HoYoverse's Nodusfall: Accused of 'Copying' Elden Ring, but the Game Is Far from Over

HoYoverse, the renowned publisher of Genshin Impact, has just unveiled its new project Nodusfall, featuring realistic dark-fantasy graphics, marking a complete departure from the anime style that built its brand. Immediately after the first trailer was revealed, the global gaming community erupted over its striking similarities to Elden Ring – the 2026 Game of the Year from FromSoftware. From a winged character reminiscent of Malenia, a white-haired woman compared to Melina, to the gloomy atmosphere and world depth, players quickly labeled Nodusfall as a “rip-off” after only a few minutes of static images. It must be acknowledged that Elden Ring is not just a commercially successful game; it set a new reference point for the entire gaming industry. Its punishing combat, fragmented storytelling, and vast dark-fantasy world have become a formula many developers want to follow. This explains why Nodusfall – an open-world action RPG – was immediately put under comparison. But analysts argue that concluding Nodusfall copied Elden Ring solely based on a few frames from a trailer is hasty, lacks verified data, and ignores core differentiators. The most important difference lies in gameplay design. Nodusfall does not aim for the solitary experience of Elden Ring; instead, it focuses on cooperative boss hunting, allowing up to four players to join. This is very close to Monster Hunter, where players cooperate in battles against massive creatures. From a mechanics perspective, Nodusfall appears to combine the "soulslike" feel of Elden Ring with the team-based rhythm of Monster Hunter, rather than outright copying. The community has also started to recognize this when describing the game as "Elden Ring meets Monster Hunter," a fairer positioning than the “rip-off” accusation. Delving into the controversy structure, most arguments against HoYoverse are based on visual perception. There is no evidence proving Nodusfall directly uses FromSoftware's intellectual property, such as source code, 3D models, or identical special effects. Legally, game mechanics and general settings are not protected by copyright; only specific expressions like character names, unique designs, or dialogue lines can be considered infringement. A winged character "reminiscent" of Malenia is not a legal basis, as it is a common motif in dark fantasy. Thus, the risk of litigation is nearly zero, but reputational risk is what HoYoverse must face. Industry experts suggest these accusations are not solely due to visual comparison but also reflect regional skepticism. For years, Chinese game companies have often been labeled as "copiers" when entering international markets. HoYoverse, known for anime gacha titles, has faced criticism before but never direct plagiarism accusations. Pivoting to a Western-style dark fantasy game with realistic graphics, targeting console/PC audiences in North America and Europe – where Elden Ring has a huge passionate fanbase – has made the community's reaction more intense than necessary. This anger can sometimes be seen as a systemic bias rather than an objective, evidence-based assessment. From a commercial standpoint, this controversy can damage or benefit HoYoverse. With billions in annual revenue from Genshin Impact, the company has enough financial power to invest long-term and accept market risks. But if the "copycat" wave persists, HoYoverse's credibility among Western players could suffer, affecting future product sales. Conversely, if Nodusfall is soon showcased with extensive gameplay footage focusing on co-op boss hunting, the picture could reverse. Then the current controversy would become enormous free media exposure, bringing the game closer to the public and generating positive curiosity. It must be emphasized that a definitive verdict on whether Nodusfall is truly a clone can only be made after the game is released and players experience it hands-on. A trailer is just a small piece, oriented visually, not reflecting the full depth of gameplay. If HoYoverse is wise, they will quickly release a gameplay livestream, invite influential content creators in the soulslike community, and be transparent about design influences from Elden Ring. This would calm public opinion and shift the narrative from "copying" to "combining" – a PR strategy used by many major studios. Ultimately, the Nodusfall and Elden Ring story is not just about the two developers. It raises a larger question about how the gaming industry treats influence: how blurred is the line between "inspired by" and "rip-off"? In an era where Elden Ring has become a cultural icon, any dark fantasy game released will face intense scrutiny. Can Nodusfall stand on its own gameplay merits, or will it forever live under the enormous shadow of the "masterpiece" Elden Ring? Only time and subsequent gameplay reveals can answer. For now, the hasty accusations based on a few still images only prove one thing: the gaming industry is living in an era where emotions easily outweigh reason.