increased firepower contributes to Mikami’s “sense of exhilaration” through over-the-top violence, but this change benefits more than just the game’s action. The abundance of resources encourages players to use ammo more frequently in the short term rather than saving it for a hypothetical future situation. This heightens the tension because the player must act quickly in order to survive. The opening village sequence exemplifies this philosophy, pitting Leon against a swarm of hive-minded enemies and requiring the player to make the best use of the limited resources.
Mikami’s vision of a then-modern survival horror game was served by Resident Evil 4’s over-the-shoulder camera and heightened combat. While some critics believe that the increased emphasis on action tainted the genre for years to come, there is no doubt that the development of RE 4 spawned a slew of well-known franchises. Devil May Cry is the most well-known example, taking edgy action to its logical conclusion, but Dead Space and The Last of Us both credit RE 4 as an inspiration for their eerie gameplay. Resident Evil 4 demonstrates that the genre must be adaptable and flexible.
How has Resident Evil 4 influenced gaming?
Resident Evil 4 was able to provide organic cinematic sequences in exchange for a more linear overall game design that largely replaced exploration and puzzle solving with a series of carefully orchestrated moments. It was no longer necessary to simply watch a game’s film-like moments.
On January 11, 2005, Resident Evil 4 was released. While the rest of the world was celebrating the release of what was widely regarded as an instant classic, these gamers stood on the sidelines, shaking their heads at how this latest installment was a shambles. “It’s not even a Resident Evil title,” they claimed. Or, as Eurogamer put it in their 2005 review of the game, “we’re not entirely convinced that the long-term adventurer will appreciate having the need for lateral thought replaced with action.” Those who questioned Resident Evil 4 insisted they didn’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, but they couldn’t help but notice the clouds on the horizon.
Resident Evil 4 was able to bring the survival horror genre – and video games in general to the next generation thanks to this change. Its camera movement, button prompts, and challenging enemies paved the way for later third-person shooter titles like Uncharted and The Last of Us.
Everyone else laughed at the time. Resident Evil 4 was more than just a great game; it was a true revolution. Capcom’s desire to revitalize the Resident Evil franchise went through several failed incarnations during development (one of which became Devil May Cry), but the studio knew that the fourth Resident Evil title needed to destroy most of the series’ conventions.
With games like Dead Space and The Last of Us popularizing the “over-the-shoulder” third-person view, it influenced the evolution of the survival horror and third-person hybrid genre. Resident Evil 4 will be remade for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows in 2023.
After much anticipation, Neowiz has released a new cinematic trailer announcing the release date for the action game Lies of P with Bloodborne and Soulslike elements.
A new official launch window trailer for Lies of P has been made available by the Korean developer and publisher Neowiz. The teaser comes after the recently unveiled Lies of P trailer, which depicts Pinocchio fending off some terrifying Victorian horrors.
Lies of P, like Steelrising and Thymesia, looks to draw more inspiration from Bloodborne than Dark Souls due to its setting in the late 1800s. Lies of P seeks to represent “a collapsed city bereft of prosperity,” in contrast to the Belle Epoque era, which was characterized by optimism, peace, and economic prosperity as well as technological, scientific, and cultural innovations. After much anticipation, Neowiz has finally provided a launch date for the action-packed, grim Belle Epoque-themed Soulslike game. Since its initial announcement in 2021, Lies of P has piqued fans’ interest.
The launch window trailer does a good job of reinforcing the tone and plot by displaying a horrifying monster come to life and featuring a voice-over from what appears to be the antagonist of the narrative. The trailer ends by announcing the August 2023 release date and encouraging viewers to add the game to their wishlists for PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Additionally, Lies of P will be available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day, giving Game Pass subscribers a fantastic opportunity to start playing right away.
Although Thymesia and Steelrising are already playable, Lies of P is still in the spotlight and is anticipated to be the most similar to Bloodborne. While Bloodborne’s comparison to Lies of P means Neowiz will be able to establish a name for itself, there is a lot to live up to. With Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls having established the Soulslike genre, FromSoftware had twenty years of experience by the time Bloodborne was released. However, Neowiz has more expertise in smaller-scale initiatives and poker games.
