Tides of Annihilationwas among the more memorable reveals of Sony’s most recent State of Play, standing out as a promising action-adventure from a new studio. While the game does look rather original and eccentric in its own unique ways, it may have struck some as reminiscent ofStellar Blade, one of last year’s biggest breakout hits.
Stellar Bladedidn’t top too many game of the year lists at the end of 2024, but it has all the makings of a long-lasting cult classic. While its story, open-world exploration, and gratuitous character design have all been on the receiving end of criticism, most players tend to agree that its flashy and frenetic combat is well worth the price of admission. Additionally, though its narrative can often come across as a neutered, flaccid take onNieR:Automata’s philosophical journey, there is nevertheless a certain charm to the overall product, as its music and art design come together to form a glossy, glamorous blockbuster adventure. It’s a bit early to know for certain, but it looks likeTides of Annihilationcould be hitting many of these same beats.
Tides of Annihilation Could Be a Solid Alternative Stellar Blade
Stellar Blade Is Flashy Sci-Fi; Tides of Annihilation Is Flashy Fantasy
Glam-pop and techno mingle inStellar Blade, reflecting its flavor and personality. The game does reach for some broader existential themes, and some may even feel that it has a strong grasp on them, but the star of the show is always its relentless sense of style. Of course, it helps thatStellar Blade’s combat sandbox is a blast to roll around in, foldingSekiro-inspired parry mechanics into a more traditional, abilities-based action-RPG framework, where ultra-powerful abilities on a cooldown always have the potential to turn the tide of battle.
While not much has beenrevealed aboutTides of Annihilationthus far, it’s not hard to see where it overlaps withStellar Blade. The gracefully frantic melee combat is one major commonality, asTides' protagonist appears to leverage speed, dodges, and explosive, acrobatic special abilities to the same degree asStellar Blade’s Eve. But there’s also its fantastical world: set in a mysterious alternate version of London,Tideswill explore Arthurian legend and mythology through its gameplay and narrative, presenting a twisted, eerily familiar rendition of the real world. This kind of uncanny reality is similar toStellar Blade’s, though with a decidedly distinct art style.
Tides of Annihilation Can Learn from Stellar Blades Successes and Failures
With any luck,Tides of Annihilation’s ostensible similarities withStellar Bladewill manifest in the form of great, crunchy melee combat and an impeccable atmosphere, as these are some of the latter’s greatest strengths. But perhapsTides of Annihilationcan offer an elevated experience compared toStellar Blade, whose character writing and world-building are unfortunately bland and derivative.Stellar Bladeis also bogged down by uninventive, chore-like open-world distractions, so it would be nice to see what a tangentially similar game could do with a more focused, bespoke construction.
There’s also the much-discussedsexualization ofStellar Blade’s protagonist, which can make it hard to take the game seriously. Hopefully,Tides of Annihilationwill show a bit more restraint with respect to its main character.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to tell exactly how much DNATides of Annihilationwill share withStellar Blade. They certainly seem cut from the same cloth, but that cloth encompasses a number of other games as well, likeFinal Fantasy 15,NieR, and Platinum Games' overwhelming oeuvre of action titles. But for now, it seems safe to say thatfans ofStellar Blademay want to keep an eye onTidesof Annihilation, as it may hit many of the same notes, as it were.
Tides of Annihilation
WHERE TO PLAY
London lies in ruin, torn apart by an abrupt invasion from another realm. As Gwendolyn, the city’s last surviving inhabitant, you will face off against otherworldly foes as she navigates a world where reality and fantasy intertwine, unravelling the mysteries binding this shattered existence.Unveil the Secret of Tides and Piece Together a Broken WorldA once-vibrant London has been torn asunder into an eerie reflection of itself—its buildings distorted, lifeforms transformed, and its history shrouded in shadow. Venture into this devastated world to uncover hidden truths and find a way to save your family, city, and the very fabric of reality itself.Harness the Power of Knights and Build Your OrderExperience a unique knightly combat system that allows you to command a band of over ten legendary knights. Inspired by Arthurian lore, each knight brings unique skills and abilities to your team. Combine their powers to craft your own battle strategies, unleashing awe-inspiring cooperative attacks. Forge a path to victory with your personalised Order of Knights.Encounter and Conquer Colossal KnightsTowering like mountains, the colossal knights roaming Greater London are more than mere setpieces—they are integral to your journey. Engage in epic battles against these mighty giants, scale their massive forms, and delve into their palatial depths and uncover the grand tales that define their existence.
