Tencent Targets Western Audience with Arthurian Knights in Tides of Annihilation

In an engaging interview with Wccftech at Gamescom 2024, the developers of Tides of Annihilation, Eclipse Glow Games, delved into the unique concept behind their game, which is inspired by Arthurian legends and set in a post-apocalyptic London. Here's a closer look at what makes this game a compelling addition to the action-RPG genre.

Tides of Annihilation Aims For A Western Audience

The Central Concept Of Arthurian Myths And Knights

Eclipse Glow Games, a China-based studio, explained that their choice of a Western setting for Tides of Annihilation was influenced by Tencent, their financial backer. "This game and Black Myth: Wukong are two projects invested in by Tencent, with different market expectations. While Black Myth: Wukong targeted the Chinese market, Tides of Annihilation is aimed at a Western audience, leading us to choose the rich tapestry of Arthurian legends," shared the game’s producer. The central theme revolves around knights, evolving into the iconic King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Set in a modern-day London devastated by an Outworld invasion, Tides of Annihilation follows the journey of the heroine, Gwendolyn, who appears to be the city's sole human survivor. The game blends this alternate modern setting with fantasy elements deeply rooted in Arthurian myths, creating a unique narrative experience.

Devil May Cry-inspired Combat And Over 30 Bosses

Fans of action-RPGs will recognize the influence of Devil May Cry in Tides of Annihilation's combat system. The developers confirmed this inspiration, noting that the game offers a combat style "definitely more like Devil May Cry," but with customizable difficulty settings to cater to a broader audience. This approach makes the game accessible to both casual and hardcore players.

Players can customize their combat style with four different weapons and over ten Knights to choose from as sidekicks. Gwendolyn discovers her ability to command the legendary Knights of the Round Table, using them to navigate the ruins of London and uncover the mysteries of the invasion. With over 30 unique bosses to battle, the game promises challenging and engaging gameplay.

Plans Of Creating An Anthology

Looking to the future, Eclipse Glow Games expressed interest in expanding Tides of Annihilation into an anthology series. They aim to explore different settings and mythologies, each with a new protagonist, while retaining the core concept of the Outworld invasion. "We would still want to use the Outworld invasion concept that we're using for Tides of Annihilation," they mentioned, hinting at the potential for a rich, interconnected series of games.

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 in her quest to save both London and the mythical realm of Avalon, as the boundaries between the real world and fantasy blur.