Nodusfall Faces Backlash as Players Accuse HoYoverse of Copying Elden Ring
HoYoverse’s newly revealed action game, Nodusfall, is already facing a major online backlash. After its Gamescom 2026 reveal trailer, players began comparing the game to Elden Ring, with some calling it “Gacha Elden Ring” and “Elden Ring from Wish.”
The criticism is mostly about Nodusfall’s dark fantasy setting, huge enemy battles, character designs, and a few trailer scenes that players think look very close to famous Elden Ring and Dark Souls bosses. However, these are fan accusations and comparisons not proof that HoYoverse copied Elden Ring.
Nodusfall is a new dark fantasy co-op action game from HoYoverse, the company behind Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero.
The game was revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. HoYoverse describes Nodusfall as a multi-mythology co-op action game where players become fighters called Weavers. Players will team up, battle giant mythical enemies, collect divine powers, and use different combat roles and loadouts.
The official details suggest that Nodusfall is built around multiplayer battles against powerful monsters. This is why many players have also compared it to Monster Hunter, even though its world and boss presentation have drawn much stronger Elden Ring comparisons.
Why Players Think Nodusfall Looks Like Elden Ring
Dark fantasy games often use dragons, giant creatures, ruined kingdoms, magic, armored fighters, and frightening bosses. Those ideas are common in games, books, and movies.
Still, players are not only reacting to Nodusfall’s general setting. Many believe that specific characters and scenes in its reveal trailer look very close to recognizable FromSoftware designs.
The Winged Character Comparison
One of the biggest comparisons involves a winged female enemy from the Nodusfall trailer. Players noticed her wings, her dramatic entrance, and the way the scene uses red and white visual effects.
Many fans compared the character to Malenia, Blade of Miquella, from Elden Ring. The comparison became stronger because Malenia’s second phase includes wings and a major transformation into the Goddess of Rot.
Some players believe the similarities are too obvious to ignore. Others argue that the Nodusfall character looks more like a bird-inspired fantasy monster, with talons and features that are different from Malenia’s rot-themed design.
The Lion Warrior and Godfrey Comparison
Another trailer moment shows a powerful warrior fighting alongside a giant lion-like creature. This quickly reminded many Elden Ring players of Godfrey, First Elden Lord, and Serosh.
Godfrey and Serosh are one of Elden Ring’s most memorable boss pairings. Because of that, a large warrior standing with a lion-like companion was enough for many viewers to make the connection.
A human warrior and a beast companion are not new fantasy ideas. But players feel that the design, mood, and trailer framing make the Nodusfall scene look especially familiar.
The Mounted Enemy and Nameless King Reaction
Players have also compared a mounted Nodusfall enemy to the Nameless King from Dark Souls 3.
The reaction comes from the mounted battle setup, the enemy’s overall shape, and the dragon-rider feeling of the scene. Many FromSoftware fans believe this part of the trailer looks like a clear reference to the Nameless King boss battle.
Again, this does not mean the enemy is a direct copy. Dragon riders and mounted warriors are common in fantasy games. But the number of similar-looking moments in one trailer has made the criticism much louder.
Other Boss Similarities
A giant fiery enemy has also caused debate. Some players compared it to Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame, from Elden Ring. Others said its burning look reminded them of the Furnace Golems from Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
The creature does not appear to match one specific Elden Ring boss exactly. However, its fire effects, large body, and dark atmosphere have added to the belief that Nodusfall is strongly influenced by FromSoftware’s style.
Why Players Are Calling It “Gacha Elden Ring”
Nodus Fall is getting backlash and is being accused by players of copypaste Elden Ring following its reveal.
People is calling it “Gacha Elden Ring” or “Elden Ring from Wish.”
Players have found similarities in the dark fantasy world, enemy designs, combat and some of the… pic.twitter.com/R1xLbpW9cO
HoYoverse is best known for free-to-play games with character banners, random pulls, limited-time characters, and in-game currencies. Because Nodusfall has a much darker look than the company’s earlier games, some players joked that it is Elden Ring with a gacha system.
But HoYoverse has already shared one important detail: Nodusfall’s characters will not be obtained through random draws. The company said the game will be free-to-play and designed as a long-term experience, but it said playable characters will not be locked behind a normal gacha pull system. Cosmetics may still be used as part of the game’s monetization.
That means the “Gacha Elden Ring” label is not fully accurate based on the information available right now. The game may be free-to-play, but HoYoverse has not confirmed a traditional character gacha system.
Is Nodusfall More Like Monster Hunter?
Nodusfall may have a dark fantasy look similar to Elden Ring, but its main gameplay structure could be closer to Monster Hunter.
HoYoverse says players will work together to fight colossal enemies and use powers gained from defeated foes. The official game description also mentions teaming up, changing roles, and adjusting loadouts for difficult battles.
This points toward a co-op boss-hunting experience rather than a fully solo Soulslike adventure.
Feature
What has been confirmed for Nodusfall
Dark fantasy world
Yes
Large mythic monsters
Yes
Co-op battles
Yes
Role and loadout changes
Yes
Powers gained from enemies
Yes
Free-to-play model
Yes
Traditional character gacha
No, according to HoYoverse
Release date
Not announced
Platforms
Not announced
Nodusfall could end up mixing ideas from several action games. Its final identity will depend on how its combat, loot, co-op systems, story, and long-term content work together.
Is Nodusfall Actually Copying Elden Ring?
It is too early to say Nodusfall is copying Elden Ring.
The trailer has scenes that many fans believe look too close to Malenia, Godfrey, Serosh, the Nameless King, and other FromSoftware designs. Those comparisons are understandable, especially because these characters are easy for Elden Ring players to recognize.
However, dark fantasy uses many shared ideas. Fallen gods, giant dragons, winged creatures, ruined lands, monstrous kings, and large boss fights have existed in fantasy games long before Elden Ring.
The bigger test will come when HoYoverse shows more gameplay. If Nodusfall’s enemy designs, combat systems, worldbuilding, and co-op mechanics have their own clear identity, the comparison may become less important. If future trailers continue to show scenes that closely match well-known FromSoftware moments, players may keep calling it an Elden Ring copy.
What HoYoverse Has Confirmed
Here is what is officially known about Nodusfall so far:
Nodusfall was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026.
It is being developed and published by HoYoverse.
It is a multi-mythology co-op action game.
Players take the role of Weavers.
Players will fight massive mythical enemies.
Players can gain divine powers from enemies they defeat.
Nodusfall will be free to play.
HoYoverse says characters will not come from random draws.
A release date has not been announced.
Platforms have not been confirmed.
Nodusfall Release Date and Platforms
Nodusfall does not have a release date or release window yet. HoYoverse has also not announced which platforms the game will support.
Players should be careful with rumors about PC, PlayStation, Xbox, mobile, cross-play, console performance, or game requirements. Those details have not been officially confirmed.
HoYoverse is expected to share more information as Nodusfall moves further into development.
Final Thoughts
Nodusfall has become one of the most talked-about Gamescom reveals because it looks very different from HoYoverse’s better-known games. Its dark world, giant enemies, and realistic visuals have caught attention but its similarities to Elden Ring have also created a problem.
For now, players are divided. Some think Nodusfall is a promising co-op action game that takes inspiration from several popular titles. Others believe some trailer scenes look too close to Elden Ring and Dark Souls.
The game needs more gameplay footage to answer the biggest questions. Until then, Nodusfall will likely continue to be known as HoYoverse’s controversial “Gacha Elden Ring” game even though the company says its characters will not be earned through random gacha pulls.
