On a crisp September morning in 2021, players across the world logged into Genshin Impact to find a new legend waiting. Not a character born from the lands of Mondstadt or Liyue, but a machine-hunting warrior from a far-off future. That day marked the official arrival of Aloy—the Nora Brave from Horizon Zero Dawn—into the realm of Teyvat. Available for free to all PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 adventurers, she was a 5-star Cryo Bow user, a gift that bridged two vastly different universes.

Now, five years later, in 2026, the echoes of that collaboration still resonate. Aloy’s design, her battle animations, and her fierce determination brought a fresh energy to the game. But what truly anchored the character was the performance behind her voice. Reprising the role from the original Horizon series was Ashly Burch, a name that has become synonymous with heartfelt and electrifying voice acting.

Burch’s journey to Teyvat was not a sudden leap. Her career had been a tapestry of iconic roles, each woven with dedication and emotional depth. Long before she called forth Cryo storms in Genshin Impact, she had already captured the hearts of gamers and anime fans alike.

One of her earliest forays into the gaming world was as Rei—affectionately known as Niko—in Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth (2014). That handheld title introduced an original character vital to its dreamlike story. Though the game was not fully voiced, every line Burch delivered as the cheerful and enigmatic Rei left a lasting impression. Players who ventured through that labyrinthine school could never forget the warmth in her voice, a promise of friendship in a distorted world.

Then came the role that would define a generation of narrative-driven games: Chloe Price in Life is Strange. Burch’s performance as the rebellious, blue-haired punk was nothing short of a revelation. She breathed life into Chloe’s vulnerability and defiance, turning a character into a cultural icon. For many, it was through Chloe that they discovered the raw power of voice acting—the ability to make you laugh, cry, and rage alongside a fictional persona. Even in 2026, when the series has expanded with new installments, that first season’s emotional core still bears Burch’s unmistakable signature.

Her range extended far beyond that. In the mammoth Trails series, she stepped into the shoes of Millium Orion in The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel I and II. As the cheerful, hammer-wielding intelligence operative, Burch infused Millium with a playful energy that balanced the game’s political intrigue. Her chirpy delivery and sudden moments of seriousness added layers to a character who was both comic relief and a formidable ally. Erebonia’s saga was richer for her presence.

Anime enthusiasts, too, recognized her voice instantly. In the English dub of Steins;Gate, she portrayed Mayuri Shiina, the gentle-hearted childhood friend whose simple catchphrase “Tutturu!” became a beacon of comfort in a time-travel thriller. Burch’s soft, melodic tone made Mayuri’s innocence shimmer, making every tragic twist all the more devastating. Conversely, in Attack on Titan, she voiced Sasha Braus, the perpetually hungry soldier who could switch from comic gluttony to fierce archery in a heartbeat. That same duality—comedy and courage—would later echo in her portrayal of Aloy, a hunter who smiles at a campfire but stares down towering machines without flinching.

When Aloy stepped into Teyvat, Ashly Burch brought all this experience with her. Her voice carried the grit of a survivor, the curiosity of an explorer, and the warmth of someone discovering a world not yet ravaged by metal beasts. The character demo, titled “Aloy: Otherworldly Hunter,” showcased that perfect blend. Players watched Aloy slide through grass, draw her bow, and unleash icy power—all with Burch’s commanding yet approachable voice guiding every move. It was a crossover event that felt not just like a marketing stunt, but a genuine meeting of two storytelling titans.

Looking back from 2026, Genshin Impact has seen many collaborations. New characters from distant franchises have come and gone. Yet Aloy’s arrival remains a cherished memory. For some, it was an introduction to the world of Horizon. For others, it was a reminder of the incredible consistency of a voice actor who could seamlessly inhabit a machine-hunting Nora, a time-manipulating teen, and a potato-loving soldier. The collaboration was limited to a specific window, meaning newer Travelers can only encounter Aloy in the tales of veterans. But those who were there on September 1st, 2021, still recall the thrill of adding her to their party—a free 5-star with the soul of a warrior and the voice of a legend.

Ashly Burch continues to be a force in the industry. Her Twitter timeline in 2026 is filled with announcements of new projects, her distinctive voice still shaping unforgettable characters. But every time a Genshin player hears the crisp twang of Aloy’s bow string, or sees her Cryo-infused arrows pierce a Hilichurl camp, they’re reminded of that autumn day when a hunter from another world proved that great storytelling and great performances can collapse any barrier—even the ones between universes.