Nodusfall: When the community accuses HoYoverse of 'copying' Elden Ring – The truth behind the controversial trailer

Right after HoYoverse released the first trailer for its new project Nodusfall, a wave of controversy erupted. Gamers worldwide, especially the Elden Ring community, quickly pointed out numerous visual similarities: a winged character reminiscent of Malenia, a mysterious white-haired woman compared to Melina, and a dark fantasy setting dripping with FromSoftware's signature style. Within 24 hours, the term 'rip-off' flooded gaming forums. But are a few static images from a short trailer enough to conclude that Nodusfall is a copy of Elden Ring? As a game data analyst, I have seen too many instances where the community rushes to judgment based on visual impressions, ignoring the actual context of development. The mistake in Surabaya taught me to question data, not trust it blindly. Here, what data do we have? A graphics showcase trailer, not gameplay footage. To understand the issue, we must place Nodusfall in a broader context. Elden Ring (2026) set a new standard for the dark fantasy soulslike genre: a vast open world, unique monster designs, and environmental storytelling. Its massive success (Game of the Year) means any game in the same genre will be compared to it. The 2026 World Cup was won by tackles no one remembers; here, Elden Ring wins by character designs that are unmistakable. HoYoverse, historically tied to anime style and gacha mechanics, now abruptly pivots to realistic dark fantasy – a bold strategic shift. This explains why the community reacted so strongly: surprise mixed with suspicion. The core of the problem lies in the gameplay mechanics. According to the trailer and leaked information, Nodusfall focuses on co-op boss hunting with up to four players. This is a crucial difference from Elden Ring, which is primarily a single-player experience (though co-op is available via summoning). The community has already compared Nodusfall to 'Monster Hunter meets Elden Ring' – a much more grounded observation than the 'rip-off' accusation. A co-op boss-hunting game with four players will have a completely different pace, strategy, and feel compared to traditional soulslike combat. If HoYoverse leverages this well, Nodusfall can stand on its own. However, the contrarian angle is: even if the mechanics are different, having character and world designs too similar to Elden Ring can still harm the brand. Intellectual property law typically does not protect 'feel' or 'style' – only specific elements like names and detailed character designs. But the court of public opinion does not operate by law. Once the community labels a product 'copycat', it can haunt the product for years, regardless of actual gameplay quality. This is a lesson many Chinese studios have paid dearly for when trying to enter the Western premium game market. So what is the real signal for the next cycle? It all depends on the next gameplay reveal. If HoYoverse demonstrates a deep co-op combat system with linked skills between players and boss designs requiring tight team coordination, the narrative will shift from 'copying' to 'inheriting and innovating'. Conversely, if they show only a standard soulslike experience with better graphics, the criticism will intensify at launch. I bet on the first scenario: HoYoverse has immense financial resources from Genshin Impact, they can hire experienced designers and invest in R&D to create genuine differentiation. Conclusion: The accusation that Nodusfall is a 'rip-off' of Elden Ring is currently only a comment from part of the community, not an official conclusion. No gameplay has been released to confirm or deny it. But gaming history shows that such controversies, if well-managed, can become powerful marketing leverage. HoYoverse did not want this, but they can turn it into motivation to attract attention. The real question is: do they have the courage to prove their own identity, or will the ghost of Elden Ring haunt them forever?