Tides Of Annihilation Already Reminds Me Of The Worst Parts Of Stellar Blade

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A lot of people are already very excited for Tides of Annihilation, which was revealed at last week’s PlayStation State of Play. Some of those people even write for top-mob.com – I saw several people saying in our Slack channels that it was a standout from the showcase, and our Editor-in-Chief Stacey Henley has written that, despite her reservations, the title is still the one she’s most excited for.

The action-packed game, distinctly different from soulslike games (thankfully), appears to draw inspiration from character action games such as Bayonetta, Astral Chain, and Devil May Cry. However, upon viewing the extended gameplay trailer shortly after the showcase, I found myself reminiscing about Stellar Blade instead.

British Blade? Stellar English?

It’s important to clarify that Tides of Annihilation is distinctly different from Stellar Blade, a game I found myself detaching from in just a few hours. While Stellar Blade leans more towards combat inspired by Souls games, Tides offers a unique brand of action that’s more dynamic, faster-paced, and packed with excitement. Given my personal preference for a different gaming style, this distinction is quite welcome.

The journey seems a bit more engaging, though slightly so. Stellar Blade garnered positive reviews, but players pointed out certain issues, particularly the platforming aspects which were monotonous enough to make me contemplate pulling my hair out. I have a feeling that Tides may possess similar platforming challenges – the new game’s environment instantly brought to mind the initial stages of Stellar Blade, featuring a damaged urban landscape teeming with unusual creatures and peculiarities designed specifically for the most rudimentary, tedious kind of platforming.

In my book, Tides earns a bit more appreciation for its exploration and jumping mechanics due to its innovative handling of gravity. The main character, Gwendolyn, even manages to jump off walls as the world seems to bend around her – quite an impressive trick. However, I’m not convinced it will bring much depth to the character’s movement or offer enough intrigue to make it seem like something more than a neat mechanical addition.

Tides Of Annihilation Just Looks Boring

However, there’s a certain resemblance to Stellar Blade in its aesthetic, yet not for the reason that it’s filled with women wearing short skirts. Tides actually appears less sexually charged compared to Stellar Blade. What’s more troubling is that it lacks depth beyond its fighting and action sequences, which might leave viewers feeling unengaged or unsatisfied overall.

I abandoned playing Stellar Blade primarily because it failed to hold my interest. To put it simply, the game lacked depth. I found Eve, the main character, dull and unengaging as she had minimal personality development. The narrative also seemed uninteresting and failed to captivate me, which is a common issue with games that are translated into English. This often leaves voice actors without compelling dialogue to deliver.

I share your sentiments about Tides thus far. Though Jennifer English delivers an impressive performance as Shadowheart, the character Gwendolyn appears dull, and the dialogue seems stiff and devoid of substance. It’s disappointing to see a lack of direction in voice acting for Tides, which feels like a missed opportunity. Let me remind you, I’m referring to Shadowheart, the beloved princess of the gods.

Similar to Black Myth: Wukong, another popular AAA game with Chinese roots, Tides retells myths – this time, it’s the Arthurian legend. I’m skeptical that it will offer anything new, and like Black Myth: Wukong, its atmosphere and action are what appear to be most appealing. Whether its narrative will disappoint is still uncertain, but based on what we’ve seen so far, I’m not hopeful.

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2025-02-17 21:06