A Plague Tale: Innocence

As long as you set expectations, A Plague Tale is an immensely rewarding experience. The focus on the game is on storytelling; as such, it's very linear, stitched together with a variety of cinematic sequences. Just give yourself over to what the game intends to be, and you'll be drawn into a chilling, atmospheric drama set during the Black Plague. Basically, this game is a less scary, more open version of Resident Evil 7. It's linear like RE7, it's focused on a sequence of checkpoints you have to reach, and it even has a basic crafting system very similar to RE7. It's a complement to both games, really. While there is a lot to do, this is not a puzzle-based game; the story holds your hand every step of the way---all you have to do is execute. But the world-building and graphics are so crisp, the action so surprising, and the story so compelling that it's a pleasure to do each of the things asked of you. Plus, being able to play as a badass knight's daughter in the 1300s, where most of the game you havve to protect a young boy clinging to your waist, is a really cool twist on traditional mechanics and heros. It's refreshing to have a setup other than some muscular hero running around slaying everything in sight. Amicia is amazing; all the voice acting is good but the actress who plays her is especially empathetic. Overall, highly enjoyable. Especially for those who like collectathons, as there are a lot of items to find in this game, and several are very well hid. The achievements are satisfying, and some of the collectibles provide historical information that is educational and accurate. It does drain a lot of hard disk space, so make sure to clear a little room for it before you install.

It's linear and frustrating at times. Despite this, it is one of the best games that I have played in recent memory. Give it a try.

I loved this game up to a point close to the end, where there is a shift in player character and mechanic for the majority of remaining gameplay which for me, really didn't work and caused the emotional momentum it had built up to that point to just putter out. The ending felt quite abrupt and lacklustre for a few reasons, a big one being that, for such a scripted and linear little story, the antagonist ends up underdeveloped and underutilised, and the mystery at the heart of the story - Hugo's "affliction", the whole reason they're being pursued by the Inquisition - is kind of left on a bit of a bum note that didn't work with the grim historical/horror aspect it developed earlier on. It's a fantastic game despite this and I still enjoyed it immensely and will replay it. The artistic style is quite unique and very beautiful and the depictions of war-torn, plague-ridden French countryside are very memorable and quite gut-wrenching. The gameplay is pretty straightforward and I really enjoyed the stealth mechanics, especially in the early-mid chapters. There are a few thrilling escape and infiltration missions which alone justify giving this game a go if you enjoy that kind of thing. Overall, beautiful and extremely memorable despite some flaws (who knows, maybe I'll feel differently when I replay it), and well worth the money - especially on sale.

Third person game with sneaking as it’s main core, linear method of solving simple obstacles for defeating enemies and clearing path to survival. Plays really comfortable from the couch with no hardcore input needed, just need to be alert. Finished the game 100% in 17 hours and 30 minutes. PROS: -Art is giving the correct dark christian medieval setting astonishingly, damaged skins on faces, dirty clothes, pale gloomy mood atmosphere... amazing. -Rats are creating amazing twists in game mechanics and creeping up feeling. -Sneaking and hiding from enemies while distracting them in very well designed levels. -Dark medieval age setting by mixing it with war environment makes it truly chaotically good. -Story progressively becomes interesting by growing the main protagonists in their own way. -Crafting new projectiles or mixtures gives the game interesting mechanics to counter obstacles. NEUTRAL: -Combat is "keep your distance and kill" while solving enemy patterns, getting grabbed/shot/stabbed is death. BUT this is far more interesting than just a hack/slash game. -Characters are a bit simple, there is no deep conversation with them. BUT what they encounter are unexpectedly bloody good. -Achievement completion is not possible without watching walkthrough. BUT chapters can be played separately to get them easily afterwards. -Equipment upgrade was the most time consuming for me, because of the efficiency that's needed with the founded items. BUT the game can be beaten without upgrading fully. -Auto checkpoints, cannot save manually. BUT chapters are not that time consuming. -English voice acting has a french accent to it. BUT it's understandable, french indie developer. CONS: -Some levels/battles have to be solved in the one way the developers meant it to be, doing it wrong or not knowing what to do is not acceptable. -Replay value is slim, no new game plus with new experiences, instead you get 3 save slots in total, allowing to begin from scratch. -OST download?

A very enjoyable game. Approximately 15 hours of sneaking around, problem solving in medieval France. Loved the setting, loved the visuals, loved the storyline. I didn't pay full price, but considering what I paid for it - it was very good value. Definitely one to pick up when it is on offer.