Nodusfall and the 'Elden Ring Rip-off' Trap: Why the Community Is Judging Too Early?

When the first trailer of Nodusfall – HoYoverse's new game – was released, the gaming community immediately split into two camps. The first camp pointed out clear similarities with Elden Ring: a winged character reminding players of Malenia, a white-haired woman directly compared to Melina. The second camp, though smaller, reminded that dark fantasy and soulslike gameplay are not something FromSoftware can monopolize. But the most important thing both camps overlooked: we've only seen a trailer, not a single second of gameplay. HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact and the Honkai series, is known for its anime style and gacha mechanics. Their sudden shift to dark fantasy with realistic graphics is a major shock – not just to fans, but to the entire gaming industry. This is a strategic turning point: from an anime mobile game studio, they are trying to break into the premium console/PC segment – where Elden Ring has set a nearly insurmountable standard. Elden Ring, released in 2026, not only won Game of the Year but also reshaped player expectations for the action RPG genre. Its influence is undeniable: numerous new projects are adopting similar combat styles, world design, and atmosphere. In that context, Nodusfall being compared to Elden Ring is inevitable. But comparison is one thing; concluding 'rip-off' is entirely another. The key point this analysis wants to emphasize: Nodusfall's gameplay has a core differentiator – co-op boss hunting with up to four players. This is not a minor detail but a fundamental difference. Elden Ring is a single-player experience focused on solitude and personal challenge. Nodusfall, with its co-op mechanic, is aiming for an experience closer to Monster Hunter than Elden Ring. Looking closely, some in the community have already recognized this – they call Nodusfall 'Elden Ring meets Monster Hunter'. This combination is what creates its own identity, not copying. I have followed the evolution of the soulslike genre since the early days of Dark Souls. I have witnessed hundreds of games trying to copy FromSoftware's formula and failing miserably. But I have also seen games succeed when they dared to add something new. Nodusfall, by emphasizing co-op, is showing they are not simply copying but trying to forge their own path. The community's hasty labeling of it as a 'rip-off' based on a few still images is a serious analytical error. Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe when actual gameplay is revealed, Nodusfall will prove to be just a pale copy. But based on what we know now – a trailer with some reminiscent images and a confirmed co-op mechanic – concluding 'copying' is premature and unfounded. Gaming history has shown that games accused of 'copying' often get a chance to prove their worth upon release. Lies of P, another soulslike, was similarly doubted but ultimately recognized as an excellent game. Interestingly, this very controversy is generating a huge amount of free attention for Nodusfall. If HoYoverse is smart, they will seize this opportunity to showcase their difference. They could release an extended gameplay video focusing on co-op mechanics, showing how four players coordinate to take down a massive boss. If they do that, the 'copying' narrative will quickly be replaced by an 'innovation' narrative. Conversely, if they stay silent too long, suspicion will grow and could affect launch sales. Legally, the risk is very low. Game mechanics are generally not copyrightable; only specific expressive elements like character designs and art assets can be infringing. The described similarities – a winged character, a white-haired woman – are common archetypes in dark fantasy, not direct copies. However, reputational risk is real. If the 'copycat' label sticks to Nodusfall, it could affect the entire HoYoverse brand, built on creativity and quality. Looking broader, this is an important signal for the Asian gaming industry. HoYoverse, a Chinese company, is daring to enter a field dominated by Japan. With superior financial resources, they can invest heavily in production quality. But do they have enough design experience to create something truly different? That's the biggest question. However, if Nodusfall succeeds, it could open a new wave of Chinese developers entering the global premium gaming market. The final question is not 'Does Nodusfall copy Elden Ring?', but 'Are we patient enough to wait for real evidence before judging?' In an age where everything is judged hastily, taking time to look thoroughly is rare. I will await Nodusfall's first gameplay with an open mind, and I hope the community does too. Because if we rush to conclusions, we might miss a truly worthwhile game.