Natlan 5.3 Archon Quest Ending

So, the last part of the Archon quest came out recently. And since I'm on break, I could finally complete an Archon quest in a timely manner. And, ooo boy what an ending 3rd arc.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - MiHoYo (now Hoyoverse) really knows how to wear its inspirations on its sleeve and execute so effectively.

As I wrote in the Kupo Cafe Game Awards 2024, going into this part of the game I felt a bit burnt out. 4 years of Genshin, 4 years of anything really you do start to slow down a little bit. Don't get me wrong, I still really like the game and have plans on seeing it all the way through. But it's only natural, right? So far with all the Natlan stuff I really did find myself either quickly clicking through everything or even just browsing on my phone as I was listening to the story.

The culmination of everything though was really the peak of the Natlan story. Was it worth the build up? To me, I felt like they could have paced or even cut things out a bit better. A lot of the story really dragged in a way where it felt like padding rather than progression. I get why we had to partake in the huge battle between all the tribes and the abyss. I get why we had to do the whole song and dance to make the traveler the last of the destined heroes. But, like I said in my writings, when the focus becomes 6 tribes, six min-nations with their own ideals, cultures, powers, and so on, the focus has to be divided up. Even when the focus is on the Archon, you can't help but to think it's still about the tribes rather than a unity unlike how we had in Sumeru and Fontaine.

For what it's worth though, the ending really made me understand the entire scope of Natlan as this fictional region inspired by reality. Natlan is the nation of the indigenous, the first people and what we know about tribal culture of old and of modern. The idea of warriors, the idea of traditions and rituals, the idea of upholding the past, the idea of souls and spirits after they are gone, the idea of animals of the world being ingrained with honor in their society rather than just domesticated, the idea of festivals, feasts, and celebrations, the idea of fate and the loom that binds everyone together, and ultimately the idea of banding together for a greater cause despite creed or belonging.

Oh, and just to add, I thought it was really cool that the importance of names played a part of the plot in a way that it's been a long time since I've seen this trope being used. In the big boss fight, and a little as world quests like in the one with the mother and daughter, there's a name that's completely censored. A name that had been erased from this world and cannot be uttered physically. A person, a creature not meant to be remembered. A name holds power if you really think about it, and why forgetting names sometimes feel really bad because in a way it's a loss of connection. Like you know them and can think of memories and feelings about them, and the feeling of when you do actually remember is the same one you get of discovery or relief. Names can also connect you to the past, which are the "ancient names" passed along to all the heroes. To experience one being crafted and the method to create one, by using witness testimony and their feelings/emotions embedded in a scroll, it is such a cool idea to experience.

What was really cool to see these ideas all culminating with the help of not just one outlander, but two. The way they handled Capitano, the Fatui Harbringer whom from the very beginning we are to assume he is a bad guy on a very clear direct evil mission, to someone with more complex motives that went beyond what he originally signed up for. This really does add to the notion that the Fatui Harbringers (well, except for the first one we ever really meet) serve the Tsaritsa really as a secondary thought. Well, at least some of them. So far they have been a bit friendly to the Traveler. All in all, I love the ending scene with Capitano. I think that is the most well-done peak of the entire ending to this Archon quest. Oh, and the design of the "Angel of Death"?? My mouth was wide open seeing her design, and realizing that that is not the first time we've seen that scheme before. I want to spoil it sooo bad but I shouldn't.

Everything else between though was definitely peak. Just the impact and the execution was so cool to see. There's this line that Mavuika says that just sent shivers down my spine - "If I was fated to fail, then why do you fear?". Saying that to the face of the thoughts meant to discourage and waver her intentions was such a baller moment for her, among the many in this ending sequence. From the duo sequences with Traveler, from the Dragonball-esq flying around the arena moments, to the "call-to-arms" moment both in the outside arena and with the calling upon the heroes moments too. Don't even get me started with seeing the fallen heroes and friends along the way, helping you out one last time. Again, say what you will about the past Archon Quest acts of Natlan - if you aren't even a little bit moved by this ending then do you even like this game? I see the haters out there which I want to believe 90% are jokes, but you cannot understate all the parts that went into this to make it so effective. Even though these are tropes, I believe they executed them beautifully. The Genshin team really wears their influences on their sleeves, and what sets them apart is that they actually learn from their influences rather than others who merely just imitate without getting the juice, without getting the heart and soul of it really right. Another way I can put it is that you can tell who can really hang and play their horn when you tell them to solo over a 12 bar blues in jazz. You have to really understand jazz music itself to even come close, and some games out there don't have that juice.

Though it does help if you rake in so much in the gacha model of monetization. I will give that to them.

Anyways, this latest update of 5.3 is peak Natlan so far. Out of all the Archon Quests, here is my ranking: Fontaine, Sumeru, Liyue, Mondstadt, Natlan, and Inazuma. My favorite characters in Natlan so far in order: Citlali/Orion, Mualani, Kinich/Ajaw, Mavuika, and your little Saurian buddy. My favorite moment so far - Citlali getting drunk in front of the Traveler, and getting her flustered at the end of the Citlali/Orion timed event. God, Citlali is such a cool and cute and charming character to me. Granny to all, but deep down the makings of an OG anime tsundere. One with deep sense of responsibility due to her title and age, but still deep down a girl with girly sensibilities that she will never show you unless she really trusts you.

Genshin Impact - still a good game after all these years. Still has a few tricks up its sleeves. Who knew?