However, the various trailers and gameplay, including the recent stunning Lies of P 8K gameplay footage, seem to have allayed any concerns about what the Korean studio can deliver. Despite the fact that Neowiz’s other endeavors are much smaller in scope, the company has released a number of games that have received generally positive reviews. Hidden gems include the stylish 2D games Metal Unit and 8 Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure as well as the more well-known game Skul: The Hero Slayer. Fans won’t have to wait too long to find out if Lies of P lives up to expectations with the August release date.
Lies of P is scheduled to release in August 2023 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia ups its investment in Nintendo and overtakes all other outside investors as the company’s largest shareholder.
Saudi Arabia expanded its investment in Nintendo, becoming the company’s largest outside shareholder. The sovereign wealth fund has increased its stake in Nintendo for the second time this week, confirming Saudi Arabia’s position as a major investor in the esports and gaming industries.
Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in gaming over the last few years through its Savvy Games Group division. Last year, this Saudi Arabia state-owned company paid nearly $1.5 billion for the acquisition of ESL Gaming and FACEIT, combining the two esports tournament organizers into a single powerful entity. Capcom, Nexon, Activision, and Embracer are among the companies in which the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund has a stake. The country’s ambition, according to Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Board of Savvy Games Group, is to “make Saudi Arabia the ultimate global hub for the games and esports sector by 2030.”
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia became Nintendo’s largest outside investor, owning 8.26% of the popular Japanese gaming company. Saudi Arabia increased its holdings of Nintendo stock through the Savvy Games Group from 6% in January to over 8% one month later. This investment is part of Saudi Arabia’s plan to invest heavily in the gaming market, putting it ahead of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund but trailing Nintendo as the company behind iconic franchises such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda.
Saudi Arabia’s gaming investments aim to establish the country as a major player in the industry, with a presence ranging from esports tournaments to major game developers and publishers. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is said to be worth more than $1 billion in both Capcom and Nexon, while the Savvy Games Group has a reported budget of $38 billion to invest in various gaming companies around the world.
This Saudi investment should have no effect on Nintendo’s future plans, as the company recently announced the first wave of DLC for Splatoon 3 as well as a slew of new games during its Nintendo Direct presentation. This year, Nintendo is releasing a slew of highly anticipated games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe, and Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp. Despite these upcoming games, fans are still hoping for a Nintendo Switch successor, which does not appear to be on the horizon.
Square Enix has revealed how North American players can join the Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival in Las Vegas in July 2023. Ticket Information for the Final Fantasy 14 Las Vegas Fan Festival Has Been Revealed.
Final Fantasy 14’s major patch and expansion reveals are frequently made at annual Fan Festivals held around the world, and Square Enix has just revealed all the details for the upcoming Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas. Endwalker’s release was viewed as a huge success by both players and developers, as the subscriber count in Final Fantasy 14 more than doubled – and, perhaps more miraculously, it continues to grow.
Many fans are hoping that Square Enix will tease the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion now that Endwalker’s patch content is in full swing. While it is unknown whether an announcement trailer will be shown at the Fan Festival in Las Vegas, it is important to remember that Endwalker was revealed roughly ten months before its December release. Considering this, as well as the fact that the Fan Festival will be held in July, all indications point to the next chapter of Final Fantasy 14 not being released in 2023.
The official website for the Fan Festival 2023 in Las Vegas was created by Square Enix earlier today. It contains information on how gamers can attend, including eligibility requirements, ticket ordering options, and the application deadline. Because of the growing popularity of Fan Festivals, Square Enix decided to introduce a lottery system for the occasion, perhaps as inspiration from the house lottery in Final Fantasy 14. From February 17 to February 25 at 11:59 PM, players with active subscriptions in the North American region are eligible to apply (PST).
Square Enix is requesting fairness from the North American community by asking them to only register if they truly intend to buy tickets for the Fan Festival. Registering for the lottery does not obligate the user to pay the $200 ticket charge for the event. Players of Final Fantasy 14 who are fortunate enough to be chosen will hear from Square Enix by March 3 at the email address associated with their Square Enix account.
The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival will be held in Las Vegas on July 28 and 29, although gamers from other areas will be able to join the event in London on October 21 and October 22, and in Tokyo on January 7 and January 8, 2024. Although though Final Fantasy 14’s current Patch 6.3 is well-liked by gamers, many of them are curious as to what Square Enix’s developers have in store for the game following Endwalker’s spectacular finale to a ten-year narrative. They might just find the answers they’re looking for in Las Vegas.
Final Fantasy 14 is now available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet update adds new Box features as well as bug fixes. However, no mention of Pokemon home integration has been made.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will soon receive an update, according to new information from Nintendo.
