Here is a new idea for this new channel! As some of you know, I enjoy videos of all types, shapes, and sizes. As you get to know me more, you will find that I LOVE to analyze games from different angles. While I know Genshin fans are well aware of the narrative depth this game has, I think the impression of this game to the general audience is quite shallow (and frankly a lot of ya’ll on twitter dont help either), so this is my first video where I finally dedicate time to discussing the narrative.
I know I have a lot more to learn, but since I have finally caught up on the Archon quest, I want to throw my hat into the ring of discussion. Once I finish up Furina’s hangout quests, I will finally start delving into the lore and wiki and find information I missed. I enjoy playing games spoiler free, so I am almost past that finish line.
Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
0:48 – Why I started (and continued) playing
5:12 – Fontaine’s writing
8:36 – Spirituality
11:11 – Furina analysis
20:12 – Outro
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I have admit, I didn't like Furina when I first saw her. Like at all. I thought she was an annoying brat who didn't do anything for her nation. But then 4.2 happened and I did U-turn with my opinion. Seeing her crying on the throne, thinking she failed to save her people was so sad and when I learned her backstory, I just wanted to hug her so bad. She definitely is one of best written characters in Genshin and I love her so much now.
Love this deep dive! Hoyo takes time in kicking into gear their narratives, but once you are in they hit hard!
I may have stopped playing Genshin, but I am glad to see a video essay understanding the way they wish to tell their stories so well.
Sadly so many just write it off so easily because it’s a Gacha, calling it a rip off of other games or just because it’s not their thing (story telling/fighting gameplay wise) and insult them and their players.
They may hit or miss in their game’s patches from time to time but they really do try their best.
Great video! 👏🏽👏🏽
Furina is really amazing character for an Archon and almost perfect Parallel to the Archon who came before her Nahida. Both of their creators could not let things be the way they were so they created their incarnations as Furina and Nahida, entrusting them with the future that they could not be a part of.
Nahida tho born an Archon did not have the wisdom of the Gods so she was isolated separated from what was rightfully hers. Even her own people didn't know her at all almost.
And on the other end we have
Furina who was the Vessel of a God who seperated her mind and body entrusted Furina the entire Nation of Fontaine to play the part of an Archon without any true power or Wisdom of the Archon. Nahida had no authority over her nation and it's governence yet she wanted nothing more then to save and protect her people the exact opposite of which was Furina who had the Authority but didn't know how to act on it while always trying her best.
Furina became who the people wanted her to be while Nahida stuck to her path and did what she knew best. Both experienced similar yet opposite tragedies. And the end of their stories tho they got what they wanted how they reacted to that accomplishment says it all.
Nahida rose to power and finally acknowledged as Sumeru's Archon, while Furina was released from her duty as an Archon Finally freeing herself from the weight of that responsibility.
I was a bit Ironic seeing how Furina's obsession with theatrics began due to her longing for the trial that will save Fontaine and free her but when it actually takes place she's the one firmly trying oppose it even going as far as to say "I will use this trial to you the true meaning of Justice" that line just sent shivers down my spine and was the moment I really loved her character.
Furina's character through Archon Quest also does a really amazing thing that we don't really notice in the previous Archon quests I mean it's there but we didn't really understand what it meant. Furina's character Arc shows or rather makes you experience the weight of what it means to be an Archon. We only true start to understand what the position of the Gods is when a human is pushed into the spotlight and named a God even though she is not. People question her with doubts whether she's a true Archon or not, through her act she convinced them that they can put their faith in her as the new Archon of Fountaine. That one personal interaction with Furina with a citizen's countless generations of her descendants following suit crushed her with the weight of time that had past. The Regret and guilt that she feels when she visit Poison again after she could not deliver on the faith that people put in her destroys her to the point where she almost confessed the truth to the traveller. This shows what kind of mental fortitude you need to be an Archon, what it truly means to be a God.
Furina after the events of the story tho slowly recovering is still a bit traumatised and I believe the only cure for that is for her to come face to Face with the remaining Archons as they all wholeheartedly acknowledge her as a true Archon and one of the best at that.
I really like your perspective on this game. Genshin just does such a good job at world building and creating a unique and interesting story. And judging by my profile picture you can probably tell that I really like Furina. I don’t have much to add to what you alrrady mentioned but I can talk about my own experiences. I see myself in Furina. I am not queer, or trans, or autistic or anything but I really relate to Furina because I too had to pretend to be someone I‘m not. As a kid I often was told I was annoying, simply because the way I showed love and trust wasn’t how people expected. I was told I was weird and annoying and as a result I went into myself and closed myself of from the world. I became quiet and just stopped being who I am. Sure the parts I was showing others were still in a sense part of who I was but they were subdued. Even to this day when I let myself be who I am in the safety of my own home my mom tells me not to do that because people will think I‘m weird. When I played the Fontaine story quest I felt seen in Furina because she too had to act the way others expected her to act like, closing her real self off from the world.
idk how to say this without being dramatic but Alhaitham save my life lmao
Yes to this video and more candid explorations. HSR is killing it, especially Penacony.
