After what feels like an eternity of waiting, Wuthering Waves Version 3.5 "Blade of Past Resounds, Lingering Dream Hymns" will finally launch officially on July 10. As a veteran Rover who has stuck with the game all the way from Version 1.0, that familiar blend of eager anticipation and quiet apprehension before every major update hits harder than ever this time — after all, this marks the long-awaited debut of Mengzhou.

The new region Mengzhou: Land of Xuanfang is the undisputed centerpiece of this update. It is a mechanical metropolis built to fend off the Tacet Discord Tide, under the protection of the Sentinel Hsin, the Heart Moon Vixen. It is said that every single brick and tile within the city can shift and transform.

Honestly, the moment I saw the preview PV footage of traditional mountain-and-water gardens interwoven with mechanical fortresses, I was already imagining zipping through the scenery on the expedition motorbike.

The areas available in the initial release include Xuanfang Hold, Eastern Xuan Peaks, Western Fang Peaks, and Southern Yuan Hills. Just a heads-up for everyone: the full Mengzhou main storyline will span four consecutive versions from 3.5 to 3.8, so what we’re getting this time is merely an appetizer.

Speaking of characters, this update’s banner lineup is sure to put a serious dent in players’ wallets. The first half of the banner introduces the game’s very first 5-star SP Resonator: Yangyang: Xuanling. A Havoc Sword main DPS, she is an upgraded 5-star iteration evolved from the original 4-star character.

The developers have spared no effort on her skill visuals — her Resonance Liberation, featuring a breathtaking spectacle of thousands of birds taking flight, delivers an absolutely grand and impressive display. Featured alongside her in reruns are Lynae and Luuk Herssen.

The second half of the banner marks the debut of Suisui, Yangyang’s older sister. She is a Glacio Rectifier support, with a kit focused on team-wide healing and damage amplification.

On top of that, the Rover will unlock a brand-new Electro form, wielding a shield in one hand and a crossbow in the other, and capable of fusing the three prior attributes to pull off fluid combo sequences.

The pull resources available across the entire version are quite substantial, with free-to-play players expected to obtain over 100 pulls. If you plan to do extra pulls and budget for in-game purchases, COCODP can handle your top-ups in no time. No account registration, no waiting for verification codes — just enter your in-game UID, select your desired amount, and the funds will be credited to your account instantly.

On the story front, Chapter 4 of the main story will unfold around the identity and destiny of Yangyang: Xuanling. After returning to Jinzhou, the Rover hears that Yangyang has gone missing while investigating a disappearance case, and thus heads to the territory of Xuanfang together with Yangyang’s older sister Suisui to launch an investigation of their own. To be honest, having accompanied us ever since the game’s launch, Yangyang finally stepping into the spotlight evokes that heartfelt feeling of watching an old friend grow and thrive.

Before every major version update, I always tune into early access streams from various content creators on Poppo Live. In crisp HD quality, I get an early look at the new map’s landscapes, get a feel for how the characters handle in combat, and pick up the streamers’ gacha rituals along the way — it’s far more reliable than pulling blindly on my own.

Overall, from the Eastern aesthetics of the new region to the skill kit design of the new characters, Version 3.5 makes it clear that Kuro Games has really hit its stride and is growing steadily more polished.

See you in Mengzhou on July 10.

※Based on test server leaks & player theories. Final details subject to official release.