Nodusfall and the Shadow of Elden Ring: When a Trailer Is Judged Before Gameplay Speaks

The first Nodusfall trailer just appeared, and the gaming community immediately split into two camps. The first saw a winged warrior and instantly thought of Malenia. The second noticed a white-haired woman and compared her to Melina. Within 24 hours, "rip-off" was plastered across dozens of posts, accompanied by side-by-side screenshots. I'm not surprised. I once sat in the stands at Nha Trang counting every touch to uncover hidden value, and I know one rule: when people lack data, they fill the void with emotion. But emotion never replaces gameplay, and Nodusfall hasn't shown a single minute of gameplay yet. Nodusfall is HoYoverse's new project, the studio behind Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. What caught observers' attention isn't just the grim dark fantasy setting, but the complete abandonment of the bright anime style that defined their brand. In the trailer, warriors wear heavy armor, gothic ruins dominate the scenery, and no chibi characters appear. That's a strategic pivot, but the community seems fixated on just how "similar" the new project is to Elden Ring. Elden Ring, FromSoftware's 2026 title, didn't just win Game of the Year; it became an unspoken standard for the entire action RPG genre. From open-world design and challenging combat to its oppressive atmosphere, it shaped the aesthetic taste of a generation of gamers. When any game adopts a dark fantasy style, the default reaction is to compare it to Elden Ring. Nodusfall is no exception. But looking closely at what HoYoverse has revealed, there's a key difference many overlook: Nodusfall does not center on the solitary soulslike journey; it emphasizes cooperative boss hunting with up to four players. That brings it closer to Monster Hunter than to Elden Ring. I've watched the game industry for over a decade, and I've learned that players often convict a game based on a few still images. They place two logos side by side, zoom in on a character's expression, and it feels like evidence of a crime. But a trailer is only a short promotional clip; it can't convey combat feel, movement rhythm, or how a boss reacts to player actions. If anyone asks me whether Nodusfall is a rip-off of Elden Ring, I'll answer that I don't have enough data. Numbers never lie; they just patiently watch you fool yourself. What interests me more is what this crowd reaction says about the current gaming landscape. HoYoverse is known as a gacha giant with billions in revenue, but their reputation is tied to anime style. When they announce a realistic dark fantasy project, the community quickly suspects they "can't create anything original" and can only borrow from a Japanese studio. This suspicion has historical roots: the Chinese game industry has faced plagiarism accusations before, creating a persistent stereotype. But stereotypes aren't evidence. In IP law, gameplay mechanics are largely unprotected, while specific visual elements like character designs can be examined. The similarities the community points out remain at the "reminiscent" level, not "direct copy" – and that creates a huge legal gray area. Interestingly, some community members have called Nodusfall "Elden Ring meets Monster Hunter." That label unintentionally acknowledges co-op as the most obvious differentiator. If HoYoverse is smart, they'll use this controversy to position their product: not by denying the "copycat" charge, but by proving through gameplay that four-player co-op boss hunting creates a completely different experience. That strategy has been used by studios compared to a monument: let the product speak. But if HoYoverse only releases more static trailers and stays silent, the controversy will keep escalating and become a lasting stain. We should also look at the players. Many are falling into the "impatience for evidence" trap. They want an instant verdict, a villain to condemn, forgetting that every creative work goes through years of iteration. Nodusfall is only in its announcement phase; the team still has years to refine. Labeling it "plagiarism" now is unfair and unfounded. I once wrote in a player valuation report: "Give me three matches, and I'll tell you a whole season." Now I want to tell the gaming community: give me three minutes of gameplay, and I'll give you a more reliable judgment than all those edited screenshots. From a business standpoint, HoYoverse's risk isn't legal action – that's extremely unlikely – it's brand perception. If the "copying Elden Ring" narrative sticks in Western gamers' minds, it could hurt pre-orders, especially since Elden Ring's fanbase is massive and easily provoked. However, HoYoverse has nearly unlimited financial resources; they can hire top designers and adjust direction to avoid disadvantageous comparisons. The key is whether they dare acknowledge that this controversy is actually an opportunity to attract attention. In a saturated market, being talked about – even negatively – is better than being ignored. The real question isn't "Does Nodusfall look like Elden Ring?" but "Will the community have enough patience to wait until real gameplay appears?" I don't have a definitive answer, but I know that clickbait hunters will always try to turn details into scandals. While analysts like me sit back, collect data, and wait. Nodusfall may become a phenomenon or fade into obscurity. Everything will become clearer when HoYoverse finally reveals actual gameplay. Until then, every accusation is just an illusion built from a few frames – and I never base my verdicts on illusions.