A Plague Tale: Requiem Early Impressions

Release Date: October 18, 2022

Developer: Asobo Studio

Composer: Olivier Deriviere

Engine: Proprietary Engine

Publisher: Focus Entertainment

Series: A Plague Tale

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows

A Plague Tale: Requiem is the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence that released in 2019. A Plague Tale: Innocence, an Indie title that developed a large following due to it’s emotional, visceral adventure following Amicia and Hugo whom are brother and sister as they try to avoid plague rats in 1400th century France.

I managed to put in a few hours of a Plague Tale: Innocence years ago and what I played I thought was good. These games are designed around stealth and escorting Hugo to safety gameplay mechanics. Hugo is ten years younger than big sis Amicia. Just saying.

A Plague Tale: Requiem picks up after Innocence with Amicia’s mother Beatrice, alchemist Lucas together with Amicia and Hugo traveling to a castle to visit the Order of Alchemists. The alchemists are suppose to be able to cure Hugo’s affliction.

Story so far goes Hugo is inflicted with a dark magic curse called The Macula that’s eating away at his body and soul. The Macula has the power to control plague rats that kill anything from humans to livestock anything bio-organic. I am currently in the story where The Order’s Head Alchemist Vaudin says Hugo is “condemned” and can’t help him.

The story early on is really good. You have these brief respites of light happy family and friends playing enjoying life moments and dark moments. The story is starting to show Amicia’s darkside unraveling as Hugo’s protector which is interesting. A Plague Tale: Requiem’s story is an up and down emotional rollarcoaster. I just reached Chapter 4. I can see things getting wild later with these characters later on.

Gameplay-wise I managed to playthrough three full chapters of A Plague Tale: Requiem and have to say I’m loving it but also hate some of the early sections involving sneaking past or fighting mercenaries. I have the feeling the latter is just a side effect of playing through the first few chapters having Amicia be bare bones weapons and skills-wise.

Early stealth sections need some AI balance. I understand stealth gameplay. But I swear the mercenaries early on see and converge in the matter of seconds if they think they even see a hair on Amicia’s head behind cover. Stealth sections do have their own checkpoint and starting points thank god!

I’m at the point Amicia can use her sling, throw pots and use her hands to throw fire or saltpeter to create or put out fires. You can lure rats to kill soldiers starting in Chapter 3 by using saltpeter. Workbenches also unlock in Chapter 3. Gameplay encounters do make you think before you act. You can’t Metal Gear Solid stealth your way through A Plague Tale: Requiem early in.

Music, sound design and visuals are seriously top notch. I’m playing A Plague Tale: Requiem on my Xbox Series X for reference. A Plague Tale: Requiem is giving me that Uncharted big adventure vibe. Like, this game is beautiful and adventure is grand and fulfilling. The vistas are very gorgeous to look at in-game.

I think I will hold further impressions until the credits roll where then I will write a full review for A Plague Tale: Requiem. Just know this game is REALLY GOOD up to Chapter 4. Thanks for reading – Jason