In episode 78 of Supernatural, the Winchesters discover that their lives are already written about in-universe as a form of self-referential humor. The episode, like all those around that time and afterwards, is full of this same marvelesque, ironic, self-referential humor that is the unique indicator of modern creative bankruptcy. It is the point at which a specific art piece has lost the capacity to be innovative, and must instead cannibalize itself and continuously, desperately reuse the same references applied to a sterile, safe, and bland environment.

It seems that Genshin Impact is leaning more and more into this soulless creative bankruptcy. That's not to say that GI is dying. Marvel is not dead. Star Wars is not dead. The consumer market is very interested in soulless art. I predict that GI will last a long time, and many years at least. I think modern markets have shifted more towards establishing a creative atmosphere or "vibe" with a new I.P. and relying on this vibe to sustain the I.P. in perpetuity. Mondstadt to Fontaine was a surprisingly long duration of time for a single I.P. to maintain a unified artistic vision, so the collapse of that spirit in Natlan was neither surprising nor unique, only a bit disappointing. Regardless, 1.0 - 4.8 succeeded in establishing this unique "atmosphere" that will sustain the bastardized and raped Genshin I.P. for years, even decades to come if I am to exaggerate a little.

I was willing to put Natlan aside and ignore that it happened, especially when Paralogism released. I thought it was a return to form, but it only cemented what I had already suspected. The AQ was a parody of the Monstadt AQ, with each character popping in for a moment to give their corny, tired lines, Flanderized and shark fully-jumped, before disappearing. Just a nod to a past.

At least the game is fun. MHY is doing a lot of good work woth generous rewards, gameplay improvements, etc. But... I like story.