When describing Genshin Impact's gameplay, many things can come to mind: exploring the vast open world, grinding in domains for the best artifacts, or wishing in the gacha for a chance of getting the newest character. With the newest limited time event, Genshin Impact reintroduces a fun but temporary gameplay mode for players to enjoy: a rhythm game.
This is not the first time Genshin Impact has had a rhythm game event -- prior rhythm game events, namely the Ballads of Breeze and Tuned to the World's Sounds events, gave players the opportunity to play a musical mini-game for in-game rewards such as leveling up materials and receiving a special playable instrument. However, the current event gives players a new way to enjoy the mini-game by adding custom user-made beatmaps. With the ability to make their own custom beatmaps at their disposal, players have taken to the internet to show off their creative -- and challenging -- rhythm game creations.
This current event, titled The Almighty Arataki Great and Glorious Drumalong Festival, features gameplay that's fairly simple in theory. Once the notes reach the white line, players have to tap the yellow notes and hold the purple ones. While those playing the rhythm game on mobile devices simply need to tap the notes, those playing on PC need to press keys corresponding to a specific note. However, those making custom beatmaps have 500 notes at their disposal to create challenging rhythm game maps for other players to try.
To drum up excitement for the in-game event, HoYoLAB, the community site for HoYoverse games such as Genshin Impact, is hosting an event where players can showcase gameplay videos of custom beatmaps for a chance at winning various prizes. Players can choose to play their own or other players' creations, with judges looking for aspects such as the musicality, creativity, and completeness of a beatmap. A collection of fan-made maps can be found on the HoYoLAB event page, which features some of the newest and most popular creations made by players, as well as a link for players to participate in the event.
However, players who have not reached Inazuma may not be able to participate in this event without some catching up. Those interested in participating in the rhythm game event and trying out some challenging user-made beatmaps will need to complete various quests before they can gain access to the Drumalong Festival.
To play through the rhythm game event, players need to be Adventure Rank 30 and have to have finished the second chapter of the Archon Quest up to the Ritou Escape Plan portion. This requires players to play through both the Mondstadt and Liyue story quests and raise their Adventure Rank by doing side quests, commissions, and exploring the vast world of Teyvat. Players can also challenge Domains and Ley Line Outcrops, which in turn reward players with artifacts and materials they can use to level up their characters.
With plenty of ways to raise their adventure rank and raise their characters' stats, new arrivals to Genshin Impact or those who have not reached the required level still have time to get through the story quests. After the event ends, none of the rhythm game maps made by players will be saved, so those who want to enjoy fan-made beatmaps, get the drum gadget, or gather the in-game rewards will want to participate in the event before the festival ends on July 4.