Tides of Annihilation Arthurian Knights Concept is Tencent's Appeal to Westerners

In an exclusive interview with Wccftech at Gamescom 2024, the developers behind Tides of Annihilation, Eclipse Glow Games, revealed the reasoning behind the game's unique setting and its appeal to a Western audience. Dive into the details of the game's concept and what the future holds.

Tides of Annihilation Targets Western Gamers

Embracing Arthurian Myths and Knights

Eclipse Glow Games, despite being a China-based studio, has chosen to set Tides of Annihilation in a Western context, specifically in a post-apocalyptic modern-day London. This decision was influenced by their financial backer, Tencent, who set different expectations for this project compared to others like Black Myth: Wukong. "Tencent's investment in Tides of Annihilation aimed at capturing the Western market, leading us to incorporate the rich tapestry of Arthurian legends," explained the game's producer. The central theme revolves around knights, evolving into the iconic King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

The game follows heroine Gwendolyn, seemingly the last human survivor in a city devastated by an Outworld invasion. While rooted in a modern setting, Tides of Annihilation weaves in fantasy elements inspired by Arthurian myths.

Dynamic Combat Inspired by Devil May Cry with Over 30 Bosses

The action-RPG gameplay of Tides of Annihilation draws heavily from the dynamic combat style of Devil May Cry, as acknowledged by the developers. "Our combat system is definitely more like Devil May Cry," they stated, emphasizing the addition of difficulty selection to cater to a broader audience. The controls are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that even those new to action games can enjoy the experience.

Players can customize their combat style with four weapon choices and over ten different Knights to command as sidekicks. Gwendolyn discovers her ability to summon the legendary Knights of the Round Table to aid her in navigating the ruins of London and uncovering the truth behind the invasion. With more than 30 unique bosses to challenge, the game promises an engaging and demanding experience. "Players will need to gear up for intense boss battles," the developers warned.

Future Plans: An Anthology of Mythologies

Looking ahead, Eclipse Glow Games expressed interest in expanding Tides of Annihilation into an anthology series. The studio aims to explore different settings and mythologies, potentially with new protagonists for each installment. "We plan to retain the Outworld invasion theme as a core element across the anthology," they added, hinting at a unified narrative thread.

The success of the initial game is crucial for these ambitious plans, as the team hopes to bring a variety of mythologies to life through this series.

Tides of Annihilation: A Glimpse into the Future

Currently in its beta phase, Tides of Annihilation is set to launch in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will join Gwendolyn on her quest to not only save London but also navigate the intertwining realms of reality and the mystical Avalon.