Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2022
I found the first A Plague Tale: Innocence an enjoyable and memorable experience, review here. So when the sequel, Requiem, popped up on Xbox GamePass I decided to jump in. Innocence left a premise for a larger story and the foundation of more gameplay depth to be explored in a potential sequel, Requiem takes this to heart but perhaps not as much as I hoped for when it comes to gameplay.
I found the first A Plague Tale: Innocence an enjoyable and memorable experience, review here. So when the sequel, Requiem, popped up on Xbox GamePass I decided to jump in. Innocence left a premise for a larger story and the foundation of more gameplay depth to be explored in a potential sequel, Requiem takes this to heart but perhaps not as much as I hoped for when it comes to gameplay.
Requiem kicks off where we left in Innocence, I’ll avoid story spoilers, but once again older sister and little brother Amicia and Hugo are pulled into the darkness of the black plague and its thousands of rats. While at the same time battling the brutality of soldiers trying to catch them. By their side is Lucas, the alchemist from the first game, with his logic and calm insights to problems.
Requiem continues the series tradition of depicting stunning natural environments and medieval towns. This time around the journey is much vaster, with a massive change in locations, heavier colour usage, diversity and atmosphere. It’s a visual treat, upping the visual bar from the first title.
I prefer higher framerate so I went with the 60fps mode, it's a bit blurry looking at 1080p, but there’s a fidelity option for those seeking a higher resolution. Albeit this is locked to 30 fps. Mostly the performance mode stays at 60fps, with some drops here and there in busy areas. It's not a fast paced title, so if you can tolerate 30fps perhaps go for the fidelity mode.
I genuinely enjoyed the countryside, forests, beaches and mountains to traverse, while at the same time fearing the dark, cold and horrific rat-infested areas. There's something unique this series does when it comes to depicting a soft and natural look to its environments, while also being able to go dark and dismal with it's world.
Gameplay has been tweaked with a more precise and faster feel to the slingshot, with new options of ammo to use too. At one point you even get your hands on a crossbow, albeit with extremely limited ammo. The focus is still mainly on stealth, although Requiem allows an aggressive approach to combat too. Be aware that killing enemies requires fast combat skill and will be remarked by your accompanying characters as brutal.
Talking about brutality, the depiction of the ruthless medieval world is another returning factor, with some shocking scenes and relentless actions by characters along the way. This, in turn, makes battling the enemies more engaging as you fear what will happen if you lose.
Attacks can come in shape of small bombs made from pots, filled with various powders, or merely used as distraction to lure away enemies. Personally, I don't have the patience for long stealth segments and end up attacking everyone. That said, even for stealth fans, playing area after area with stealth gets a little stale over time. With a far longer playthrough than the original, there’s a sense of some much needed depth and variation for gameplay.
I would've preferred the gameplay expanding further, maybe making the crossbow more versatile as an attack weapon or adding sword fighting. The main objective for the series is about avoiding conflict though, and Requiem opens for killing enemies as easier and viable option too, so it aids for both approaches.
Traversing rat-infested areas also return, with mechanical, puzzle-like, elements thrown in for the player to solve and progress. Again, I felt this was used once too much, where variation is mostly about the environments you travel through.
There are some welcome action segments this time around, helping to break up the pacing and give way for some entertaining scenes. Some of them really bring the tension up, making you feel the fear of trying to survive or escape.
The story and presentation are fantastic, there’s much more side areas to explore, allowing the atmosphere to sink in. Fans of the original will love this, overall it's a more memorable and unique experience with great variation on its locations this time around.
Like I mentioned, the gameplay is still simplistic and with lots of repetition of either stealth around soldiers or dispersing rats to progress. This is further pronounced when Requiem hits the 15–20-hour mark to complete, perhaps outstaying it’s welcome with a few hours to keep the pacing right.
Character personalities are great, both their design and personalities depicted, Alicia really grows from child to adult in this one, going from an over sensitive caretaker of Hugo to becoming a hardened and outspoken fighter. She's really put through her paces in the story. Other side characters like the bulky and war fatigued, knight Arnaund and the smart, life experienced, smuggler Sophia come to mind too.
Overall, a stronger and more unique looking title than the first, although it still shines through that the gameplay is a little simplistic compared to its size. Sure, for most it’s a title you play for the story and atmosphere, but a little more variation and progress in gameplay would have been nice.
I genuinely enjoyed the countryside, forests, beaches and mountains to traverse, while at the same time fearing the dark, cold and horrific rat-infested areas. There's something unique this series does when it comes to depicting a soft and natural look to its environments, while also being able to go dark and dismal with it's world.
Gameplay has been tweaked with a more precise and faster feel to the slingshot, with new options of ammo to use too. At one point you even get your hands on a crossbow, albeit with extremely limited ammo. The focus is still mainly on stealth, although Requiem allows an aggressive approach to combat too. Be aware that killing enemies requires fast combat skill and will be remarked by your accompanying characters as brutal.
Talking about brutality, the depiction of the ruthless medieval world is another returning factor, with some shocking scenes and relentless actions by characters along the way. This, in turn, makes battling the enemies more engaging as you fear what will happen if you lose.
Attacks can come in shape of small bombs made from pots, filled with various powders, or merely used as distraction to lure away enemies. Personally, I don't have the patience for long stealth segments and end up attacking everyone. That said, even for stealth fans, playing area after area with stealth gets a little stale over time. With a far longer playthrough than the original, there’s a sense of some much needed depth and variation for gameplay.
I would've preferred the gameplay expanding further, maybe making the crossbow more versatile as an attack weapon or adding sword fighting. The main objective for the series is about avoiding conflict though, and Requiem opens for killing enemies as easier and viable option too, so it aids for both approaches.
Traversing rat-infested areas also return, with mechanical, puzzle-like, elements thrown in for the player to solve and progress. Again, I felt this was used once too much, where variation is mostly about the environments you travel through.
There are some welcome action segments this time around, helping to break up the pacing and give way for some entertaining scenes. Some of them really bring the tension up, making you feel the fear of trying to survive or escape.
The story and presentation are fantastic, there’s much more side areas to explore, allowing the atmosphere to sink in. Fans of the original will love this, overall it's a more memorable and unique experience with great variation on its locations this time around.
Like I mentioned, the gameplay is still simplistic and with lots of repetition of either stealth around soldiers or dispersing rats to progress. This is further pronounced when Requiem hits the 15–20-hour mark to complete, perhaps outstaying it’s welcome with a few hours to keep the pacing right.
Character personalities are great, both their design and personalities depicted, Alicia really grows from child to adult in this one, going from an over sensitive caretaker of Hugo to becoming a hardened and outspoken fighter. She's really put through her paces in the story. Other side characters like the bulky and war fatigued, knight Arnaund and the smart, life experienced, smuggler Sophia come to mind too.
Overall, a stronger and more unique looking title than the first, although it still shines through that the gameplay is a little simplistic compared to its size. Sure, for most it’s a title you play for the story and atmosphere, but a little more variation and progress in gameplay would have been nice.
Once again I feel it shares a lot of similarities to The Last of Us, especially in its harshness towards its characters and what they experience. If you enjoyed the previous Plague Tale and love a great story to sink into, this is an excellent and larger sequel.
