A Plague Tale: Requiem

The story of A Plague Tale: Requiem received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many praised the emotional and gripping narrative, highlighting its ability to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of tension and despair. Critics such as TrueAchievements and GameSpot commended the well-written and performed story, with GameSpot specifically mentioning the authentic portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks. The exploration of themes such as family, survival, and the cost of survival in a cruel world was also highly regarded by critics like But Why Tho?? and PlayStation LifeStyle. The continuation of the bond between the siblings, Amicia and Hugo, was a standout element, with Stevivor mentioning the evolving relationship as a highlight of the story. However, there were some criticisms regarding the story of A Plague Tale: Requiem. Gfinity felt that the pacing and bloat of the story struggled, and the ending did not match the climax of the first game. The Jimquisition criticized the arcing narrative involving ancient conspiracies and magical phenomenon, feeling that it detracted from the exploration of violence and its impact on the characters. XGN and VGC both mentioned that the story was broken up too often by needless and frustrating action, which hindered the overall narrative experience. Additionally, PC Games felt that the introduction of a subplot about the protagonist's mental state was poorly executed. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the story of A Plague Tale: Requiem is a compelling and emotionally engaging narrative. It effectively conveys the characters' feelings to the player and explores themes of survival, family, and the harsh realities of the world. The well-written dialogue, strong character development, and intense dramatic moments were often praised. While there were some criticisms regarding pacing, bloat, and certain narrative elements, the majority of critics found the story to be a significant strength of the game. The positive reception from critics such as GAMES.CH, Game Informer, and Pure Nintendo further supports the overall consensus of the story being very good.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of A Plague Tale: Requiem are varied, with both positive and negative aspects being highlighted. Several critics praise the stealth mechanics and the emphasis on sneaking and hiding from enemies. They appreciate the tension and fear that comes with being detected by enemies or devoured by rats, as mentioned by Gameblog.fr and Inverse. The inclusion of new tools and abilities, such as the crossbow and the ability to command rats, adds depth and variety to the gameplay, as noted by Cultured Vultures and TheXboxHub. The larger environments and multiple paths offered in the game allow for experimentation and replayability, as highlighted by New Game Network and Gamer.no. The gameplay is also commended for its solid stealth mechanics, puzzle-solving elements, and level design, rewarding different playstyles, according to Hardcore Gamer. However, there are also some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. Some reviewers mention that the stealth sections can become repetitive and tedious, as stated by GameSpew and GameWatcher. The combat encounters are criticized for not being as enjoyable as the stealth and puzzle-solving elements, as noted by IGN and God is a Geek. The emphasis on combat and the necessity of killing can be frustrating and overwhelming, making it difficult to progress without resorting to violence, as mentioned by TheGamer. The repetitiveness and lack of variety in dealing with scenarios are also mentioned as drawbacks by Xbox Achievements and Checkpoint Gaming. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of A Plague Tale: Requiem offers a mix of stealth, puzzle-solving, and combat, with a focus on sneaking and hiding from enemies. The inclusion of new tools, abilities, and mechanics adds depth and variety to the gameplay, allowing for different playstyles and approaches. The tension and fear of being detected by enemies or devoured by rats are praised, as well as the solid stealth mechanics and level design. However, some critics feel that the stealth sections can become repetitive and tedious, and the combat encounters are not as enjoyable. Despite these drawbacks, the gameplay is generally seen as engaging, immersive, and offering a balanced challenge, with a surprising amount of choice and multiple paths to explore.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of A Plague Tale: Requiem, considering them to be very good. Many critics highlighted the stunning and immersive visuals, with detailed environments, breathtaking vistas, and impressive art direction. The game's visuals were described as both beautiful and disturbing, capturing the apocalyptic setting and creating a world that is visually striking. The depiction of the ruined cities, sun-drenched meadows, and southern France was particularly praised for its accuracy and attention to detail. Critics such as God is a Geek, Dexerto, and The Jimquisition specifically mentioned the beauty of the environments and the improvement compared to the previous game. The graphics were also commended for their level of detail, with impressive character animations, realistic hair and clothing, and photorealistic lighting effects. The depiction of the swarm of rats was a standout feature, with critics like Dexerto and GameSkinny praising the impressive motion and the integration of the rats into the gameplay and story. The visuals were also considered to contribute to the immersive atmosphere of the game, enhancing the overall experience for players (IGN, Stevivor). However, there were some criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of A Plague Tale: Requiem. Some critics mentioned occasional graphical errors, frame rate drops, and demanding hardware requirements. Gfinity and PlayStation Universe specifically mentioned frame rate issues, while Movies Games and Tech and Ragequit.gr pointed out occasional graphical errors and frame rate drops. Dexerto mentioned the lack of detail on characters and textures, as well as some scenes lacking emotion due to the lack of sharpness. PCGamesN and TheSixthAxis mentioned the presence of visual bugs and bugs in the puzzles, respectively. While these criticisms were mentioned, it is important to note that they were not as prevalent as the positive opinions regarding the graphics. Overall, the general consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of A Plague Tale: Requiem are very good. The majority of the critics praised the game's stunning visuals, immersive atmosphere, and attention to detail. The graphics were considered to be on par with or even surpassing some of this year's biggest releases. The visuals were commended for their beauty, realism, and ability to capture the tone and setting of the game. The integration of the swarm of rats into the visuals and gameplay was particularly praised. While there were some criticisms regarding occasional graphical errors and frame rate drops, these issues did not detract significantly from the overall positive reception of the graphics and visual design. Overall, A Plague Tale: Requiem was praised for its impressive graphics and visual design, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience for players (XboxEra, PlayStation Country, TrueAchievements, Game Rant).

