The iconic rats are back, in a sequel that feels mostly like an extension of the first game’s plot and gameplay, albeit bigger, scarier and even more emotionally charged.
In much the same way that A Plague Tale: Innocence goes for that Last of Us movie-game drama feel, Requiem also favours the sparky sense of adventure of Uncharted, particularly in its mid-section. The game’s warmer moments and those of utter despair are better balanced, with each character given more defined emotions and inner conflicts, particularly the main heroes Amicia and Hugo. The writing of the characters has also improved: Hugo is somehow less annoying than before; there’s a real sense that the siblings are going through their own personal hell in finding peace amidst apocalyptic rat-riddled cities under control of imperial tyrants.
Innocence’s strengths are improved even further here. The puzzles of navigating hordes of rats manage to evoke similar feelings of dread and disgust while also being fun and constantly inventive - not only are they different enough from the first game, but adapt in interesting ways over the course of this one. The player is also given different possible methods of getting past rats and enemy soldiers alike, allowing a great deal of freedom, although some stealth sequences can be frustratingly tricky, leading to a simple rush through the map. Still, the level design is as beautiful as ever, encouraging the player to explore impressively vast stretches of land one minute, then struggle their way out of a nightmarishly endless cavern of those gooey rodent bastards the next.
Whilst the plot is engaging throughout, I’m unfortunately one of those people who found the ending, which I won’t spoil, to be underwhelming. The third act in general, while indeed fun to play, feels muddled and rushed in comparison to almost expert build up in the first two thirds. After hours of character development, the ending ultimately feels unjustified and… abrupt! Perhaps it’s the intention of the game to have that effect on the player, but I’d argue it doesn’t work in the same way as something like The Last of Us Part II.
That said, and it may not be too dissimilar from its predecessor and other games in its genre, but A Plague Tale: Requiem ranks as one of the most polished horror adventure titles in recent years, with moments both chilling and moving. It’s also quite an achievement to make something so incredibly bleak so fun and engaging to play.
In much the same way that A Plague Tale: Innocence goes for that Last of Us movie-game drama feel, Requiem also favours the sparky sense of adventure of Uncharted, particularly in its mid-section. The game’s warmer moments and those of utter despair are better balanced, with each character given more defined emotions and inner conflicts, particularly the main heroes Amicia and Hugo. The writing of the characters has also improved: Hugo is somehow less annoying than before; there’s a real sense that the siblings are going through their own personal hell in finding peace amidst apocalyptic rat-riddled cities under control of imperial tyrants.
Innocence’s strengths are improved even further here. The puzzles of navigating hordes of rats manage to evoke similar feelings of dread and disgust while also being fun and constantly inventive - not only are they different enough from the first game, but adapt in interesting ways over the course of this one. The player is also given different possible methods of getting past rats and enemy soldiers alike, allowing a great deal of freedom, although some stealth sequences can be frustratingly tricky, leading to a simple rush through the map. Still, the level design is as beautiful as ever, encouraging the player to explore impressively vast stretches of land one minute, then struggle their way out of a nightmarishly endless cavern of those gooey rodent bastards the next.
Whilst the plot is engaging throughout, I’m unfortunately one of those people who found the ending, which I won’t spoil, to be underwhelming. The third act in general, while indeed fun to play, feels muddled and rushed in comparison to almost expert build up in the first two thirds. After hours of character development, the ending ultimately feels unjustified and… abrupt! Perhaps it’s the intention of the game to have that effect on the player, but I’d argue it doesn’t work in the same way as something like The Last of Us Part II.
That said, and it may not be too dissimilar from its predecessor and other games in its genre, but A Plague Tale: Requiem ranks as one of the most polished horror adventure titles in recent years, with moments both chilling and moving. It’s also quite an achievement to make something so incredibly bleak so fun and engaging to play.