Just a couple of days after officially unveiling Nodusfall, developer Hoyoverse has revealed some more details about the title, including some hints about its monetization plan. Speaking to PCGamer, the developers revealed that, much like the studio’s previous games, Nodusfall will also be free-to-play. However, the company doesn’t plan to introduce gacha elements to it, and characters will be unlocked in a different way.
“Nodusfall will be a free-to-play, long-term game. What we can share at this time is that characters are not obtained through random draws. We hope to allow players to unlock this core gameplay experience through continued play. Cosmetic monetization is an important avenue we will be considering.”
Nodusfall was revealed with a trailer during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live showcase. The trailer itself provided quite a bit of information about what kind of game it will be. Most interesting, however, is the fact that it won’t use the same anime-inspired art style that the studio is known for thanks to games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. Rather, Hoyoverse has gone for a more photorealistic look, which really amplifies the dark fantasy atmosphere of the title.
On its official website, the studio explains that the main story of Nodusfall revolves around “both divine authority and order” having fallen. Players will take on the role of Weavers and create bonds with their companions to take on the strange creatures that have started popping up all over the world.
The title draws inspiration from different real-world mythologies for the designs and stories of its creatures, characters, and the world. This means that players will face off against anything from massive dragons that signify the coming of catastrophe to ancient beasts deeply rooted in Eastern folklore. New regions are revealed to the player over the course of their time with the game, each with its own distinct history, culture, and ecosystem.
The player’s weaver won’t have to take on these massive challenges by themselves, however. Teamwork is a key factor in Nodusfall, and players will form their own squad of companions to take on the massive beasts and creatures in the game. Along with offering extra firepower in a fight, these companions also offer help in other ways, like synergizing with your own spells and abilities, and opening up more room for tactical actions.
Beating the massive beasts will reward players with resources and experience, which in turn will allow the players to further refine their play style by allowing them to craft new gear and unlock new abilities. Hoyoverse has said that the player’s own available skills, along with the presence of the companions, will add up to offer “endless tactical possibilities.”
Nodusfall doesn’t yet have a release date, and Hoyoverse hasn’t confirmed what platforms it is targeting for release. However, the high-fidelity visuals shown in its reveal trailer would indicate that the company is aiming for a PC and home console release, and that mobiles may not have the raw horsepower needed to run the game smoothly. In the meantime, the developer is also gradually updating its official website for the game to reveal more details about the lore.
