Tencent Targets Western Audience with Arthurian Knights in Tides of Annihilation

In an insightful interview with Wccftech, the developers of Tides of Annihilation at Eclipse Glow Games discussed the game's unique concept, gameplay mechanics, and future plans. Dive deeper to explore why the game embraces Arthurian legends and what lies ahead.

Tides of Annihilation Aims For A Western Audience

The Central Concept Of Arthurian Myths And Knights

During Gamescom 2024, Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, explained their choice of a Western setting for Tides of Annihilation. The decision was influenced by their financial backer, the Chinese conglomerate Tencent, who set different expectations for this project compared to others like Black Myth: Wukong. "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 producer stated. The game revolves around the theme of knights, ultimately focusing on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Set in a post-apocalyptic modern-day London, Tides of Annihilation depicts a city devastated by an Outworld invasion, with Gwendolyn as the apparent sole human survivor. Despite its modern setting, the game integrates numerous fantasy elements, drawing inspiration directly from Arthurian myths.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat And Over 30 Bosses

Action-RPG enthusiasts will notice Tides of Annihilation's combat system bears a strong resemblance to that of Devil May Cry. The developers confirmed this, stating, "It’s definitely more like Devil May Cry," but they've also introduced a difficulty selection feature to cater to a broader range of players. The controls are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring accessibility for gamers of all skill levels.

Players can customize their combat style through different playstyles, choosing from four weapons and over ten different Knights to assist Gwendolyn. In the game, Gwendolyn can command the legendary Knights of the Round Table, fighting alongside them as they navigate the ruins of London to uncover the truth behind the invasion. With over 30 unique bosses to challenge, the gameplay promises to be both engaging and demanding. "Players will have to prepare for very challenging boss fights," the developers emphasized.

Plans Of Creating An Anthology

Eclipse Glow Games also shared their vision of expanding Tides of Annihilation into an anthology, exploring different settings and mythologies, possibly with a new protagonist for each installment. "But we would still want to use the Outworld invasion concept that we're using for Tides of Annihilation," they noted, aiming to retain this core element across future titles. The success of the first game is crucial for the realization of this expansive vision, allowing the team to bring more mythologies and titles to life.

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