We’ve been given another good look at gameplay from Tides of Annihilation during November’s Xbox Partner Preview. The new trailer features an unedited boss fight, showcasing some of what the game has in store for action-adventure fans.
The fight gives me massive Stellar Blade meets eldritch fantasy vibes, while the use of summoned spectral knights to attack made me think of the metroidvania Ender Lilies. It’s a storm of dodges, parries, and flashy attacks; it’s the type of gameplay that demands your attention, and punishes any lapse of it.
I love the design of the boss, Tyronoe The Ferryman, and its multiple forms. The human-sized knight — attacking with direct weapon strikes — and the huge harpy-like beast, coming at you with sweeping aerial assaults and AOE magic attacks.
Tides of Annihilation’s use of glassy backdrops and mirrored pools as windows into other realms is visually spectacular; the boss sending attacks at you through the portals and shifting between them was eye-popping. And that final flaming meteor boss attack was as epic as it gets.
The game takes heavy inspiration from Arthurian legends; set in a twisted version of London, with protagonist Gwendolyn on the hunt for the holy grail, aided by spectral forms of the Knights of the Round Table.
READ MORE: Review | Dispatch: ‘Zero to Hero’ (PS5)
With thrilling combat, an intriguing fantasy setting, and a protagonist voiced by the excellent Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3, Expedition 33), Tides of Annihilation is ticking all the right boxes for me. Let’s hope the story is as good as the action!
Tides of Annihilation will release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
