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”This world hurts, and it keeps hurting..”


This review contains no major spoilers.

Overview



A Plague Tale: Requiem is the long-awaited and critically acclaimed sequel to Innocence, originally launched in 2019 by Asobo Studio, a game which would eventually lead to an increase in popularity and recognition of the studio itself. Delivering an outstanding narrative with unexpected plot twists, it definitely is a precious, yet underrated gem, victim of being overshadowed by bigger titles released on the same year.

Index



▲ = Positive
▼ = Negative
▲▼ = Neutral
⚡ Technical Issues ▼ ⚙️ PC Specs - Frame rate drops in levels with thousands of rats
- Rare crashes if VSync is set at 25% refresh rate
- i7-10750H
- RTX 2060 Max-Q 6GB
- 16GB RAM
- 512GBs NVMe SSD
- 1TB SAMSUNG 870 QVO SSD
- 1TB External SSD
- 144Hz 1080p Display
Visuals ▲


With Requiem, it was the first time in a long while that I felt literally blown away by the impressive visuals it has to offer. It is also the first PC game of the last couple of years of those I’ve played which made me think “Oh, so this is it. This is what next-gen looks like”. The truth is, I didn’t even play the game at max settings, because unfortunately my limited hardware doesn’t allow me to, but even at medium-high settings it manages to look absolutely stunning in every frame, with unprecedented levels of details in every single object in the world. Whether it’s the character models, the environments, or the gorgeous lighting, everything looks like a work of the finest art. Bravo!
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2882612152
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2882614809
Story ▲


The story of A Plague Tale: Requiem begins a few months after the end of Innocence. Amicia and Hugo are living a relatively happy life, going outdoors and playing in nature together with Lucas. One day the two brothers decide to explore a supposedly abandoned castle after Lucas leaves their group to do some commissions. What initially starts as a fun quest driven by curiosity, leads to a dramatic event, causing the Macula to awaken. Amicia, Hugo, Lucas and Beatrice find themselves forced to travel again, looking for representatives of a group called The Order who may help Hugo as suffers from the physical and psychological repercussions of the Macula. However, things don't quite go as planned, since everything they try seems not to work. What will be of Hugo’s fate? How far can Amicia go to save her little brother?
The story of Requiem is about perseverance, love, loss, grief, anger, and the consequences of living in a dark and cruel world, where people lie, betray, and only few can be trusted. Hugo is a kid who always tries to be positive, hopeful and find the light in all people. As he learns more about the harsh reality of the world and how reckless some people can be, something changes in him. His innocence begins to break… and his illness to expand. Amicia, on the other hand, is a girl who’s full of love and affection for Hugo. Long time has passed since the first time she met her brother, and over the course of their journey their bond grew stronger and deeper. She is determined to do whatever it takes to save his life, even if it means taking her own decisions and ignoring her family’s advices. Despite the horrors of the world they live in, she carries forward in pursuing the one goal that keeps her alive.
Amicia and Hugo will meet other formidable characters on their journey, and will help each other in their struggles to reach common goals, albeit with some internal conflicts. If you think Vitalis was a terrible and disgusting character, don't worry, because the villains of Requiem are surely as unpleasant, if not more, as the Inquisition of the first chapter.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2926038277
Gameplay ▲


The fundamental basis to have the right appreciation for a product like Requiem, created by a moderate size, indie-like studio, is not to have excessive demands. If you were expecting a radical change, you are off to a bad start. To me the gameplay of Requiem falls into the definition of "revised and corrected". In fact, taking inspiration from other games like The Last of Us Part II, they tried their best to remove what didn't work in Innocence, leave everything that did and expand on it exponentially. The game levels are much wider, and this allows for situations to be much more dynamic, encounters to be always different and never repetitive, and the player to think of the best way to complete a level by balancing their resources to the maximum. Unlike its predecessor, in Requiem it is possible to hide under certain objects, such as tables, pass through narrow walls, use a crossbow and a knife... allowing stealth play to be much more fun and less annoying. Furthermore, the alchemical arsenal available is greater and much more efficient, not to mention that some weapons react with the environment, like burning tall grass where a group of enemies is located. Basic rocks are unlimited to ensure that you could always hit enemies and distract them for a few seconds, just enough to hide and try another strategy. This is especially useful in case of low available resources. In essence, both stealth and action phases have been significantly improved.
Like in "Innocence", there are workbenches to improve your equipment. During the game you will periodically get Talents that are automatically activated upon unlocking, and they enhance Amicia's passive skills, such as the possibility of being quieter when she walks crouched. The AI of the characters has also been revised and, although not perfect, it makes the enemies more intelligent compared to the first chapter of the franchise. In general, if you are not expecting a masterpiece, you will still be very surprised by the amount of improvements featured in this sequel.
Soundtrack ▲


I’ve always appreciated Olivier Deriviere’s talent in the making of soundtracks and I was even more impressed this time. On your first boot you will be already welcomed by one of the greatest main menu music I’ve ever listened to. Its beauty then continues ingame, with the OST seamlessly transitioning between gameplay and cutscenes in an almost perfect way. Reflecting the game’s narrative, the music in Requiem is much darker than in Innocence, and even in those sections where more peaceful moments are permitted, the melodies used indicate that Amicia is still afraid of the future and reminiscent of her trauma.

Rating: Amazing



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A Plague Tale: Requiem is one of the most impactful sequels ever made, and my favourite game of 2022. It builds on the foundations of its predecessor, improves and expands every possible aspect. While not being that different from Innocence in terms of its gameplay loop, its heartbreaking, dark yet strong storytelling and unique bonding moments between the two siblings are something I won’t ever forget. It also features an outstanding visual fidelity and carefully crafted environments and interiors, as well as a magnificent soundtrack.
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