Tencent Targets Western Audience with Arthurian Knights in Tides of Annihilation

In a revealing interview with Wccftech at Gamescom 2024, the developers of Tides of Annihilation from Eclipse Glow Games delved into the game's concept, gameplay mechanics, and future plans. Dive into the details to learn more about what's in store.

Tides of Annihilation Aims For A Western Audience

The Central Concept Of Arthurian Myths And Knights

Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, has tailored Tides of Annihilation to appeal to a Western audience, following the strategic direction set by their financial backers, Tencent. The game's producer explained, "This game and Black Myth: Wukong are two projects invested in by Tencent, and there were different expectations set on these two projects. Black Myth: Wukong targeted the Chinese market, but for this project, we targeted a Western audience, so we chose the Arthurian legends." The core concept revolves around knights, evolving into a narrative centered on King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Set in a post-apocalyptic modern-day London, Tides of Annihilation follows the journey of Gwendolyn, the apparent last human survivor amidst an Outworld invasion. The game blends an alternate modern setting with fantasy elements drawn directly from Arthurian myths.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat And Over 30 Bosses

The gameplay of Tides of Annihilation echoes the dynamic combat style of the Devil May Cry series, a similarity the developers openly acknowledge. "It's definitely more like Devil May Cry," they stated, emphasizing the inclusion of difficulty selection to cater to a broader range of players. The controls are designed to be accessible, ensuring that even those less experienced with action games can enjoy the experience.

Players can customize their combat style with four weapons and over ten different Knights to command as sidekicks. Gwendolyn discovers her ability to summon the legendary Knights of the Round Table, who aid her in navigating the ruins of London to uncover the truth behind the invasion. With over 30 unique bosses to challenge, the game promises engaging and demanding combat encounters. "Players will have to prepare for very challenging boss fights," the developers noted.

Plans Of Creating An Anthology

Looking ahead, Eclipse Glow Games expressed interest in expanding Tides of Annihilation into an anthology series, exploring different settings and mythologies with new protagonists. "But we would still want to use the Outworld invasion concept that we're using for Tides of Annihilation," they added, suggesting a unifying theme for potential future titles. The success of the initial game is crucial for realizing these ambitious plans.

Currently in its beta phase, Tides of Annihilation is slated for a tentative 2026 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will join Gwendolyn on her quest to save not only London but also the intertwined fantasy realm of Avalon.