A Plague Tale: Requiem

“The Final Hymn”

Introduction

A Plague Tale: Requiem is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Innocence released in 2019. Known for its captivating story and stunning visuals, the first part set a high bar with its realistic portrayal of swarms of rats. Requiem builds on this success with a bigger budget, improved features, and exclusive availability on current-gen consoles, allowing developers to unlock new possibilities.

Can You Play Requiem Without Playing Innocence?

The short answer is no. The second game is deeply connected to the first and requires knowledge of its story.

Story

(Warning: Minor spoilers for the first game ahead.) The story picks up a few months after the events of Innocence. The de Rune family has moved to a peaceful village, but Hugo’s mysterious illness, the Macula, returns with greater intensity. His only hope lies on an island he sees repeatedly in his dreams. Does the island hold the cure? The narrative introduces thrilling chases, intriguing characters like Arnaud the warrior and Sophia the sailor, and offers one of the year’s most gripping and dark storylines.

Gameplay

Amicia is more skilled and aggressive compared to the previous game. New weapons like the crossbow and tar projectiles add to the combat variety, alongside stealth tactics. Hugo also plays a bigger role in navigating tight spaces. The game includes adrenaline-pumping sequences like escaping floods of rats, which enhance the experience.

Visuals and Technical Aspects

The visuals are stunning, with updated character models, facial animations, and enhanced lighting. The game increases the maximum number of rats on screen from 5,000 to 300,000, creating a more intense atmosphere. However, the game runs at 2K resolution and 30 FPS on consoles, falling short of the 4K/60 FPS expectations. Even PC players face high system requirements.

Audio

The voice acting is solid, supported by facial motion capture for a more lifelike experience. While some syncing issues remain, the game improves significantly over its predecessor. The 3D audio and detailed sound effects, like the squeaking of rats, enhance the immersion. A high-quality headset is recommended for the best experience.

Conclusion

A Plague Tale: Requiem offers an unforgettable blend of storytelling, visuals, and audio, making it a standout title worth experiencing.

Final Rating: 8.5/10