Nodusfall Ditches HoYoverse Sparkle for Grim Dark Fantasy, and Early Hands-On Impressions Are Promising

Anyone expecting the usual HoYoverse formula from Nodusfall is in for a shock. The studio best known for bright, colourful, character-driven games has gone in the opposite direction, delivering a bleak dark fantasy action title full of vicious monsters, mysterious magic and grimy, lived-in worlds.

The visual shift is stark. The cute creatures and glossy anime cast that define much of HoYoverse's catalogue are nowhere to be seen. In their place is a muted, weathered look that inevitably invites comparisons to Elden Ring and the wider FromSoftware school of design. It is a resemblance that is hard to ignore, and it will likely follow the game around until release.

But a hands-on session at Gamescom left a more encouraging impression than the surface similarities might suggest. According to the preview, Nodusfall shows real potential to step out from behind those comparisons and establish its own identity, rather than settling for being a clone in a familiar coat.

That matters for HoYoverse, which has built its reputation on live-service gacha hits and polished, colourful worlds. Moving into a darker, more grounded corner of action gaming is a notable creative gamble. Dark fantasy is a crowded space, and players have seen plenty of studios chase the Elden Ring template with mixed results. Standing out will take more than moody art direction and imposing bosses.

What the Gamescom demo hints at is that the team may have ideas of its own to bring to the table. The preview describes a game that took its player by surprise, which is a strong signal given the low expectations many would bring to a HoYoverse take on this genre.

There are still plenty of unknowns. A short convention demo can only reveal so much about combat depth, progression, structure and long-term appeal, and it says little about how the game will be monetised or supported after launch. Those questions will shape whether Nodusfall becomes a genuine contender or just another entry in the crowded field of souls-inspired action games.

For now, the takeaway is cautiously optimistic. Nodusfall looks nothing like what HoYoverse fans are used to, and that may be exactly its strength. If the studio can build on what was shown at Gamescom, this could be one of the more interesting surprises in the dark fantasy space.