With its ruined version of London, Arthurian mythology and colossal enemies, Tides of Annihilation certainly isn’t short on ambition. Eclipse Glow Games’ upcoming action-adventure combines a recognisable modern setting with fantasy elements that could hardly be further removed from it, while placing fast-paced combat at the centre of the experience. After getting an extended hands-on session with the PC version at Gamescom, it is already clear that this is a game that wants to make a strong impression.
What we know
Tides of Annihilation is a third-person action-adventure set in a London that has been devastated by the sudden arrival of a mysterious realm known as the Otherworld. As reality and fantasy begin to merge, protagonist Gwendolyn finds herself among the few survivors of the catastrophe and sets out to uncover what happened while trying to save her family, the city and potentially the entire world. Arthurian legend plays a major role in the story, with Gwendolyn able to call upon more than a dozen Knights of the Round Table, each bringing their own combat abilities and specialities to the battlefield.
The knights are also central to the game’s combat system, as players can build their own combinations of knights and adapt their setup to different situations. Alongside the fast-paced swordplay, dodging and defensive moves, the game features different weapons, equipment and other customisation options that can influence Gwendolyn’s capabilities. The adventure also promises exploration and encounters with enormous Colossal Knights. These towering beings move between the two worlds and can serve as both locations to explore and the setting for some of the game’s largest battles. Tides of Annihilation is in development for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC version planned for Steam and the Epic Games Store. There is currently no announced release date.
What we saw
Our preview was based on an early PC build that we were able to play during a lengthy hands-on session with the developer at Gamescom. Being given a full hour with the game provided considerably more time to get to grips with its combat, exploration and progression systems than the brief demos often available at events, and the amount of content on display already suggested a remarkably polished production despite the lack of a release date.
What we thought
That level of confidence from Eclipse Glow Games is understandable, because Tides of Annihilation already feels like a remarkably accomplished action game. Its premise is certainly one of its biggest strengths. A ruined modern London being consumed by an Arthurian fantasy world is an unusual combination, and the game embraces that contrast rather than trying to make the two elements blend into something more conventional. Wandering through a destroyed museum while encountering knights, mythical creatures and environments that suddenly give way to entirely different realms gives the adventure a distinctive identity. The narrative remains difficult to judge from an early build, but Gwendolyn’s search for the Holy Grail and her relationship with characters such as Niniane provide enough intrigue to make the journey worth following. The game’s willingness to throw together Arthurian legend, Egyptian mythology and other influences can occasionally feel excessive, but visually it works remarkably well.
Combat is where Tides of Annihilation really starts to demonstrate what it can do. The basic ingredients will be familiar to anyone who has played a character-action game, with light and heavy attacks, dodges, parries, counters, stagger mechanics and powerful finishing moves, but the Knights of the Round Table give the system its own identity. Rather than simply acting as additional characters, the knights can be summoned during attacks to extend combos or change their properties, and switching between different pairs on the fly makes experimentation particularly enjoyable. One knight might provide ranged attacks while another specialises in close-quarters damage or defensive abilities, encouraging players to consider their loadout rather than simply relying on the same attacks throughout. There is plenty of room for button-mashing against weaker opponents, but the deeper systems suggest that players willing to learn how the different knights interact will find considerably more to work with.
The controls already feel responsive and the sheer amount of activity taking place on screen rarely makes the action difficult to follow. That said, movement could still use some refinement. Gwendolyn’s running speed feels somewhat sluggish, while her aerial movement and double-jump lack the freedom that some of the platforming sections appear to demand. There is also a slight tension between the game’s emphasis on flowing combos and some of its more prescriptive combat mechanics. Certain enemy attacks use color-coded warnings that require a specific response, such as countering or jumping, which can interrupt the rhythm of an otherwise fluid fight. The same applies to some of the game’s guidance systems: Niniane and other visual prompts can be useful, but they occasionally explain solutions or point out the intended route before there is much opportunity to discover it independently. These are relatively small issues in an early build, but they stand out precisely because the underlying combat is so enjoyable.
Visually and aurally, however, Tides of Annihilation is already an impressive showcase. The ruined London environments are packed with detail, while the game’s various mythological influences give each area a distinct look rather than simply providing different coats of paint. Boss encounters take that spectacle even further, with multi-stage battles, gigantic creatures and cinematic sequences that transition into playable action without losing their sense of scale. The soundtrack also adapts to the setting, with different musical influences appearing as Gwendolyn moves between museum exhibits and other realms. What is particularly encouraging is that the game doesn’t simply imitate the established greats of the character-action genre; their influence is apparent, but Eclipse Glow Games has combined those ideas with its Arthurian setting, knight-based combat and striking visual style to give Tides of Annihilation a personality of its own. There is still plenty that remains unknown, especially regarding the full story, progression and the promised Colossal Knights, but this early PC build already makes the game one to keep an eye on.