What a beautiful video. And needed in a time where people adore to trash on Genshin for the most absurd reasons.
The way you express yourself about the game is similar to mine. What you felt about Fontaine is how I felt about Sumeru. It truly grasped me completely. It's funny how you said how people think how Fontaine can be topped when they as well told that about Sumeru. The players should just trust the process by now.
Adding the lore you talked about. Not only in the main story, but in the world with books, notes, world quests, notes, artifacts, story quests, character profiles, and limited events. It was so massive and fully fleshed out. And there is still much more to come. A masterful work of storytelling and worldbuilding even when it is not finished. The skill and talent to pull that off is out of this world.
Besides the story, the gameplay is so much fun in various aspects like: combat, minigames, housing system, exploration, etc. The music that adds to the senses, feelings, and immersion. The design of each region. They are all meticulously crafted.
This game is an experience, just as Garnet from SU says to Steven about fusion. And one of the most special experiences at that.
As to why I don't pay mind to what preposterous notions some have because they don't get bestowed more free rewards(which by now, is the main complain people have, and is not really a flaw). Genshin has so much GOOD in it. Not just the music as the few say, but everything else. There are things that I desire to be better, but the overall game is too wonderful to cherry-pick those few faults I have and condemn it.
Anyways, sorry for the long read. Again, the video was wondrous. Hopefully, you can go and watch the limited events stories around youtube. Some are tear-jerkers for sure.
You get me so much what the heck. I relate so much to your experience with genshin and religion and theatrics in general. Thank you for this video!!!!!!!
The spiritual aspect in Genshin is crazy levels of well thought: It pretty much encompasses ALL human religions, none skipped, and does it coherently while staying parallels that actual religion scholars are just "now" discussing, like the rise of proto-christianity in detriment of the politeist stuff that pre-dated it from all sides (Sumeru is absurdly lore heavy in that regard).
9:00 well said . I am an agnostic/atheist myself and yet I dont have to mock others fate and what they believe in. You earned a sub for understanding that seemingly a huge chunk of the world dont understand.
im sorry furina my girl for calling you brat TT_TT , for me character that so relate to me is kaveh. but hoyo still rate up him on banner TT_TT
Genuinely happy to see new players enjoying the game. That said, I do hope once you're done covering Genshin Impact, you could cover their other game, Honkai Star Rail.
Scara and Furina are my favorite characters for a reason. They have such beautiful stories, music, and voices
Here's my thoughts on Genshin's story:
I do not want to oversimplify it to "People need more media exposure" or "It still has flaws so it's bad", but I do think that Genshin is in a unique place in storytelling because it exploded in a market that has really lacked stories like it. It tells stories that have made me tear up too, but it's also hitting an audience that is completely unexposed to the media it takes inspiration from.
I do not think Genshin is the best story ever told in gaming. However, its popularity far outstrips any comparisons I could make, the games really pushing narrative integration are either niche indie titles, or not primarily known for their actual most interesting qualities. (Take Nier: Automata. it has some truly sublime moments fully utilizing its nature as a game, but it's mostly known for 2B having thick thighs, despite universal praise it still hasn't sold 10mil copies in 8+ years)
(Well, I do have to give Undertale a mention for being a game pushing narrative and medium together that probably has had an even greater Impact in popular culture than Genshin)
Genshin also draws from a lot a Eastern media traditions, and while that includes anime obviously, Chinese modern media, Japanese non-animated media, and indian and middle-eastern media all have unique, different ways of presenting stories and themes that Genshin draws from at various points that will feel completely new if you haven't gone out of your way to experience them.
Anyway, that was a long ramble, Genshin still good, glad other people appreciate it too.
I’m doing a third Genshin account where I’m focusing on lore, tbh liyue and mondstadt lore don’t interest me much but from inazuma onwards it does. So I’m p,anning on staying in each region until I can understand the lore and characters all as much as possible and I’m having the most fun cuz I’m just walking around, talking to npcs, picking berries and books, super fun lmao. I’m planning to usein game lore and make theories and then watch lore yt to make more connections
hsr wont dissapoint i hope
Furina feels so brittle from the very get go. Her literally meeting you at the gates of Fontaine to immediately address the "threat" she sees in you. In 500 years she has not gained the confidence to think, that a single traveler couldn't bring everything crashing down. I also love how while the dam is literally breaking in the fortress, your task as the hero is just to be her emotional support with the knave. In general Fontaine was very good at elevating the very personal to be on the same level of importance as the dramatic stakes of the plot. It never felt like one was taking away from the other.
love your video as a straight, have you considered playing HSR, the story is also good and fun.
Very well said! It's tough because introspective players are the minority when it comes to mihoyo games and gacha in general, it feels disconnecting to hear the bigger part of the community partaking in drama on things that are just really is so inconsequential compared to what the game has to offer. I hope you consider making highlights of your playthrough someday.