IGN Plays: Tides of Tomorrow

The video introduces "Tides of Tomorrow," a new asynchronous multiplayer narrative adventure game from Digixart, creators of Road 96. The game features a "story link" mechanic where each player's experience is shaped by the choices of the player who came before them, and in turn, their own decisions affect future players. Players can choose to follow a similar path or create their own. The unpredictability of each run is highlighted, as players can link their story to a dev team member, a friend, a streamer, or a stranger. The presenter, Alan Knight, sets up a challenge for his friend Nick Limone within the game, implying he might not have made it easy for him. The game begins with Nick's character waking up, greeted by a woman who calls him a "miracle" and emphasizes his importance. He is told to rest on the upper deck. Nick notes that his character is suffering from a disease and expresses a desire to help the "good people of this world," explicitly excluding Alan. He then encounters a "ghost" or "vision of the past" – the last person the woman rescued, another "Tidewalker." The woman explains that Nick, like others, should have been destroyed by "Plastemia," a disease caused by plastic entering the brain, but he is a miracle. She has one bottle of Ozen left, a medicine to reduce Plastemia symptoms, which the previous Tidewalker asked her to keep for Nick. Nick, despite the woman's concern, takes the Ozen. He decides to role-play as himself in the game, implying he might engage in "dastardly deeds." Nick then enters the "tides of time" and interacts with the echoes of Alan's previous actions. He appreciates the game's art direction, noting the clear blue skies and waters juxtaposed with vibrant pinks and greens, despite the world being covered in trash. He explores, finding a lore item and a "phenomena." He sees a vision of the past, another Tidewalker, and the woman expresses regret for saving him. Nick learns more about Plastemia, confirming it's a byproduct of microplastics. He discovers that Alan accepted Ozen from the woman, leaving none for Nick. Nick expresses sarcastic relief that Alan is okay, while privately wishing he also had Ozen. Nick then explores, using a "right click" to see echoes of past players' actions. He observes a moving platform and activates a switch to cross. He encounters a guarded area, where he learns he needs an invite to enter. He claims he is with "Ayla," and is allowed in. Inside, he sees a character dancing and is prompted to emote, choosing "success." He notices another character who seems unwell, despite having Ozen, and comments on the "fume style things" in the area. He attempts to negotiate with a character named "Scrap" to get something, needing 24 scraps. He collects enough and gives it to Scrap, who then leaves with birds, taking the Ozen. Nick is frustrated, arguing that people need the Ozen and shouldn't be left to die. Scrap dismisses the "partying freaks" as almost dead anyway and orders the ship loaded, telling Nick to "find some ozen or you'll die." Nick decides to follow Alan's path. He encounters Ayla, who is also affected by Plastemia. He jokes about not wanting her to cough on him. Ayla mentions meeting another "weird" Tidewalker yesterday, which Nick attributes to Alan. He gains a "pro-mankind" trait. Ayla informs him that the Marauders received an Ozen delivery and leads him there. Nick finds a box specifically for Tidewalkers, noting that sharing items increases the "cooperative trait" but also offers a chance to take what's needed. He chooses to donate, aiming to "change the world one piece of scrap at a time." He then encounters Ayla again, who offers him a canister for some scrap, which Nick views as extortion. He agrees to the deal, but keeps his word about leaving the scrap for the next Tidewalker. He asks Ayla about Alan, learning only his name. Nick continues through a tunnel to "Market Land." He encounters a character who mistakes him for Alan, accusing him of having "nerve" and being "evil." Nick realizes Alan must have done something to this person. He finds out Alan pushed the guy into the water. Nick decides to negotiate with the character, using a subtle threat about the water. He then makes an incorrect choice and is pulled out of the water, his health getting low. He wonders if Alan struggled as much. He attempts to board a boat, missing a jump but hearing about "Market Land." He recognizes the importance of balancing his health with Ozen intake. The video ends with Nick's health critically low, suggesting he might die, and encourages viewers to play "Tides of Tomorrow" and impact other players' stories.