Tides of Tomorrow Preview
DigixArt crafted a fresh approach to storytelling with its non-linear, roguelike adventure Road 96. Innovative and tense, the experience lets you gradually uncover the lives of its fascinating characters as you attempt to escape Petria. Their latest project, Tides of Tomorrow, takes that unique storytelling philosophy in another direction, and after being hands-on for a few hours, it’s already shaping up to be something special.
Set in a world suffocated by the impact of plastic pollution, you control a Tidewalker, a human who can see visions of past events from others with the ability. Riddled with the Plastemia disease, you embark on an adventure through a dystopian world in search of Osen to slow the spread, and hopefully find a cure. Tides of Tomorrow instantly grips thanks to its strong cast of characters, who add real weight to its underdog premise. Governmental control is rife and civilians are fighting for survival, making it easy to form bonds with the cast and want to aid them in their trek to safety.
An Evolving Narrative
The core concept of the game is wonderfully unique. You start by selecting a previous Tidewalker’s journey, which becomes the basis of yours. As you progress, you are able to view the decisions they made and decide whether to follow the same path or create a new one. This allows you to learn from their mistakes as you can see the consequences of their actions, and change the story for your playthrough. This emphasises the level of choice in the game, making your runs feel personal.
Decisions made by others shape the world around you. In my time with the preview, conversations with a variety of NPCs often referenced the person who came before me. Using their name and claiming friendship granted me benefits, allowing me to progress in different ways. However, their choices can also carry consequences, making you more cautious about your own. This creates an evolving narrative that keeps the environment unpredictable. Conversations branch in numerous directions, and your selections can influence a range of outcomes. Not only do your actions shape your journey, but they also affect those who follow in your footsteps.
Because of the ramifications of your decisions, there’s an added sense of weight to every choice. I found myself continually pondering each moment, wondering what might happen as a result of my actions. It made me want to actively help others, selecting options that would support the peers following soon after. Combined with the need to adapt to the path ahead, it creates a compelling approach to storytelling that leaves me excited for its full release.
Working Separately, Together
You’re not tied to one person’s adventure throughout; instead, you leap between different paths. For example, I concluded one person’s story and moved on to another as I set sail for a new destination. This adds to the variety on offer, as each location adapts to the choices made prior to your arrival. Together, these elements create a world that feels alive, where the consequences of those before you are evident, shaping each step toward your final destination.
Although the game focuses on the plot, the gameplay is a serious upgrade from their previous releases. Stealth sections require you to avoid the gaze of guards, boat chases have you shooting the enemy while driving at full speed and I can only assume there’s more in the pipeline. While the story is the central pillar, the surrounding elements help to diversify the experience.
Similar to their previous games, Tides of Tomorrow harnesses their stylistic approach with its vibrant, cartoon-style design, which welcomes you into the world. Each character is well designed with a recognisable aesthetic and personality to match, making you quickly feel part of the world. Each area feels different, yet connected, building a larger world that requires your intervention to save. So far, the game seems to have nailed the unique premise and I can’t wait to play the game in its entirety when it launches in April.
Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.
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