Nodusfall: HoYoverse's New Title Sparks Controversy for Being Too Similar to Elden Ring

HoYoverse, the developer famous for gacha games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, has just announced a new project called Nodusfall. From the first trailer, Nodusfall attracted global attention among gamers, but not for its gameplay or story—rather for its visual similarity to FromSoftware's blockbuster Elden Ring. The trailer reveals a dark fantasy world with realistic graphics, a departure from HoYoverse's signature anime style. Characters in the trailer—a winged warrior reminiscent of Malenia, a white-haired woman evoking Melina—were immediately compared. On forums, players used the term 'rip-off' to criticize, claiming HoYoverse borrowed too much from Elden Ring. However, a closer look shows Nodusfall is not merely a copy. Its biggest difference lies in the co-op mechanic: the game allows up to four players to hunt bosses together. This approach is closer to Monster Hunter than Elden Ring, which focuses on a solitary experience. The community quickly noticed this, with many comments comparing Nodusfall to a combination of Elden Ring and Monster Hunter. The current controversy is based mostly on static trailer images; no gameplay footage has been released. Judging a game by its first images alone is insufficient. HoYoverse has not yet made an official statement, but public opinion suggests the company could leverage the controversy for media attention if it proves its own identity upon release. Legally, copying mechanics or a dark fantasy style does not violate copyright, as the law only protects specific expressive elements (character designs, names, artistic assets). Currently, there is no legal action from FromSoftware or Bandai Namco. However, the reputational risk is real: if Nodusfall fails to differentiate itself clearly at launch, the wave of criticism could intensify. HoYoverse is making a big bet. Abandoning the anime style to enter the premium action RPG market is a strategic move. With massive financial resources from Genshin Impact, the company can invest heavily in quality. The question is whether the design team can create a dark fantasy world with its own identity, or will always be overshadowed by Elden Ring. The gaming community is split. One side argues that dark fantasy and soulslike are not exclusive to FromSoftware, and HoYoverse has the right to explore the genre. The other side emphasizes that the similarities in the trailer are too great, beyond mere inspiration. The truth will only be revealed when official gameplay is shown, expected in the coming months. Nodusfall currently has no specific release date. If successful, it could open a new path for HoYoverse and other Chinese developers in the premium console/PC segment. If it fails, it will serve as a lesson in borrowing without creativity. In any case, the debate over Nodusfall has shown the immense influence of Elden Ring on the gaming industry—a legacy any competitor must face.