The version 1.2.0 update, due out at the end of February, will add new features to Pokémon Boxes, making them more useful. Aside from that, the update appears to be primarily focused on bug fixes, including a number of battle-related issues (and Tera Raid battles in particular).
One thing that isn’t mentioned in the notes is compatibility with the Pokémon Home app, which The Pokémon Company says will be available in spring 2023. The app received an update in early February that added information about Ranked Battles from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, leading some to believe that preparations were being made to fully integrate the app in the game’s next update.
However, based on the patch notes as of now, it does not appear that this will be the case, though Nintendo emphasizes: “We are planning additional features and bug fixes not listed in these patch notes.”
The following are the complete patch notes (so far):
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet – Update Ver 1.2.0 Patch Notes ( as of February 17)
Thank you for playing the Pokémon series.
Below are some details regarding the version 1.2.0 update planned for release in late February 2023 for the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games.
With this update, we are planning to add features to Pokémon Boxes and fix bugs that affect game progress, among other updates. We will continue to take your feedback very seriously and take measures to improve your gameplay experience.
Feature Adjustments
Additional functionality will be added for Pokémon Boxes:
From a Pokémon’s summary, players will be able to change Pokémon’s nicknames, markings, held items, and mark- or Ribbon-related titles, as well as being able to reorder moves, have Pokémon remember moves, have Pokémon forget moves, and use TMs.
Players will be able to swap out held items by pressing the Y Button when in the Held Items view.
Players will be able to select All Boxes while moving Pokémon or items in the Party and Boxes view and Held Items view.
When in the Battle Team view, Pokémon in your Boxes that are assigned to a Battle Team will now have their icons displayed in a darker hue if those Pokémon are members of the Battle Team that is currently being displayed.
The News screen will be displayed when you connect to the internet from the main menu, just as it is when connecting to the internet from the Poké Portal.
Bug Fixes
Tera Raid Battles
A bug that can prevent an opposing Tera Pokémon’s HP gauge from properly reflecting damage done by certain moves (such as Play Rough) or certain status conditions may occur in Tera Raid Battles, resulting in the Tera Pokémon’s HP gauge fluctuating in an unusual manner. This will be fixed.
A bug that causes all Pokémon on your side to faint at once despite their HP gauges indicating that they still have HP may occur in black crystal Tera Raid Battles against Pokémon with the Mightiest Mark. This will be fixed.
A bug that can temporarily prevent a player from entering any input into the game may occur if a Tera Pokémon takes certain actions while the player is choosing the target of their move. This will be fixed.
A bug that causes a communication error may occur when someone connecting to a Tera Raid Battle sees a different Pokémon displayed on their screen than what the host sees. This will be fixed.
A bug may occur that causes players joining a Tera Raid Battle from the Tera Raid Battles search screen to be brought to a Tera Raid Battle against a Pokémon different from the one they saw displayed. This will be fixed.
A bug that causes Tera Raid Battle crystals to not appear for a set amount of time may occur under certain circumstances. This will be fixed.
Battles
Type matchups against Pokémon that have fainted will no longer appear when selecting a move or target during Double Battles.
A Zoroark that has Terastallized and is disguised as another Pokémon via its Illusion Ability can be identified as a Zoroark by using the Check Target option. This is a bug and will be fixed.
When a Zoroark has Terastallized and is disguised as another Pokémon via its Illusion Ability, the type matchups of moves are displayed based on the type of the Pokémon that Zoroark is disguised as, rather than Zoroark’s Tera Type. This is a bug and will be fixed.
The stats of a Dondozo with a Tatsugiri in its mouth will increase when Dondozo uses Order Up, even when the move should have been negated (for example, by an opponent using Protect). This is a bug and will be fixed.
If a Pokémon Terastallizes after using Destiny Bond and then faints, the effects of Destiny Bond will fail to activate. This is a bug and will be fixed.
Other
We will address an issue that can cause the game to forcibly close at certain locations. As a result of this fix, there may be a reduction of Pokémon and people displayed in certain towns or in the wild.
When a Pokémon that is not a part of the Paldea Pokédex is obtained through a Link Trade, it is displayed as being registered to the Paldea Pokédex. This is a bug and will be fixed.
Certain actions can cause the main character’s expressions to not change until the game is closed and reopened. This will be fixed.
