Genshin Impact thrives on its ability to blend exploration with meaningful storytelling, and nowhere is this more evident than in its questlines. While daily commissions and smaller world quests help fill out Teyvat, the longer and more elaborate chains stand as the pillars of the game’s lore. These quests not only offer substantial rewards but also connect players more deeply to the world, its history, and its characters. Out of all the content the game offers, these five questlines should be at the top of your list if you want to experience the heart of Genshin’s storytelling.
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5. Archon Quests
Archon Quests are what make up Genshin Impact’s main storyline. Essentially, they follow the Traveler’s journey across Teyvat, revealing secrets about the Archons who rule them and the mysterious, often mythological, powers that shape the world. These quests are episodic, sometimes following the concept of a previous one, unfolding chapter by chapter, and they feature some of the game’s most impactful cutscenes and battles. Dainsleif, one of the most important characters in all of Genshin Impact and a fan-favorite, often appears in these stories, providing insights into the mysterious Khaenri’ah, connecting players to long-lost events that still shape the present.
Each region’s Archon Quest also reflects its nation’s identity. Mondstadt’s arc focused on freedom, Liyue’s explored tradition versus commerce, Inazuma’s faced the struggle for liberty, Sumeru blended wisdom with the costs of ambition, Fontaine centralized justice and truth, and Natlan tackled concepts of warfare and what that means. If you want to understand Teyvat’s biggest mysteries and the Traveler’s path, these quests are essential.
4. The Aranyaka Questline
The Aranyaka Questline in Sumeru is one of the expansive questlines in the game, and it is well known for its incredibly long runtime. It centers around the whimsical Aranara, plant-like spirits hidden within Sumeru’s dense forest. As the questline progresses, it draws the Traveler into the heart of the rainforest, where an adventure begins involving a sprawling series of challenges and riddles, often involving the concept of music as a tool. The quest stretches across dozens of hours, and it is less a simple quest and more a total journey, complete with its own deep mythology that ties directly into Teyvat’s overarching lore.
The Aranara are dreamlike forest beings, yet they embody themes of memory and resilience. As players interact with them, they not only restore corrupted areas of the forest but also uncover forgotten histories tied to Sumeru itself. Much like the Golden Slumber and Dirge of Bilqis quests in the desert, Aranyaka is known for its length and complexity, requiring commitment to see through. The payoff, however, is one of Genshin’s richest story experiences, blending magical wonder with bittersweet revelations.
3. The Perilous Trail Chasm Questline
The Perilous Trail Chasm questline is a standout story separate from the main Chasm questline, which is why it gets its own entry on this list. It balances a surprising amount of suspense and character-driven moments together in one neat, tight little bundle. When the Traveler investigates disturbances in the Chasm, they cross unlikely paths with Yelan, Kuki Shinobu, Yanfei, and Arataki Itto, creating one of the most dynamic and unexpected team-ups in the game. Their journey takes them deep into the mines, where they become trapped in a strange, otherworldly space that distorts time and memory.
This setting forces the group to confront challenges together, and the interactions are a highlight of the quest. Yelan’s sharp mind, Itto’s wild antics, Shinobu’s level-headedness, and Yanfei’s thoughtfulness create an interesting balance of humor, tension, and camaraderie that highlight the sheer seriousness of this storyline. The story builds steadily to moments of emotional intensity, where questions of loss and survival give rise to tension different for each character, based on their personalities. It is one of the most humanizing questlines in the game and will make you fall in love with each one of the characters involved. By the time the quest concludes, players are left with a deeper appreciation of these characters and the mysterious nature of the Chasm itself.
2. Masquerade of the Guilty
Fontaine’s Archon Quest arc, Masquerade of the Guilty, is one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged stories in Genshin Impact, which is why it gets a separate entry on this list along with the Chasm storyline. Set against the backdrop of a nation obsessed with justice and trials, the Traveler becomes involved in a classic courtroom drama surrounding Furina, the Hydro Archon. It begins as a test of truth, but quickly spirals out of control into a far larger conspiracy, exposing Fontaine’s hidden past and the precarious balance of its survival.
The quest stands out because of its mix of legal theatrics, tense investigations, and emotional revelations. Furina’s role in particular shines as her public image as a flamboyant performer of justice gives way to a deeper and more vulnerable truth. The arc explores what it means to be an Archon, the burdens of leadership, and the lies a nation can sustain to protect its people. Its gripping climax is one of the single most impactful moments in the entire game, and it directly involves revelations surrounding the truth behind Furina’s obvious facade. Masquerade of the Guilty is a questline no player should overlook.
1. The Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual
In Inazuma, the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual questline offers a deeply haunting story that blends loreful mystery, honest tradition, and the antics of the supernatural. It tasks the Traveler with purifying the corrupted roots of the Sacred Sakura, the giant tree that symbolizes Inazuma’s lifeforce and very existence. While it starts with a simplistic cleaning ritual, it quickly gives rise to a complex web of layered quests involving unruly spirits and ancient grudges that craft the history of Narukami Island.
The atmosphere of this questline is unlike any other. Players explore eerie shrines and battle corruption, all the while unraveling the tragic tale of Kazari, a shrine maiden bound by her duty of sacrifice. Each stage of the cleansing feels heavier than the last, culminating in a conclusion that is best described as bittersweet. While it does not tie directly into the central Archon storyline, the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual enriches Inazuma’s spiritual identity while indirectly highlighting the history of Raiden Shogun’s actions, making it one of the most memorable world quests in the game.
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