In a sea of dime a dozen cinematic adventure games that have punctuated the last decade, A Plague Tale has always felt like a series willing to push the envelope while still scratching that itch for fans of the action adventure genre.Â
It stood out for it’s dark, macabre story and setting, it’s impeccable visuals, and it’s memorable characters. So much so, that one of the second game’s side characters was so intriguing, they have negotiated their own spin-off.
In a prequel to all the rat physics brilliance that would follow, we step into the shoes of Sophia. A second-generation plunderer with a troubled childhood to say the least.
It’s an interesting splinter from Amicia’s tale, to be sure. However, it’s my job to figure out is this is a Cheers/Fraiser situation, or if we have a regrettable Friends/Joey situation on our hands.
Entering The Labyrinth
To paint you a picture, for all those who haven’t to this point dived headfirst into the Plague Tale series. Resonance is a standalone adventure where you take control of Sophia. A character who got a brief spotlight in A Plague Tale: Requiem.Â
This run-in with Amicia and Hugo largely focused on her life as a veteran smuggler. However, in this prequel, what you’re getting is a deeper look into how this second generation plunderer got her sea legs, along with some Greek mythology thrown in for a little spice.
After time spent in a convent as a child, subjected to grotesque experiments. Sophia is plagued with visions and nightmares tied to the Greek story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Visions that ultimately lead her, and her ragtag flock, to a remote island where these visions become a reality.
The story told in this prequel is a jarring left turn from that told in the other Plague Tale games. Both thematically, and in terms of gameplay. No longer are you a helpless, frail protagonist trying to get from A to B. You’re a seasoned combatant, and an adventurer to boot.Â
Which lends itself to this storyline which sees you take to the cursed island that was the death of your father. Where Sophia searches for answers, not only to her father’s demise. But also, to the visions and why she is intangibly linked to the famous Greek warrior of myth and legend.
It’s a much less dark and twisted tale compared to the mainline entries in the series. Admittedly, with some dark moments and a hint of the supernatural. But, don’t expect to be inundated with rats on this quest. However, the change of pace is largely a welcome one, and is competently handled from start to finish.
The characters are given ample time to endear themselves to the player, as narrative is delivered as you explore. The blend of modern day treasure-hunter antics and flashbacks to the peak of Greek society is handled smoothly. The voice acting is top-notch throughout to sell what’s on screen, and almost everything feels well-paced, never overstaying it’s welcome.
That said, it would be overstating it if I labelled the content of this story anything more than in the category of ‘a popcorn movie.’
It’s very digestible, enjoyable, and flashy. But ultimately, when the credits roll, you’ll likely remember the game for its gorgeous visuals rather than the story being told. I don’t have many complaints overall with the narrative, but I certainly don’t have much I want to gush over either.
Pristine Plundering
As mentioned, if I’m going to gush praise about anything, it’s going to be the way this game looks. I’ve always been quietly impressed with the way Asobo has gone about crafting their action adventure worlds. Usually nailing the setting, while also offering surreal set pieces, high-fidelity environments, and movie-esque cinematography to bring the action to life.
That much is true again in Resonance, as the game is one of, if not the most visually competent game you will play all year. From one chapter to the next, you are gifted gorgeous environments to explore, whether that be the winding streets of Venice, the gorgeous coastlines of the cursed island, or the Greek-inspired trials at the heart of everything.
No matter where you point the camera, you’ll almost always have a viewpoint that is screenshot-worthy, and that’s a testament to the artists behind Sophia’s tale. It’s a little cliché when speaking of linear action adventure games, but this game truly does toe the line between game and movie. But critically, not in a Senua’s Sacrifice sort of way where it’s barely a game at all.
However, despite all the good the game does, I do have to be honest and give all you keen Plague Tale fans the full picture. Playing on PS5 Pro, outside of performance mode, the game doesn’t run incredibly well.Â
With a game that looks this visually impressive, I always opt for quality over performance, because I want that eye-candy at every turn. But, doing this makes Resonance chug. Not to a criminally bad degree, as the game still manages to largely maintain a 30fps baseline. But when there’s a lot happening on screen, it can slow down significantly.
