HobbyScope

Backlog BBQ: A Plague Tale: Innocence

I really cannot explain why it takes me so long to get around to playing good games. A Plague Tale: Innocence (APTI) has been on my list since it released in 2019. Despite immediately loving the aesthetic and story, I never watched much gameplay or really looked into the story. This was a game I wanted to play simply because it looked cool, and I was pleased to see APTI was well received. Despite all that, my gaming attention went to other games and hooks. It’s unfortunate I so thoroughly dive into multiplayer games, because despite them being infinitely frustrating, I want to keep getting better at them. Consequently, getting pulled into those gaming loops eats away the time I could be playing one of the many stellar single-player adventures calling to me from dusty shelves. In the case of APTI, the announcement of another game in the series, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, and frustrations from having to try too hard to make Battlefield 6 fun, motivated me to finally experience the game.

At the time of writing this, I am about eight hours in and still progressing through the story. Since the plague is present and the game takes place during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France, I did not expect a lot of warm fuzzies or moments to make me smile, and I have not been disappointed. APTI has been full of heavy, emotional events undergone by complex characters. Compounding this, the main characters are children, elevating the intensity and horror of what they are living through. Although the characters are children, the story progresses with intelligence and intensity such that I wonder how long I would be able to survive in that period. Traveling back in time to that period from now, I would definitely be toast; I am not going to scoff at modern comforts.

Supporting the solid story, APTI looks amazing. Every setting is lush and detailed, feeling appropriately ornate, gritty, or gruesome. The game perfectly captures how I would imagine medieval France. And despite the inherent darkness of the story, APTI injects beautiful color where appropriate. It creates a wonderfully immersive experience that makes me want to explore around every corner and examine every tapestry.

Even if APTI does not end as strong as it started, I still consider it a worthwhile play and will plan to check out its sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem. This is the type of single-player game that I appreciate with its approachability and respect for time. Every minute spent playing moves my experience forward. Let me know, have you played A Plague Tale: Innocence? What did you think? Are there other games in this vein you would recommend? Or, if you are thinking of trying this game yourself, hopefully my experience with it is enough to persuade you to jump in. Be warned though, if you cannot stand the sight of rats, maybe this game isn’t actually the one for you.