Tides of Annihilation surprised the gaming community following its State of Play announcement, joining the list of most discussed games of the show. This action RPG from Eclipse Glow Games merges Arthurian legend with a post-apocalyptic world based on present-day London, offering an ambitious take on medieval fantasy. Gwendolyn, a warrior, is the protagonist tasked with rebalancing between two colliding worlds.
With its speedy combat, ginormous bosses, and robust customization, Tides of Annihilation is gearing up to become an action RPG must-play. Here’s the lowdown on the game before its widely anticipated release.
Story Behind Tides of Annihilation
Tides of Annihilation transports players to a London where past and present merge. After an otherworldly attack, the city lives in two worlds: a devastated modern town and a medieval battlefield.
Gwendolyn, the sole remaining Knight of the Round Table, sets out on a desperate quest to stop Avalon from uniting with the present and causing apocalyptic destruction.
This setup provides a fresh spin on Arthurian legend, with ghostly knights, mighty artifacts, and mythic enemies. Look for characters and enemies borrowed from mythology, perhaps including Mordred and Morgan Le Fay.
Fast and Smooth Combat
In contrast to Soulslike games, Tides of Annihilation is more character-action-oriented, similar to Bayonetta and Devil May Cry. Combat is fluid, with players being encouraged to string combos together, dodge, and use abilities in quick succession.
Knight Summoning System
Gwendolyn is not alone in battle; she can call spectral knights to fight alongside her. Each knight has a specific function: offense charges, defensive positions, and support abilities.
Selecting the proper allies for each battle will be the key to defeating formidable foes.
Weapons
You can use four types of weapons, three of which are verified at the time of writing:
- Fists – For close-up, fighting-style combat.
- Swords – A well-rounded choice with a high attack range.
- Bows – Well-suited for ranged attacks and tactical position-setting.
- (Fourth unknown weapon) – The developers still haven’t unveiled the fourth type of weapon.
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Massive Boss Battles And Maps
Eclipse Glow Games has officially announced that Tides of Annihilation will contain more than 30 distinct bosses, each of which must be defeated using varied strategies. There are Colossal Knights, which are giant enemies that serve as interactive battlefields.
Like in Shadow of the Colossus, players must climb these giants, striking vulnerable points to topple them.
Exploration will be necessary as the players move through London’s devastated neighborhoods, finding secret routes and revealing artifacts connected to Avalon’s past.
The game’s world structure is a giant tree, with various branches symbolizing important regions warped by the invading armies.
RPG Elements
While Tides of Annihilation is primarily an action title, it has light RPG elements to facilitate progression and customization.
Skill Trees and Leveling
Gwendolyn’s skills can be upgraded in a skill tree, giving her new fighting skills, stat increases, and buffs for her summoned knights. However, the developers point out that the system is less complex than traditional RPGs.
Equipment and Armor
You can pick up armor and cosmetic accessories in Tides of Annihilation.
Armor does not affect stats or gameplay like in most RPGs, so progression is based on player ability rather than grinding for equipment.
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Powered by Unreal Engine 5
Tides of Annihilation is developed with Unreal Engine 5, which guarantees high-fidelity graphics, realistic lighting, and smooth animations. The game environments combine modern ruins with medieval architecture, creating a visually unique world.
A specific PlayStation 5 Pro mode is also being developed, with ray tracing, improved resolution textures, and a solid 60 FPS experience. This indicates a refined experience on consoles and PC.
Character Depth
Jennifer English plays Gwendolyn, the heroine of the game. She is also known for playing Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3. Gwendolyn’s quest is highly personal, driven by vengeance and a desire to rescue her sister.
Though early previews indicate intense action, the narrative depth is uncertain.
Some have suggested that the character interactions and dialogue appear shallow, so time will tell if the story is up to par with the gameplay.
Potential Release Date and Platforms
Tides of Annihilation will be released 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
No official release date has been announced, but rumors indicate we might hear more about it at future gaming events.
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Final Thoughts
Tides of Annihilation has caused a stir with its gameplay teases and expansive world design. Its blending of Arthurian mythology with contemporary London, high-speed combat, and enormous bosses make it stand out among other action RPGs. Though some have reservations about its storytelling depth, its compelling mechanics and profound lore make it one of the most exciting games to look forward to.
This is a game to watch with additional gameplay footage and information due in the months ahead.
If the developers can tighten up the story and dialogue, Tides of Annihilation has the potential to be a standout title in the action RPG category.