It’s a noticeable dip in quality that may be a dealbreaker for those that love the series for it’s graphical excellence above all else. To row back somewhat, the game still looks absolutely incredible in performance mode, and this shouldn’t deter you in the slightest, but, I know there are 60FPS purists out there that simply won’t be willing to stomach this, so you have been warned.
Uncharted: A Plague LegacyÂ
Gameplay has always been the aspect of Plague Tale games that I have wrestled with the most. In the past I have loved the more vast chapters that allow for free exploration and I have loved the puzzles on offer. But, I always had gripes with the combat and stealth above all else.
In Resonance, the gripes remain the same, but the reasoning has changed. You see, I was playing through each chapter of Resonance, engaging with the hack-and-slash combat, the treasure-hunting narrative, the light platforming elements, and the semi open level design. Which triggered the thought ‘this is a relatively competent Uncharted game. I thought they stopped making these’.
A little hyperbolic for comedic effect, sure. But it’s true that this side story has shifted away from the mainline game’s format that had a strong sense of self, to a setup that feels derivative of games like Uncharted, Assassin’s Creed, and modern God of War.
However, it has done this while also diluting the gameplay experience drastically. As the combat is no longer a stealth-intensive slog for survival. But instead a very paint by numbers block and parry affair.
Puzzles are also heavily affected, as not one of them serves as any sort of cerebral stimulation. As the mechanics that underpin each puzzle are so limited in scope, and the solutions might as well be written on the wall in front of you. Which, in some cases, they actually are. It’s as if the folks involved heard ‘This game need some light puzzle elements’ and took it a little too literally.
The game’s story is a popcorn movie, and this is popcorn gameplay. It plays to the lowest common denominator, with inoffensive, accessible mechanics that work well, serve their purpose, but ultimately don’t push the envelope at all.
Which leaves me with the same feeling that I usually feel for games of this nature. Especially those with this level of production value propping them up. It’s undeniable that this game achieves everything it sets out to do.
It tells a compelling story, beefs out existing characters while adding more interesting characters into the mix. It delivers Hollywood level cinematography combined with superb performances from all involved. Then, peppers in some of the most tried and tested mechanics of the last decade to appeal to the masses.
It’s the best version of itself it could possibly be. My issue with that, as it almost always is. Is that if the game were even a touch more ambitious with it’s systems, this could be right up there with the Sony-backed action adventures that define the genre.
A Mino-Tour Of The Island
Lastly, I need to address the level design within this more succinct iteration of A Plague Tale title. As it does some things well, and others rather poorly.Â
To put it bluntly, the game is at its best when it stays in its lane. What I mean by that is, linear action rather than open-design. Simply because when the levels open up, it rarely lends itself to anything other than an opportunity to litter some collectibles about.
In games of this ilk, these open levels have been an opportunity to scatter around some mini-quests, some involved and challenging puzzles, and ample opportunities for exposition. Which, ironically, was done superbly well in the level where Sophia, Hugo and Amicia came together in Requiem.
Here, it’s simply not worth the effort of exploring as there’s so little of substance for the player to engage with. Meaning you’d be better served simply following the main path through levels, which is for the most part, very well paced and engaging.
However, not always. Perhaps this comes from the fact that I recently reviewed Halo: Campaign Evolved, and had to endure The Library, but some chapters felt rather reminiscent here in Resonance. Offering areas that felt like recurring loops with minor puzzle alterations, and sequences in later chapters that felt derivative of those that came before.
All in all, I was a little letdown by the optional content, and the general chapter design, especially considering it’s always been a highlight for me within the series. It’s perhaps a consequence of this being a spin-off tale with less runtime. But, we can only call it like we see it, and this doesn’t quite reach the height of the mainline games.
Reviewed on PS5. Review code provided by the publisher.
Resonance: A Plague's Tale Legacy is a gorgeous game with a compelling, well-paced story. Sophia's backstory tangled in Greek mythology is handled with aplomb and the experience is akin to a Hollywood blockbuster at times. However, paint by numbers action-adventure mechanics, minor performance issues, and a lack of unique features and themes that made the mainline games great relegate this spin-off to 'good-not-great' status.
The Good
- Phenomenal Visuals & cinematography
- A compelling narrative & cast
- A tight, linear experience
The Bad
- Open segments lack substance
- Stutters outside of performance mode
- All mechanics feel very tired & basic
