Tides of Annihilation, an action-RPG heavily inspired by Arthurian legend, plunges players into a ruined London under invasion from another world. Developer Eclipse Glow Games aims to blend high style with substantial gameplay in this ambitious title.
The game's setting reimagines familiar London landmarks, such as the British Museum, now warped by otherworldly forces. Players control Gwendolyn, the last human survivor, on a quest for a shard of the Holy Grail. She is aided by Niniane, a fairy companion who guides the player, and a host of spectral knights drawn from Arthurian lore, who act as powerful allies in combat. These knights can be summoned to perform devastating attacks that punctuate Gwendolyn's combos.
Combat in Tides of Annihilation emphasizes responsiveness and fluidity. Players can modify Gwendolyn's attacks with charged strikes, uppercuts for juggling enemies, and execution moves. A key feature is the ability to switch between different pairs of spectral knights on the fly, allowing for strategic loadouts tailored to individual playstyles. For instance, players might pair the close-range capabilities of Bedivere with Gawain's teleportation, or combine Palamedes' guard-breaking with Kay's freezing abilities. The preview build featured five knights, with the full game promising a larger roster.
Boss encounters in the demo included a fight against Anubis in a desert realm and a multi-phase battle against Mordred within the museum's library, who later emerged atop a dragon. These encounters were noted for their visual flair and required players to adapt their strategies as the bosses escalated their attacks.
Beyond combat, the spectral knights also offer utility in exploration. Bors, an archer, can create ziplines with rope arrows or cut down suspended treasure chests. The strongman Palamedes can break through cracked walls, lift heavy doors, and move objects to create platforms. This suggests a potential Metroidvania-like structure, encouraging players to revisit areas with new knight abilities to unlock secrets.
Optional combat challenges and boss battles are scattered throughout the environments, rewarding players with new weapons, armor, and buff-granting badges. One such badge allowed Gwendolyn to revive with half health, proving crucial after a fall during a platforming section. The game also includes environmental puzzles, such as a chess-based brainteaser.
Despite the overall positive impression, the preview noted some areas for improvement. Gwendolyn's sprinting speed felt insufficiently faster than her walking pace, and her aerial agility was described as somewhat limited, akin to a "one-and-a-half-jump." These minor control refinements are hoped for before the game's release.
While major elements teased in previous trailers, like giant Shadow of the Colossus-inspired bosses, were absent from this preview build, the hands-on experience left a strong positive impression. Tides of Annihilation is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a release date yet to be announced. Based on this early look, the game appears poised to deliver a compelling blend of spectacle and substance.