A new PS5 adventure is attracting acclaim for its novel concept: your world changes based on other players’ decisions.
In the upcoming Tides of Tomorrow, you’ll follow in the footsteps of real players, with their actions shaping everything from environments to character behaviour.
This is a really innovative use of asynchronous multiplayer; it means some characters may be hostile depending on the choices of those you’re following, or some environments may be damaged depending on how your predecessors behaved.
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You can pick random people from a list of players, or enter seeds to follow in the footsteps of friends or streamers. Throughout is the lingering concept of whatever you do having ramifications “For Those Who Come After”, like in last year’s Game of the Year Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Genius.
And reviews have been rolling in ahead of the game’s release on 24th April.
While the praise isn’t overwhelmingly positive on the PS5 so far, most critics agree that this is a compelling evaluation of conservationism – and the type of uniquely interactive story-telling that makes video games unique.
Here are some choice quotes from around the web:
Game Informer - 8/10
Tides of Tomorrow reminds me why video games are so uniquely suited to tell stories. Like a Tidewalker leaving gifts for subsequent followers, the game makes me optimistic for future projects that might follow in its footsteps.
Games Radar+ - 4/5
Tides of Tomorrow is a narrative adventure set in a gorgeous but deadly ocean beset by a plastic apocalypse. Filled with episodic adventures across each island, weighty story decisions are placed within those made by a community of players. At times, this makes it feel like a theme park ride with cast members – but a really good, well-crafted one. Unique, vibrant, and a genuine thrill, this is a stunning journey that'll stay with you.
Game Reactor - 8/10
DigixArt are good at telling compelling stories, and they do so again with this game; this time, they spice it all up with this 'asynchronous multiplayer' mechanic, which is certainly a nice gimmick - and which makes the game one of the freshest narrative adventure games we've seen in a long time.
PlayStation Universe - 6.5/10
Tides of Tomorrow boasts an interesting world, and has great foundational ideas, particularly with its approach to asynchronous multiplayer. However, it feels more inconsequential and disjointed than it should, and as a result doesn't fulfill its potential.
Tides of Tomorrow will launch on 24th April for $29.99/£24.99 on the PS5. If you’re still on the fence after these reviews, a demo is available to try right now.
Has this one caught your attention at all? Are you happy with the reviews? Let us know in the comments section below.