A Plague Tale: Requiem

After playing Innocence and Requiem, this one is definitely worse in terms of mechanics. The story is great in both titles, although the continuity is a little lacking where Requiem seems to have forgotten the events of Innocence, especially Hugo's experiences controlling the rats. But what really annoyed me in Requiem is broken gameplay mechanics. Crossing an area covered by rats? No problem, light something on fire, follow it through the area. At the far side, try to mantle onto the next platform. Try again. Try again. Get eaten by rats. The key-press prompt is there, but pressing the key doesn't do anything. And the "sprint away from the rats while looking backward" is terrible.

The graphics, detail and audio are excellent. However, there are several elements that break the immersion and suspension of disbelief for me. 1. Amicia constantly rages about the soldiers, how they deserve to die, are evil bastards, etc., but then the next mopment she clutches her pearls and won't pick up a sword, axe, or spear to stab them. In a capricious twist, knives are fine, but can only be used once. WTF? 2. In the first Plague Tale, Hugo learns to control the rats and gains the ability to control them so expertly as to take out the game's arch villains. Then we are expected to believe he suddenly loses that ability and returns to random emotional outbursts that wipes out whole cities with rats? Not only that, but the rats even attack Amicia who Hugo loves and used the rats to protect in the first game. 3. If a possessed or infected monster was continually wiping out thousands of people (even if accidental), you can't expect us to believe no one would put an arrow in him in a hot second. Even Amicia would at some point out of mercy for Hugo and compassion for the public. 4. Clunky, almost QT style events that don't feel fluid. Amicia moves awkwardly and your actual ability to use the controls don't have much bearing. 5. Childish storyline with tons of holes and things that aren't believable. A. Lengthy quest to find the Order Master Alchemist who Amicia thinks will solve everything, but 2 minutes later she hates him and wants to change plans again. B. After wiping out tons of soldiers in the first game, Amicia is suddenly squeamish, then kills a few, then promises Lucas she won't, then gets his permnission again a few minutes later. WTF? Who wrote this and expects the audience to accept it? C. The game expect us to do things a specific way when there are much easier methods clearly visible right in front of us. Overall, the game appears to be written for children with no reasoning, skepticism, or common sense.

Best game of 2022 in terms of atmosphere and graphics, no doubt. Just make sure you don't expect a fast-paced wopen-world shooter, then everything will be fine. :)

Very intense game. Way darker than the first part. Great story. Great graphics. Get it!

pretty good