Saros might have been the “one more thing” at the State of Play event on February 12, 2025; however, Tides of Annihilation emerged as the game that captured players’ attention. Despite having no official release date announced, it has become one of the most watched games of 2025/2026. Developed by a Chinese studio called Eclipse Glow Games, based in Chengdu, Sichuan region, Tides of Annihilation is drawing significant interest. Notably, this same region hosts Wuchang Fallen Feathers, another game I recently discussed in detail. Following the captivating trailer at the State of Play event that retells Arthurian legends from a Chinese perspective, the studio has now released 11 minutes of pure 4K gameplay to showcase its mechanics.
Tides of Annihilation is a narrative solo game presented by its creators as inspired by the Arthurian legend. The game takes place in a broken and devastated version of London due to it being the site of a supernatural invasion. Players assume the role of Gwendolyn, a renowned warrior, who, alongside spectral knights of the Round Table, must save the world and her family. The developers have integrated London’s most famous landmarks while incorporating fantasy elements from another world, drawing on foundations of Arthurian legend to offer something familiar yet novel, especially for those interested in British and chivalric culture. This is the pitch.
CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA
Behind the scenes, Tides of Annihilation is developed by Chinese studio Eclipse Glow Games, which is based in Chengdu, China. The studio aims to establish itself in the international AAA market. To achieve this goal, the studio has assembled a team of industry veterans who have contributed to well-known games such as Yakuza, Assassin’s Creed, Persona, For Honor, and Prince of Persia. These individuals are not Western developers who moved to China but rather Chinese developers with extensive experience at companies like Ubisoft, SEGA, and 2K Games’ offices in Chengdu. With over two decades in the video game industry, these developers have deep expertise in creating AAA titles. Currently, approximately a hundred Chinese developers have been working on Tides of Annihilation for several years. This is the provided context.
STELLAR BLADE x DMC x FF XVI x VALKYRIE ELYSIUM
It is clear that Tides of Annihilation draws inspiration from various sources, including Final Fantasy, FromSoftware productions, and Fumito Ueda, particularly in the size of certain creatures. However, a notable comparison can be made between Tides of Annihilation and Stellar Blade. Beyond the game’s portrayal of a beautiful woman, it is the world construction and gameplay mechanics that draw parallels to Stellar Blade rather than other Souls-like games. While it is common for developers to incorporate elements from successful titles by FromSoftware, it is important to remember that Hidetaka Miyazaki did not create anything entirely new.
Tides of Annihilation also reminds me of Stellar Blade in its platforming phases, which were not even the game’s strong suit in the Korean original. However, Tides of Annihilation aims to create more dynamic and interesting transitions between game zones, such as a segment where Gwendolyn runs along deforming buildings, evoking scenes from films like Inception and Doctor Strange. The Chinese developers also wish to showcase their graphical capabilities through this grand spectacle and contemplative design. Another similarity to Stellar Blade is the presence of a mystical animal—a magical falcon that accompanies Gwendolyn constantly and with which she frequently communicates. It’s difficult not to draw parallels between this element and Eve’s drone from Stellar Blade.
‘MEURS, CHEVALIER!’
Regarding the combat system, Tides of Annihilation distinguishes itself from Stellar Blade and other Souls-like games by adopting a faster, more dynamic approach. There is no perfect parry or timing to master, but rather attacks are dodged through a dash system, acrobatic jumps, and elemental powers to maximize combos. In essence, it combines elements of Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden in execution, with an additional mechanic: the ability for Gwendolyn to summon the Knights of the Round Table as spectral figures. Each knight is distinguished by their physique, color, and most importantly, their elemental powers. This is evident in a sequence where Gwendolyn can summon multiple knights simultaneously for spectacular combos. There is the massive knight who causes chaos, the tank, the archer, the classic warrior with his piercing sword, and presumably, these characters can be further developed throughout the adventure. It is hard not to see similarities to Final Fantasy XVI and Valkyrie Elysium, where summons become versatile tools during combat and exploration, allowing Gwendolyn to call upon them for item retrieval.
Tides of Annihilation undoubtedly features compelling elements that position it as a potential next AAA title, particularly given its meticulous attention to aesthetics, staging, and auditory components including music and sound design. The game also boasts visually stunning characters that evoke imagination and a well-executed artistic direction that elevates the Arthurian legend within a post-apocalyptic London setting. These attributes provide ample reason to consider it among the most promising upcoming games. As of now, no release date has been announced, but the game will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, with an enhanced version for PS5 Pro.
