Tides is a single-player indie adventure game presented as a live-action interactive crime thriller. Set along the coast of South Wales, the story begins with a severed hand washing ashore in a small seaside town. This discovery draws together the lives of troubled teenager Dylan, whose encounter at a local pub spirals out of control, and Officer Rebecca Powell, whose routine night shift escalates into a confrontation with an organised crime gang. The narrative unfolds through cinematic sequences filmed on location in Penarth, placing players directly into tense situations where decisions carry forward consequences.
Gameplay
Players navigate the story by making dialogue choices during conversations, reacting in quick time events during chases and confrontations, and managing relationships that shift based on prior actions. The experience blends filmed performances with interactive elements, requiring players to keep stories consistent under pressure, decide whom to trust, and respond in real time to escalating events. These mechanics create a personal involvement in the unfolding events, with each selection altering how characters perceive one another and opening or closing narrative routes.
Game Modes
Tides operates exclusively in single-player mode. There are no multiplayer components or separate game modes listed. The core loop revolves around progressing through a branching narrative structure, where repeated playthroughs reveal alternate paths and conclusions determined by accumulated choices across the story.
Story and Setting
The tale centres on the collision of personal struggles and criminal elements in a coastal Welsh community. A grisly discovery disrupts the quiet town, pulling Dylan into dangerous territory while thrusting Officer Powell into direct conflict with organised crime. The setting remains grounded in real locations around Penarth, lending authenticity to the live-action sequences that drive the interactive experience.
Key Features
The game emphasises meaningful dialogue options that influence character bonds and overall perception. Quick time events add tension to action moments, while the branching structure supports multiple endings. Relationships evolve dynamically, and the live-action format delivers performances created specifically for player interaction rather than passive viewing.
Is It Worth Playing?
Tides targets fans of choice-driven interactive stories who appreciate live-action presentation and branching narratives. Its focus on consequence and relationship management suits those interested in crime thrillers told through personal decisions rather than open-world exploration or combat systems. As an upcoming title with no released version yet, its value will depend on how the verified mechanics of dialogue, quick time events, and multiple endings perform once available on PC. Players seeking a contained, narrative-focused adventure without additional modes or ongoing seasons may find it aligns with their preferences once it launches.
