A Plague Tale: Requiem Reviews
Hugo and Amicia's story remains just as compelling as it was in Innocence, but A Plague Tale: Requiem swings for the fences by offering more of almost everything that made its predecessor great. Some curious design choices dampen its impact a little, but overall, it's a great return for a duo that are fast becoming some of our favorites.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a fantastic stealth game with an intriguing story (once it finally gets going) that Xbox Game Pass subscribers and fans of the original really shouldn't miss. Requiem's gorgeous, yet bleak and harrowing world is a joy to explore, and thanks to expanded combat and additional options that allow you to approach stealth sections in whatever way you see fit, the gameplay really is a step up over Innocence. A few performance issues, some slightly underbaked characters, and a constantly whispering Amicia do detract from the experience, but overall, Asobo has created a fantastic sequel here that demands a playthrough.
Requiem is still a rough experience, especially for anyone who’s seen young loved ones fade away in the last few years, but it’s an allegorical experience that has value and power, especially in light of that. In the end, the eponymous requiem in question is a quite literal violent scream, giving way to sorrow, but ultimately acceptance and thanks for the time given.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a triumph of a sequel that ticks all the boxes fans will be expecting and then some. Not only does it look and feel great, but it backs up its eye candy and abundant atmosphere with an interesting narrative and a stalwart protagonist who won’t quit. It’s everything a follow-up should be and more from an IP that’s grown precious to players over the years, and a fine adventure that even newcomers will find value in tackling.
When A Plague Tale: Innocence was released in 2019, it quickly became my favorite game of the year. It was dark and emotional while combining puzzles and combat in a way that separated it from other games released at the time. Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found A Plague Tale: Requiem to be absolutely brilliant. It expands on and surpasses everything that the original did well. The only difference is the competition is a bit stiffer and it has to settle for my second favorite game of the year.
And so what? I’m not a huge fan of how bulky the environment feels at times, and the walking sections can become tiresome, but the truth is, Requiem had me engaged from start to finish. Sure, the game has its flaws, and it’s not a very malleable experience, but that doesn’t stop it from being a good time all the same. At its heart, A Plague Tale is a narrative-driven atmospheric experience. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
The graphics and atmosphere are a blast and let us overlook small weaknesses in story and gameplay.
Review in German | Read full review
A Plague Tale: Requiem is a fantastic game, expanding its framework in the right places through intricate themes and horror elements, weaving into what worked about the original while maintaining a voice of its own. It sometimes may feel a little too ambitious within the tight confines of its framework, but the emotional weight of its premise and story will keep players going to the end.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is just the game we were hopping for. We wished that Asobo Studio took more risks when designing the gameplay, but the overall result is pretty good.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
An impressive journey from a visual and narrative perspective that deserves to be experienced, especially by those who have already appreciated the series debut.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A Plague Tale Requiem is a real slap of poetry and beauty. A masterpiece in form and content.
Review in French | Read full review
Though pandemic fiction may seem like the last thing audiences need right now, the catharsis “Requiem” provides is a valuable salve. It reminds us that others, today and in the past, feel or have felt our same confusion, fear and grief.
A Plague Tale: Requiem improves on its predecessor with gorgeous visuals and more varied gameplay, but it struggles to balance its increased action and morally nuanced storytelling.
A Plague Tale Requiem is much the same as Innocence in terms of gameplay, but its character development and blood-soaked universe make it an absolute pleasure to play.
This is one of the best games of the year, and is well worth taking a look at whether one is an established fan or looking to dip their toes into a new franchise.
A new gem has appeared in the next-gen. Requiem is bigger and better than Innocence, even with a more mature narrative. And probably has the most realistic graphics ever seen on a console. A 2022 essential.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Siblings Amicia and Hugo went to hell and back in A Plague Tale: Innocence in their quest to survive an inquisition, endless hordes of rats, and the humans that looked to take advantage of the young boy's curse. And now, in A Plague Tale: Requiem, they must pay the devil his due. This is the tale of the duo wanting to control their own fate as the fragile peace they had found falls apart, and the harsh lesson that their choices have consequences. As a game, Requiem is a bigger, better, and more ambitious adventure over its predecessor, but as a story, and a look into the lives of the characters that inhabit it, it's so much more.
A massive step up from 2019's A Plague Tale: Innocence in every possible way! Expanding the world and characters without losing its' heart. A true shining light for single-player linear games, focusing on the narrative, something we don't often see anymore.