Getting Started

This guide covers what new players should know about Tides of Annihilation based on pre-release information. The game has not launched yet, so this page covers confirmed features and what to expect. It will be updated with gameplay tips after release.

What Kind of Game is This?

• A fantasy hack-and-slash action-adventure built on Unreal Engine 5

• Combat inspired by Devil May Cry, not Dark Souls, with selectable difficulty

• Set in shattered London and mythical Avalon

• Heavy Arthurian mythology throughout the story and characters

• About 30+ hours of gameplay

Core Concepts

1. The Dual Frontline Battle System is the central mechanic: summoning and fighting alongside spectral knights

2. Spectral Knights are ghostly versions of the Knights of the Round Table with unique combat styles and elements

3. Gwendolyn is the protagonist, and her companion Niniane transforms into her sword

4. Colossal Knights are massive entities you climb and explore, leading to boss fights

5. The demi-gods of Avalon are the primary antagonists behind London's destruction

Combat expectations

If you have played Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, or similar character action games, the combat pace will feel familiar. Expect:

• Fast combos with light and heavy attacks

• Real-time knight summoning woven into combo chains

• Elemental system (lightning, fire, ice) applied through spectral knights

• Aerial combat and juggles

• Multiple difficulty settings, so you can tune the challenge to your preference

Armor is Cosmetic

An important distinction: collectible armor in Tides of Annihilation has no stat bonuses. Armor is purely cosmetic. Progression is skill-based rather than gear-dependent. This means a player in starting gear and a player in endgame armor have the same combat stats. The difference is player ability and which Spectral Knights they have unlocked.

Platforms

PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Epic). The PS5 Pro version supports higher resolution, ray tracing, and 60fps via PSSR. The PC version supports NVIDIA DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation.

First Steps

The opening of the campaign teaches the basics: how to swing the sword, how to call a single spectral knight into the fight, and how to enter a Partnered State. New players should expect the early hours to function as a layered tutorial. The full Dual Frontline Battle System unlocks gradually as knights are recruited, so the four-knight, two-pair loadout is not available immediately.

Combat Fundamentals

Exploration

The world is laid out as a series of interconnected zones across London and Avalon, rather than a single open-world map. Verticality matters: Colossal Knights offer climbable surfaces, and rooftop traversal is part of the city layout. Side content includes hunting for Grail Shards that drive both the story and the long-tail rewards.

Building A Knight Loadout

Two pairs of knights, four total, fit into one fight. A reasonable starter loadout pairs a melee knight with a ranged knight in each set, so the player always has answers to both close-range pressure and distant threats. As the roster expands past the initial pair, mixing elements becomes important; some enemies and barriers respond better to specific imbues.

Progression Tips

• Armor is cosmetic. There is no incentive to grind for "stronger" gear; collect the looks you want.

• Practice weapon swapping early. The four-weapon roster rewards quick context shifts.

• Try every spectral knight at least once. Each Partnered State plays differently.

• Pay attention to enemy tells. Some heavy enemy attacks are parryable only through Partnered State.

• Difficulty is selectable. Lowering it does not gate any content or rewards.