HoYoverse, known for its character-collecting gacha titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, has unveiled Nodusfall, a cooperative action game that deviates significantly from the studio's established formula. Eschewing random character acquisition, Nodusfall focuses on player-defined roles and challenging boss encounters, drawing comparisons to Monster Hunter. This new direction was a significant surprise at Gamescom, showcasing a different facet of the developer's design philosophy.
A New Direction for HoYoverse
Unlike previous HoYoverse titles, Nodusfall does not appear to feature gacha mechanics for obtaining characters. While the company has not confirmed the absence of all gacha elements, the primary method of character acquisition will not be through random draws. The game's aesthetic, described as bleak yet beautiful, with a world where "divine authority has crumbled and order has collapsed," also marks a departure from the vibrant anime style typically associated with the developer. Cosmetic monetization is being considered, but the core gameplay loop seems to center on cooperative action rather than character collection.
Monster Hunter-Inspired Combat
Nodusfall's gameplay loop draws clear inspiration from the Monster Hunter series. Players can team up with others to select contracts and venture into expansive outdoor environments to hunt large creatures. These encounters are presented as lengthy, multi-phase battles against formidable foes. Players begin in a hub area where they can select and customize their characters. Unlike games where character identity is solely tied to weaponry, Nodusfall's characters feature distinct combat styles and unique mechanics, aligning with traditional RPG roles.
During a hands-on session, players formed a four-person crew, with one character acting as a tank wielding a large sword, while others fulfilled different roles. The combat is described as fast-paced and aggressive, emphasizing flashy combos and strategic use of skill cooldowns. A "clash mechanic" allows players to counter enemy attacks with charged strong attacks, transforming their weapons into powerful magical tools. Character ultimates also offer significant combat advantages, with one player's ultimate transforming them into a towering, dual-wielding knight with potent new skills.
Cooperative Boss Battles
The cooperative experience involves tackling escalating boss-style encounters. One notable fight involved a massive dragon and its heavily armored rider. The team had to manage two distinct threats, one airborne and one grounded, with the ultimate abilities proving crucial in dispatching the rider. The encounter culminated in the dragon's rider consuming the creature, only to be defeated by the players' combined efforts, including the summoning of a ghostly warrior. These battles are presented as energetic and dramatic spectacles, highlighting the core appeal of challenging large monsters as a coordinated group.
Nodusfall is aiming for a straightforward and accessible gameplay core, despite its potential for deeper systems, which is characteristic of HoYoverse's approach even when experimenting. The game does not yet have a release date, but HoYoverse has indicated that information regarding beta access will be shared through its official social channels.