A Plague Tale: Innocence

[h2]A Masterpiece & An Emotional Rollercoaster[/h2] [h3]Rating: 10/10[/h3] A Plague Tale: Innocence is a gut-wrenching, beautifully crafted experience that manages to be both deeply personal and terrifyingly epic. It is a game that succeeds on every front: narrative, visual design, sound, and pacing. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3700321295 At its core, this isn't really a game about the plague or the rats; it’s about a sister protecting her brother in a world that wants to tear them apart. It has one of the most compelling sibling arcs in gaming history. The writing is tight, the stakes are always high, and the emotional payoff is earned in every single chapter. The interplay between the blinding radiance of torches and the absolute, crushing darkness of the rat swarms is not just a gameplay loop; it’s a masterclass in composition. The game looks like a painting come to life, utilizing a gritty, period-accurate palette that makes 14th-century France feel hauntingly real. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3703085329 Technologically, the way the game renders thousands of rats in a single frame without losing performance is a feat of engineering. They aren't just an obstacle; they are a character in the game, a tide of fur and teeth that feels like a natural disaster. The game is a linear experience where every scene advances the character development or the plot. The music/playlist is a chef's kiss. [h3]What's not good[/h3] I encountered two bugs: One, when following someone [no spoilers] out of a tent, there is a virtual wall, so you cannot exit the tent. You are basically stuck there. This wall disappears after toggling vsync in settings. It was super annoying that this bug still exists. Secondly, the curiosity achievement is bugged, and you need to restart the game after collecting all. [h3]Time?[/h3] The story is between 11 and 20 hours, depending on your pace. It took me 25 hours to 100%. There are missable achievements in every chapter, but you have a chapter select and skip cutscenes feature. Achievements are on point, and I did not find any to be out of place. Pretty perfect. [h3]Final Verdict[/h3] A Plague Tale: Innocence manages to be both horrific and breathtakingly gorgeous. It has perfect pacing, impeccable atmosphere, and a story that sticks to your ribs. This is how you do linear narrative gaming: A perfect 10/10. Must play! Make sure your room lights are off, and the sound is good enough for a superior experience! [i]Leave a Like if you found this review useful[/i] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3736298619

8.5/10 - a rare stealth puzzle-adventure story rich game that continues to wow 7 years after release. Reminds me of a blend of The Last of Us and Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice. Haunting and fitting soundtrack (particularly "Father" and "Beyond the Horizon"), emotional story, impressive cinematic visuals, unique setting (France 1348 Black Death), interesting game mechanic (rat physics and models), and memorable characters (the growth and forging of the bond between Amicia and her little brother Hugo). It is important to know beforehand that the navigation is linear, stealth/combat on the simpler side, some chapters move slowly, and AI is a bit befuddling at times (I moved a light away from you and you didn't notice etc). These could be potential turn offs for those expecting more or something realistic. For achievement hunters, this is one of the easier completions (3/10 difficulty and 15-20 hours completion). There are collectibles and various missables to be mindful of. Fully equipping the sling/equipment will require you to be thorough in exploring the level for materials and only crafting ammunition when you absolutely need.