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Nodusfall Takes HoYoverse Into Realistic Fantasy
HoYoverse has built an instantly recognisable identity through games such as Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, but its next major project is heading somewhere very different. After previously teasing an Unreal Engine 5 fantasy project, the developer officially unveiled Nodusfall during Gamescom Opening Night Live.
The reveal opened the main showcase and immediately stood apart from HoYoverse’s existing catalogue. Instead of stylised anime characters, The game adopts what the studio calls a “realistic fantasy” visual direction, bringing enormous creatures, sprawling environments and more grounded character designs to life using Unreal Engine 5.
It was one of the many reveals from the night, all of which can be found in our Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 roundup.
Draws From Mythologies Around the World
Nodusfall takes place in a world where divine authority has crumbled, and the old order has collapsed. Players become Weavers, beings connected to divine power who must confront the corruption spreading across the land. At the centre of that calamity are the Dreadnodi, mysterious entities whose influence has corrupted legendary creatures.
HoYoverse is drawing inspiration from multiple mythological traditions rather than restricting the setting to one culture. The debut trailer alone moves between Western dragons, Eastern-inspired creatures and enormous humanoid beings, while future regions are expected to have their own ecosystems, cultures and histories.
Co-Op Battles Require More Than Brute Force
Cooperative combat sits at the heart of Nodusfall, with players forming squads to tackle its enormous mythological enemies. Characters can combine different Styles and Skills, allowing teams to adjust their approach around each encounter.
Battles revolve around maintaining pressure until an enemy exposes a weakness, before coordinating attacks to capitalise on the opening. Defeating powerful creatures rewards resources used to unlock additional Skills and weapons, gradually expanding the builds and tactics available.
There is an obvious Monster Hunter flavour to the idea of teams hunting enormous creatures, while its darker presentation may invite comparisons with other modern fantasy action games. How Nodusfall ultimately distinguishes itself will become clearer as HoYoverse reveals more of its systems.
Nodusfall Still Has Some Big Questions to Answer
What HoYoverse has not revealed is almost as interesting. There is currently no confirmed release window or platform list, while the studio has said nothing about Nodusfall’s monetisation. That leaves open the question of whether it will follow the free-to-play models associated with HoYoverse’s biggest games or take a completely different approach.
Pre-registration has already opened through the official website, suggesting HoYoverse intends to start building its audience early. For now, though, Nodusfall is already noteworthy simply because of how far it steps outside the company’s established comfort zone.
