HoYo's Nodusfall: Co-op Monster Hunter rival

HoYo's next game, Nodusfall, is a free-to-play co-op action title where squads of up to four players hunt corrupted legendary creatures. The game, developed in Unreal Engine 5, currently has no solid release date or even a release year.

According to the source, PC Gamer, the developer's pattern suggests a potential 2028 launch. This prediction is based on HoYo's typical schedule of three open betas before release, and the upcoming launches of other titles like Petit Planet this winter and Honkai: Nexus Anima in 2027.

Release and Beta Details

You can currently pre-register for Nodusfall and answer a questionnaire for possible beta selection on its official site. The site clarifies this is for future betas, not one currently running.

The game represents a significant pivot for HoYo, known for anime-style games like Genshin Impact. Nodusfall is a dark fantasy game set on a "mythic continent."

Gameplay and Setting

Players take the role of a "Weaver," a divinely enlightened being fighting to restore order against the "Dreadnodi." The world features distinct regions inspired by various real-life cultures and mythologies, with landscapes including golden hills, fiery skies, dreary moors, misty forests, dusty deserts, and gargantuan canyons. More regions are planned post-release.

Gameplay breaks from HoYo's single-player teambuilding mold. Players pick a character, build a loadout, and cooperate to defeat bosses for resources to unlock skills and forge weapons. Key features differentiate it from similar games like Monster Hunter.

• Powerful "Divine Skills" collected from bosses may enable mid-combat transformation.
• Finishing blow cinematics trigger when an enemy's weakness is revealed, available in both solo and co-op.
• It emphasizes squad variety to defeat hard bosses, similar to an MMO.
• A PvP mode allows players to take control of a boss or fight a player-controlled boss.

The official site also claims players can "switch roles and loadouts at will," suggesting flexibility not locked to one character per account.

Hands-On Impressions and Monetization

PC Gamer's Fraser Brown, who played Nodusfall, states it is "not remotely a soulslike" and is closer to Monster Hunter. He describes "lengthy, elaborate fights with multiple phases" and praised a "clash mechanic" for countering monster attacks. You can read more detailed stats from our own playtests.

Nodusfall will not have a character gacha system; all characters are obtained through story progression. HoYo has stated cosmetic monetization is "an important avenue" it will consider, leaving open the possibility of RNG pulls for cosmetics or special gear. The developer's history of innovative combat loops suggests it may blend elements from Elden Ring, MMOs, and Monster Hunter into a unique experience. For comparisons on how such titles perform, check our hardware fixtures.

The reveal trailer suggests a mature story tone, a direction HoYo has touched on but not fully committed to in past games. The extent of this dark fantasy setting remains a key point of interest as development continues.