In an insightful interview with Wccftech at Gamescom 2024, the developers of Tides of Annihilation, Eclipse Glow Games, delved into the reasons behind the game's unique blend of Arthurian myths and its London setting. Here's a detailed look at the game's concept and what players can anticipate.

Tides of Annihilation Targets a Western Audience

The Central Concept of Arthurian Myths and Knights

Eclipse Glow Games, despite being a China-based studio, opted for a Western setting in Tides of Annihilation due to the strategic direction provided by their financial backer, Tencent. The 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 concept revolves around knights, specifically King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic modern-day London ravaged by an Outworld invasion. The protagonist, Gwendolyn, emerges as the city's sole human survivor, navigating a world that blends modern elements with fantastical aspects inspired by Arthurian myths.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat and Over 30 Bosses

The gameplay of Tides of Annihilation draws heavily from the classic Devil May Cry series, a fact the developers proudly acknowledge. They stated, "It’s definitely more like Devil May Cry," but with an added feature of difficulty selection to cater to a broader audience, including those less experienced with action games. The combat system is customizable, allowing players to choose from four weapons and over ten different Knights to assist Gwendolyn in her quest through the ruins of London. Gwendolyn can command the legendary Knights of the Round Table, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay. With over 30 unique bosses to challenge, the game promises engaging and varied combat experiences. "Players will have to prepare for very challenging boss fights," the developers emphasized.

Plans of Creating an Anthology

Eclipse Glow Games also expressed their ambition to expand the Tides of Annihilation universe into an anthology. They aim to explore different settings and mythologies, potentially featuring a new protagonist in each installment. "But we would still want to use the Outworld invasion concept that we're using for Tides of Annihilation," they noted, indicating that this theme would remain central to the series. The success of the initial title is crucial for realizing these future projects, as the team hopes to bring more mythologies and titles to life.

Tides of Annihilation is currently in its beta phase and is slated for a tentative release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will embark on an action-adventure journey with Gwendolyn, who battles against fate to save not only London but also the mystical realm of Avalon, which seems to be intertwining with the real world.