HoYo's Nodusfall: free co-op monster slayer
HoYo's upcoming game Nodusfall is a free-to-play co-op action title focused on squad-based boss battles. The game, which lacks a release date, draws comparisons to Monster Hunter but features unique mechanics like Divine Skills and player-versus-player boss control.
Developer HoYo is working on a free-to-play co-op action game called Nodusfall. The title, revealed via a trailer, pits squads of players against massive mythical creatures in a dark fantasy setting.
According to a preview by PC Gamer's Fraser Brown, Nodusfall is not a soulslike but a closer relative to Monster Hunter. Players select contracts and hunt down big beasties in lengthy, elaborate fights with multiple phases.
Release and beta details
Nodusfall does not have a solid release date or even a release year. HoYo typically announces dates only near a game's final beta round. Based on the developer's pattern of three open betas before launch, PC Gamer speculates a release sometime in 2028.
Pre-registration and a questionnaire for possible beta selection are available on the official Nodusfall site. The site clarifies this is for future betas, not one currently running.
Story and setting
The story unfolds across a dark fantasy "mythic continent" corrupted by beings called Dreadnodi. Players take the role of a "Weaver," a divinely enlightened being tasked with restoring order. The world is teeming with corrupted legendary creatures inspired by Eastern and Western mythology, such as manticores, dragons, and giant bears.
Landscapes shown in the reveal trailer include golden hills, fiery skies, dreary moors, misty forests, dusty deserts, and gargantuan canyons. The trailer suggests a mature tone, a departure from HoYo's usual anime style.
Gameplay mechanics
Breaking from HoYo's single-player teambuilding mold, Nodusfall is a squad-based co-op game. Players pick a character, build a loadout, and work with up to three others to defeat bosses for resources to unlock skills and forge weapons. The official site claims players can "switch roles and loadouts at will."
PC Gamer's preview highlights several key features that differentiate it from similar titles:
Fraser Brown noted a fondness for the "clash mechanic," where charging a strong attack to counter a monster's strike results in a stylish, transformative counter.
Monetization approach
HoYo has stated there is no character gacha in Nodusfall. All characters are obtained by playing the story. The developer has not ruled out gacha systems for other elements but confirmed cosmetic monetization is "an important avenue" under consideration. PC Gamer's report concludes Nodusfall is not a gacha game in the traditional sense.
