Tides of Tomorrow

Tides of Tomorrow is a wonderful game that brings a balance of fantastic branching dialogue and consequences of that dialogue, while also creating some meaningful and solid interactive gameplay that complements those dialogue choices. The game feels very well planned and executed.

Tides of Tomorrow is a “plasticpunk” adventure (as defined by its developers), in which the choices we make in this bizarre world are also shaped by the decisions of our predecessors. The core concept is very simple: after awakening from our underwater slumber, we must follow in the footsteps of another player and set off on an adventure in a quirky world filled with iconic characters and surreal traits. The Story-Link feature is probably what impressed us the most: every situation we encounter across the various islands has already been experienced by another player, and the story will also evolve based on what they did. It’s a concept that may seem complex at first glance, but in practice it proves to be very rewarding, creating situations that are interesting and sometimes even amusing. Tides of Tomorrow took us on a very unusual journey— not always perfect, but absolutely satisfying for anyone looking to enjoy an original story that can be replayed by making different karmic choices. It’s impossible not to notice the developers’ boldness in proposing something new, without excessively imitating ideas already seen in other productions.

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.

If the future's to be sustainable - let alone bright - we may need to reduce our reliance on single-use game design. [Issue#424, p.100]

Tides of Tomorrow introduces one of the most interesting gameplay mechanics in years, but it’s not without its flaws. The story lacks some depth, and the gameplay loop can become repetitive a bit too quickly. That being said, it still stands out as one of the more unique games out there and deserves credit for that. If you’re looking to try something different, this might be worth your time.

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.

A colourful and creative first person adventure, whose From-style asynchronous multiplayer, branching plot, and faltering stealth sequences are hamstrung by a very low budget.

This game is great, I have been physically forcing myself to stop playing. This game has a beautiful art style and characters easy to feel attached to. The game is around 10-15 hours of enjoyment from me, and I will be playing multiple play though to unlock everything.

I love the concept! It's so original. I was worried I’d need a 24/7 internet connection to play, but once I synced up with someone who had already finished the game, I don’t think it was really necessary. Plus, I read that it’s possible to play without an internet connection, and that the developers had created "fake saves" for players who didn’t have a good connection.I was worried that my story would be too influenced by other people’s choices and that I’d lose my ability to make my own decisions, but the game still managed to give me the chance to chart my own course. In the end, I felt like the ending I reached was the result of my own choices. I appreciate being able to take or leave the resources in the Tidewalkers’ **** music was very enjoyable, too. I don’t always notice it, but I remember the track that plays during my escape from the guards, the one with the mystics, and certain pieces that play when you get your boat back. This particularly colorful, “Waterworld”-esque planet was a real bonus. I was worried that the theme of pollution would lead to a depressing ending (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it’s just that spending hours on a game only to feel bad at the end isn’t really my thing, even if the story is good). In the end, my ending was a bit bittersweet, but still enjoyable—even poetic. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise for me. I recommend it.

Tides Of Tomorrow This game was very interesting from choosing who to follow at the start and do their journey to not always doing what they did and their chooses impacting you is so neat! I wish there was more to do more with the characters. Overall great game 8/10

Tides of Tomorrow is a bold narrative experience, creative and unlike anything else in the genre. It features a brilliant concept, choices that affect real players, and a stylish post-apocalyptic world. But it’s also uneven, with a story that sometimes feels more reactive than carefully constructed, and a consequence system that doesn’t always deliver on its promises. Even so, it’s a game worth experiencing for its originality and for the way it makes you think about the impact of your decisions… quite literally.

Au final, Tides of Tomorrow est exactement le genre de jeu qu’on retient plus pour ce qu’il tente que pour tout ce qu’il maîtrise. Et ce n’est pas une critique anodine. Dans un médium saturé de suites prudentes, d’open worlds standardisés et de systèmes recyclés, voir un jeu narratif chercher une nouvelle manière de faire résonner les choix entre les joueurs mérite déjà qu’on s’y ****. Tout n’est pas réussi avec un gameplay de base plus fonctionnel qu’exaltant. L’histoire, malgré son efficacité thématique, ne semble pas toujours atteindre la charge émotionnelle qu’elle vise. Mais l’idée centrale, elle, a du souffle. Et parfois, dans le jeu vidéo, une bonne idée vraiment bien incarnée vaut plus qu’une exécution impeccable sans âme. Tides of Tomorrow n’est peut-être pas le grand chef-d’œuvre narratif postapocalyptique que son concept pouvait laisser espérer. En revanche, c’est un jeu singulier, intelligent, pertinent, qui ose faire du lien entre joueurs autre chose qu’un simple argument de connectivité. Il y a dans ses meilleurs moments quelque chose de très juste sur l’héritage, sur le coût du confort, sur la transmission des dégâts et des gestes utiles. C’est intéressant en soi. Cela étant dit, je donne à Tides of Tomorrow la note de 7 sur 10.