A bug occurred for some players after Ranked Battles Season 1, wherein visiting the Ranked Battles screen immediately after the season’s results had been calculated caused a communication error right after these players received their rewards. Following this error, players were unable to participate in any further Ranked Battles. This will be fixed.
If a player has created several Battle Teams but does not use the Battle Team in the first slot for their Ranked Battles, they may not receive the Master Rank Ribbon after winning Ranked Battles in the Master Ball Tier. This will be fixed.
When a Pokémon you caught comes back to you from another player through Link Trade, it may not listen to your commands in accordance with what is written in the profile app (“Pokémon caught at Lv. XX or below will listen to your commands”). This will be fixed.
A bug is preventing the Pokédex from displaying additional entries (such as entries for Shiny Pokémon or Pokémon that were received through Surprise Trade from players that play in a different language) for Pokémon species that were already registered in the Pokédex. This will be fixed.
Objects such as Poké Balls may be displayed in certain locations of the field unintentionally. This will be fixed.
Passersby will no longer be displayed during certain battles that take place in towns during the main story.
Other select bug fixes will be implemented.
Notes:
We are planning further features and bug fixes not listed in these patch notes. Please check back here for full details when the update data is distributed.
Update contents and details are subject to change.
The universe of Hogwarts Legacy is full of interesting easter eggs, and one player may have discovered how the game makes reference to a particular arachnophobic Weasley.
The world of Hogwarts Legacy is teeming with magical creatures and oddities, and a keen player may have noticed how a minor side quest contains a cleverly hidden reference to one of Harry Potter’s best friends. This is just one of the game’s many Easter Eggs and references.
Hogwarts Legacy takes place in the same magical world that the Harry Potter books and films have created over the years. The game takes place a few decades before Harry Potter’s adventures and tells the story of a young wizard with the ability to sense ancient magic. This Action RPG title puts players in the shoes of a young wizard who must finish their fifth year at Hogwarts while foiling an evil plot by Dark Wizards and Goblins. The game’s expansive open-world structure allows players to explore the halls of the legendary school, fly around the school grounds, and even walk through locations such as Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, which most players have come to know and love thanks to the books and movies.
Hogwarts Legacy encourages players to search every inch of Hogwarts and other areas for secrets and hidden opportunities. In one of these adventures, Reddit user Leon Depisa discovered that a small side quest called “Follow The Butterflies” contains a cleverly hidden reference to one Ronald Weasley. Clementine Willardsey at Hogsmeade offers the side quest, which takes the players on a leisurely stroll through the Forbidden Forest. Harry and Ron must follow a trail of spiders into the Forbidden Forest in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Ron, who suffers from severe Arachnophobia, is terrified by the prospect and expresses his displeasure, “What’s the deal with spiders? “Follow the butterflies,” why not?”
This isn’t the only reference to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Hogwarts Legacy; the girls’ bathroom in Slytherin dungeons, where the entrance to the fabled chamber is located, can also be visited. If the chamber isn’t enough, players can also spot Salazar Slytherin’s pet Basilisk crawling around the castle. Other Easter Eggs are bound to be discovered as players continue to explore the world of Hogwarts Legacy, carefully hidden away by developers as a sign of respect.
Hogwarts Legacy is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The PS4 and Xbox One versions will be available on April 4, while the Nintendo Switch version will be available on July 25, 2023.
Free PlayStation Plus online multiplayer weekend has been announced by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
From February 18-19, online multiplayer modes for PS4 and PS5 titles will be available without a PlayStation Plus subscription. To take part in the promotion, players must have a PlayStation Network account.
Sony announced that during the free multiplayer weekend, players will be able to compete in PlayStation Plus-branded FIFA 23, Guilty Gear -Strive-, and NBA 2K23 tournaments.
The February PlayStation Plus Essential games were released last week. Members can claim OlliOlli World (PS5/PS4), Mafia Definitive Edition (PS4), Evil Dead: The Game (PS5/PS4), and Destiny 2: Beyond Light (PS5/PS4 DLC) until March 6.
Sony confirmed this month’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog titles earlier today, which will be available on February 21.
Horizon Forbidden West, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Outriders, Scarlet Nexus, Borderlands 3, Tekken 7, and The Forgotten City are among them.
Sony has announced that the PlayStation Plus Collection will be discontinued in May. The collection, which will be released in 2020, will include 19 PS4 games that PlayStation Plus subscribers can claim and play on PS5 for free.
