In fact, the most interesting thing about playing the game “Genshin Impact” is not to level up by killing monsters, nor to swipe resources from various big guys, but the small tasks every day in a place like Fontaine, which is the reason why people never get tired of it. Don’t underestimate it because it is simple. What is hidden behind it is the thoughts of the entire game designer and the sense of life when we play games.
You have to know that if you want to enter Fontaine, you can’t just come whenever you want. You must first complete the plot tasks “Prologue to White Dew and Black Tide” and “Light Rain Falling as if for No Reason”, which is like getting a pass to officially join the daily life of Fontaine. After all, there is a lot of water in this place, and not everyone can swim in the water at will.
Next, there are four tasks every day, like those unnoticed workers in the city, silently supporting everything. The first task is to repair underwater equipment. You have to jump into the water. Don’t look at the quiet underwater, it is really a place to test your skills and patience. Just like life, sometimes you have to dive in and repair those invisible damages.
The second task is to deliver the court documents to the designated location. This sounds like a civil servant’s job, boring but necessary. Who hasn’t experienced such trivial things in reality? Delivering documents may seem like a trivial matter, but it actually ensures the order and normal operation of this water city. Only when you walk in the city will you know how important these “little things” are.
The third is to drive away those phantoms. Phantoms are actually monsters in the game. Driving them away is like clearing away the troubles and distractions in life. There is nothing fancy, just rely on you to cut off their entanglement with a sword. This process is a bit like a struggle between yourself and your inner demons, simple and direct, but also rare and satisfying.
The fourth task is to help the old soldier at the dock move things. The old soldier is old but his heart is not old. He relies on these things to make a living. Your help in moving is to add some warmth to the city. Isn’t life like this? Sometimes helping people around you and simply saying thank you is the biggest gain.
After completing these four things, the system will give you reputation. Reputation is actually the recognition of this city for you. The higher the reputation, the more things you can use, and you can also receive more interesting tasks. This is just like the accumulation of connections and reputation in real life, and slowly, you become an indispensable part of this city.
Interestingly, the reaction of NPCs will change as your reputation increases. At first, they just nodded politely, and then they began to say hello and even remember your name. Your footsteps in this water city are no longer the hurried footsteps of passers-by, but recognized residents. You slowly discovered that this virtual city has become like your second home.
In the final analysis, the daily commission design of Fontaine gives players a sense of participation and belonging. The game is not just about killing monsters and upgrading, but also a life experience. Complete tasks, get rewards, and improve reputation. The seemingly mechanical cycle is actually a simulation of the order of life and interpersonal relationships.
Moreover, the architecture and water system design of Fontaine is not as simple as drawing casually. It tells stories with the flow of water and connects the world with bridges, just like our real cities, constantly maintaining relationships and trust with each other through infrastructure.
Playing this game is sometimes like walking on the streets of the city, looking at every brick and tile and people’s daily trivia, which is really warm. The daily tasks of Fontaine are not only the content of the game, but also a metaphor of life.
So, don’t rush to challenge the big boss, first complete these daily tasks and feel the pulse of Fontaine, the water city. You will find that the fun of the game sometimes lies in the details.