This can be taken literally, as the heroine has received a new face, sparking a flood of criticism on Steam.

Tides of Annihilation released a new 40-minute gameplay video, but an unexpected change is drawing more attention than the game’s spectacular combat scenes. Fans have noticed that the main character, Gwendolyn, has a face that looks noticeably different from how it appeared before, and some players are unhappy with the redesign. A recent thread on the game’s Steam page is simply titled “Face Model.” The player argues that the previous version of Gwendolyn’s face was far better and asks why the developers decided to change it. In another thread, the new version is described as a “downgrade in beauty,” with users claiming that the character no longer looks like she did in earlier footage.

The strongest reactions are coming from players who have already grown fond of Gwendolyn’s original appearance. Her facial features have been one of the most recognizable elements of Tides of Annihilation ever since the game was first unveiled. Previous trailers showcased a sharper, more realistic facial structure, which helped the character stand out. Interestingly, the facial change came shortly after another significant change involving Gwendolyn. Jennifer English, who originally voiced the main character, stepped down from the role in June due to personal health reasons. Eclipse Glow Games announced that English would continue to participate in the project as a consultant and help the team find her successor. The new voice actress is currently recording lines for the Gamescom demo.

Currently, Eclipse Glow Games has not indicated that the redesign of Gwendolyn’s face is related to the change in voice actors. The studio has not publicly explained why it changed Gwendolyn’s face in the latest version, which may be why the debate has become so heated. For now, it seems that the new face is more representative of the game’s latest version than a final, confirmed design. It will be interesting to see how Gwendolyn’s appearance evolves in future trailers and teasers. Tides of Annihilation is expected to be released in fall 2026 or early 2027.

Source: Tech4gamers