After six months of trying and multiple game uninstalls, an Elden Ring player finally succeeds in taking down a challenging boss.
One Elden Ring fan succeeds after six months of trying to defeat a difficult boss. As they progress through Elden Ring, players will encounter a number of challenging bosses and mini-bosses, some of which are thought to be among the game developer FromSoftware’s most difficult encounters.
While the Elden Ring main quest has plenty of difficult boss fights, some of the toughest encounters are in the optional late-game areas. Malenia is typically regarded as the game’s most difficult boss, with Godskin Duo and Alecto also being notable for their difficulty. After months of tries, one Elden Ring player has now successfully defeated a main story boss.
Reddit user Bandit Ke1th recently posted a message claiming to have finally defeated Maliketh, The Black Blade, after six months of trying. In the post’s title, Bandit Ke1th mentions that they uninstalled Elden Ring twice as a result of failing to defeat Maliketh, but they ultimately succeeded after trying again. Although users in the comments section mention one of the reasons they were unsuccessful for six months, the player mentions how satisfying it was to defeat a challenging boss.
Because they have been ignoring vigor while leveling up in Elden Ring, Bandit Ke1th, as can be seen in the image, has a very small health pool for this point in the game. Maliketh is one of the game’s last few mandatory bosses, and FromSoftware probably designed this fight with a much larger health reserve in mind. After discussing the next story boss, Gideon, and how to defeat him, some users joke that Bandit Ke1th will once again uninstall Elden Ring after defeating him.
The low vigor stat is a topic that is discussed frequently in the comments, with one commenter wondering why Bandit Ke1th persisted. The fight is made even more difficult, according to some players, by the fact that Bandit Ke1th has a 5% health debuff after hugging Fia in Elden Ring. Although Maliketh is regarded as being challenging, users seem to concur that the player wouldn’t have needed six months to defeat him if he had had a larger health reserve. More Elden Ring advice can be found in the following comments, where players also discuss tactics for the game’s various bosses.
Gamers should be aware that Bandai Namco is celebrating its first anniversary by hosting a special Elden Ring event on February 25. Even though there hasn’t been any confirmation that DLC announcements were made at this event, a recent change to Elden Ring’s Steam page raises the possibility that fresh material will be available soon.
Elden Ring is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The first-day sales figures for the ongoing Limited Character Banner with Yelan and Hu Tao are displayed on a Genshin Impact chart.
The first-day banner sales for the current double banner, which features the Hydro bow character Yelan and the Pyro polearm user Hu Tao, are displayed on a Genshin Impact chart. Players have time to collect more Primogems and include these characters in their roster because they are currently listed on the Limited Character Banner, which is set to expire at the end of the month.
In their respective roles, these two Genshin Impact characters are regarded as S-tier units. A respectable four-star lineup under this banner also features Xingqiu, Ningguang, and Beidou. The two five-star weapons that are characteristic of Yelan and Hu Tao are included in the Weapon Banner as usual.
A chart displaying the first-day revenue figures for the ongoing Yelan and Hu Tao double banner that started a few days ago was shared by Reddit user TimocaSamJa. With almost $8 million in sales on its first day, the banner reportedly managed to move up to ninth place, but it should be noted that the chart only includes sales of iOS devices from Chinese servers, so the actual figures are likely even higher. Many fans assert that they are not surprised by the banner’s success despite the absence of any new characters because it featured Yelan and Hu Tao, two extremely potent limited five-star characters.
Yelan can deal a ton of damage, but her best role is still sub-DPS because her kit has excellent off-field potential. Since Hydro has the potential to interact with almost every other element in the game thanks to the addition of the new Dendro element, it has grown to be one of, if not the strongest element overall. Yelan is a very adaptable character who can fit many Genshin Impact team lineups that require a potent off-field Hydro DPS.
Despite having been released in early 2021, Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, is still an S-tier DPS character in Genshin Impact. Hu Tao’s playstyle requires players to constantly monitor her HP bar in order to maximize her damage potential, which is what her kit offers.
Since Hu Tao’s last banner appearance was in update 2.2, which was released in November 2021, many fans were anticipating her return. Yelan and Hu Tao work well together because Vaporize, one of the best elemental reactions in Genshin Impact, can be triggered.
Genshin Impact is now available on Mobile, PC, PS4, and PS5. A Switch version is in development.
