Nodusfall Called a 'Cheap Elden Ring': A Lesson in Visual Data in the Media Era

When HoYoverse released the first trailer for Nodusfall, the international gaming community immediately split into two camps. The first called it a 'cheap Elden Ring rip-off', the second argued that dark fantasy and soulslike are not elements FromSoftware can monopolize. But looking at the visual data table, I see a deeper issue: we are judging a game based on 30 seconds of still images, while the entire gameplay mechanics remain unknown. The context of this controversy is not new. Since Elden Ring launched in 2026 and won Game of the Year, the gaming industry has witnessed a wave of new projects choosing similar combat styles, world design, and atmosphere. This is the inevitable consequence of a masterpiece setting new standards. But for HoYoverse — a company known for anime-style gacha games like Genshin Impact — pivoting entirely to realistic dark fantasy is a major strategic shift. And this very difference makes the community suspicious: can a studio accustomed to anime games have the design talent to escape FromSoftware's shadow? Data from the debate shows comparisons are mostly based on visuals: a winged character reminding players of Malenia, a white-haired woman compared to Melina. But the key point most overlook is the gameplay mechanic. Nodusfall focuses on co-op boss hunting with up to four players — a genuine differentiator from Elden Ring, which is a single-player game. If we look at gameplay structure, Nodusfall is probably closer to Monster Hunter than Elden Ring. Visual similarity does not imply mechanical similarity. Interestingly, the community itself recognized this when comparing Nodusfall to 'Elden Ring meets Monster Hunter'. This is the most useful comparison framework, but it gets buried under the wave of criticism. Legally, game mechanics are generally not copyrightable; only specific expressive elements like character designs and art assets can be considered infringing. The similarities described are archetypal rather than direct copies. Legal risk is low, but reputational risk is real. From a data perspective, this controversy reflects a classic phenomenon: the crowd judges based on too small a data sample. One trailer does not create a trend, nor does it convict a game. If HoYoverse quickly releases gameplay footage clearly showing the co-op mechanic, the narrative can shift from 'copy' to 'differentiated'. Conversely, if the criticism wave persists until launch without convincing gameplay evidence, Nodusfall's reputation could be severely damaged. The question is not whether Nodusfall copies Elden Ring, but whether we have enough patience to wait for complete data before passing judgment. Data does not lie — only the listener lacks patience. And in an era where a single trailer can shape an entire narrative, maintaining a stance based on sufficient evidence is more important than ever.