Genshin Impact Creator Shifts Focus from Zelda to Elden Ring Style

For years, HoYoverse, the developer behind the global phenomenon Genshin Impact, has navigated a complex reputation regarding its creative influences. Upon its 2020 release, Genshin Impact was frequently compared to Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild due to its vibrant art style, gliding mechanics, and focus on systemic open-world exploration. However, recent developments suggest the studio is shifting its design philosophy, leaning heavily into the darker, more deliberate, and challenging combat systems popularized by FromSoftware’s Elden Ring.

This evolution is most evident in HoYoverse's upcoming project, Zenless Zone Zero, and the ongoing development of its science-fiction title, Honkai: Star Rail. While Genshin Impact continues to prioritize a lighthearted, anime-inspired aesthetic, the studio's newer efforts suggest a desire to capture a more mature audience interested in high-stakes action and intricate combat loops rather than just casual exploration.

Industry analysts note that this transition marks a significant maturation for the Chinese developer. By moving away from the "Zelda-lite" blueprint, HoYoverse is attempting to establish a distinct mechanical identity. Elden Ring, which redefined the action-RPG genre with its punishing difficulty and emphasis on character builds, appears to have become the new gold standard for the studio. In many of their recent showcases, HoYoverse has highlighted parry mechanics, complex boss encounters, and tight, reactive combat—elements that stand in stark contrast to the whimsical, elemental-mixing combat of their earlier work.

This shift is not merely about gameplay mechanics; it represents a strategic business move. As the live-service market becomes increasingly saturated, studios are looking for ways to differentiate their products. While Genshin Impact thrives on its accessible, pick-up-and-play nature, the gaming market is showing a strong appetite for more demanding, "hardcore" action experiences. By integrating the gravity and intensity of the Souls-like genre into their signature high-budget production values, HoYoverse is positioning itself to compete with industry giants that cater to veteran players.

However, the transition is not without its risks. The Genshin Impact fanbase, which has grown to number in the millions, is largely drawn to the game’s relaxing atmosphere and character-focused storytelling. Forcing a more difficult, Elden Ring-style combat system into its future ecosystem could alienate players who prefer a less stressful experience. HoYoverse faces the difficult challenge of balancing the accessibility that made them a household name with the technical depth required to satisfy fans of more serious action-RPGs.

Despite these challenges, the studio’s financial trajectory suggests they have the resources to experiment. With massive revenue streams from their existing titles, HoYoverse has effectively become one of the most powerful developers in the world. This financial cushion allows them to iterate on their designs, effectively "trading" their previous reliance on Nintendo-style exploration for the more gritty, precision-based combat that currently dominates the RPG charts.

As the studio continues to refine its craft, the gaming community will be watching closely to see if this shift in inspiration results in a new hit or if the studio struggles to maintain its identity. One thing is clear: HoYoverse is no longer content with being compared to its predecessors. It is now actively looking toward the most successful combat-focused games on the market to dictate its next chapter.