Tencent Targets Western Market with Arthurian Knights in Tides of Annihilation

In an insightful interview with Wccftech at Gamescom 2024, the developers of Tides of Annihilation from Eclipse Glow Games delved into the game's unique concept and its appeal to Western audiences. Here's a closer look at what they shared about the game's setting, gameplay, and future plans.

Tides of Annihilation Aims For A Western Audience

The Central Concept Of Arthurian Myths And Knights

Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, has strategically chosen a Western setting for Tides of Annihilation, influenced by their financial backer, 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." This decision led to the central theme revolving around knights, specifically 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, creating a rich and immersive world.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat And Over 30 Bosses

The gameplay of Tides of Annihilation draws clear inspiration from the classic Devil May Cry series, a fact the developers readily acknowledge. "It's definitely more like Devil May Cry," they stated, emphasizing the inclusion of a difficulty selection feature to cater to a broader audience. The controls are designed to be accessible, allowing players of varying skill levels to enjoy the action-RPG experience.

Players can customize their combat style with four different weapons and over ten Knights to choose from as sidekicks. Gwendolyn, the protagonist, can command the legendary Knights of the Round Table, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay as they navigate through a devastated London. With over 30 unique bosses to challenge, the game promises engaging and varied combat encounters. "Players will have to prepare for very challenging boss fights," the developers added.

Plans Of Creating An Anthology

Looking ahead, Eclipse Glow Games expressed their ambition to expand Tides of Annihilation into an anthology series. They aim to explore different settings and mythologies, each potentially featuring a new protagonist. "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 this vision and bringing more mythologies to life.

Currently in its beta phase, Tides of Annihilation is slated for a tentative release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players will follow Gwendolyn as she battles to save not only London but also the intertwined fantasy realm of Avalon, promising a thrilling action-adventure experience.