Nodusfall: HoYoverse's Elden Ring-like Is Designed to Be Accessible

Ever wanted to dive into a grim, Elden Ring-style world but worried it might be too punishing? HoYoverse has you covered with its upcoming action game, Nodusfall.

The studio behind Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero took to Twitter to answer some frequently asked questions about the game, and one key point stood out: Nodusfall isn't meant to be impenetrably hard. "We don't want difficulty to be a barrier for players entering Nodusfall," the post reads. "The game is designed to be accessible even for players who are new to this type of action gameplay, while still maintaining a high ceiling in terms of controls, coordination, and builds, giving players who love a challenge plenty of room to dive deeper."

That's a smart move. With massive communities already invested in Genshin, Zenless Zone Zero, and Honkai: Star Rail, plenty of fans will likely check out Nodusfall just because it's from HoYoverse. Throwing them into an absolute gauntlet in the first hour probably wouldn't do much for player retention. We don't need everyone to sit through HoYoverse's version of the Undead Burg, inching forward bit by bit.

So what exactly is Nodusfall? According to the FAQ, it's a mythology-themed action game centered around multiplayer co-op. It sits somewhere between FromSoftware's output and Monster Hunter, with the overall goal being to take down gigantic beasts roaming the land. Further details are still limited, but the first reveal was nearly a month ago, and the hype is building.

The word "accessible" suggests there will be a number of settings players can tinker with to make the experience comfortable for themselves. Such options are always welcome, even from someone who loves a good challenge. Done well, Nodusfall could be very captivating – though many of us will probably be dying plenty of times regardless.

It's an interesting direction for HoYoverse, which is known for its anime-style gacha games. Going for a more downtrodden, Elden Ring vibe is a departure, but if anyone can pull off a co-op beast-slaying adventure that appeals to both newcomers and hardcore action fans, it might just be them.

What do you think? Are you excited for a more accessible take on the Soulslike formula, or do you prefer your games brutally hard? Let us know in the comments!