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of A Plague Tale: Requiem are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the composed tracks and successful sound design that enhance the overall experience of the game (Attack of the Fanboy). They highlighted the excellent voice acting, moving score, and soundtrack that adds to the emotional impact (But Why Tho??, CGMagazine). The game's soundtrack was described as incredibly realized, effectively communicating both lighthearted and somber moments (CGMagazine). Stellar voice acting, effective whispers during stealth, and a beautiful and understated musical score were also mentioned (COGconnected). The sound design and music were highly realistic and deeply affecting, with dynamically adaptive scores and authentic sound effects contributing to the immersive experience (Destructoid). The music was considered incredible and a critical component in elevating fear and tension, with haunting strings conveying anxiety and appropriate scoring for moments of levity (Easy Allies). While the majority of critics praised the sound design and music, there were a few negative opinions. One critic mentioned that the English voice acting felt stiff (Gfinity). Another critic found the music to be unremarkable (Gfinity). Additionally, there were some criticisms regarding the constant talking by the protagonist, which disrupted the haunting atmosphere (TrueAchievements). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the sound design and music of A Plague Tale: Requiem are very good. The composed tracks, successful sound design, and immersive soundtrack were highly praised by multiple critics (Hardcore Gamer, PlayStation Universe, Movies Games and Tech). The voice acting was considered stellar and enhanced the emotional impact of the game's moments (Game Rant, Checkpoint Gaming). The sound design effectively conveyed the horror atmosphere, with immersive haptic feedback on the PS5 DualSense controller (Push Square). Olivier Deriviere's striking score was commended for complementing the visuals perfectly and adding to key moments with religious fervor (GamesRadar++). The majority of critics were impressed with the sound design and music, emphasizing their positive impact on the overall experience of A Plague Tale: Requiem.

The voice acting in A Plague Tale: Requiem has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the performances of the voice actors, with particular emphasis on the main protagonist, Amicia, portrayed by Charlotte McBurney. Attack of the Fanboy describes the voice acting as "incredible" and But Why Tho?? states that it is "fantastic" and adds to the emotional impact of the game. Destructoid goes as far as to call the French voice track "stunning and nigh-on flawless," with passionate and convincing performances from the entire cast. The gravity and harrowing nature of the performances from Léopoldine Serre and Cécile Gatto, who voice Amicia and Hugo respectively, are also highlighted by GAMINGbible. TheGamer praises the heart-wrenchingly believable performances of Charlotte McBurney and Robyn Wolf, who deliver a fantastic job in both voice acting and motion capture for Amicia's character. While the majority of critics praised the voice acting in A Plague Tale: Requiem, there were a few minor criticisms. COGconnected mentions that the dialogue occasionally slips into an oddly modern idiom, which could potentially break immersion for some players. PlayStation Country notes that the English voice acting can sometimes make the French kids sound like posh English kids, and Hugo's character can occasionally get on the nerves of players. Screen Rant mentions that the choice to remove French accents from the English voicework may feel jarring for some players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in A Plague Tale: Requiem is of high quality and greatly enhances the overall experience of the game. The performances are praised for their emotional impact, believability, and the depth they bring to the characters. The exemplary acting skills of Charlotte McBurney, along with the strong performances from the supporting cast, are frequently highlighted. The voice acting is described as superb, top-notch, stellar, and spectacular by various critics such as Gaming Nexus, Twinfinite, Xbox Tavern, and Movies Games and Tech. The positive sentiment expressed by the majority of critics indicates that the voice acting in A Plague Tale: Requiem is a standout aspect of the game and contributes significantly to its overall success.

In terms of the technical performance on the PlayStation 5, the opinions of the critics are mixed. Some reviewers, such as Attack of the Fanboy and The Independent, praised the technical aspects of the game, including hair physics, lighting, and haptic feedback on the DualSense controller. They found the game to be visually impressive and executed its detailed visuals without noticeable drops in performance. However, other critics, like COGconnected and PlayStation Universe, mentioned issues such as occasional frame rate drops, frustrating camera and movement issues, texture pop-in, and occasional crashes. These technical issues were seen as distracting and could impact the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the majority of critics did not consider the technical performance on the PlayStation 5 to be a major concern, with reviewers like Areajugones and Game Rant stating that occasional performance issues were mentioned but not considered significant. On the Xbox Series X, the technical performance of A Plague Tale: Requiem received mixed reviews as well. Some critics, such as XboxAddict and TheXboxHub, did not mention any significant technical issues or glitches, suggesting a relatively smooth experience on the console. However, other reviewers, like Checkpoint Gaming and TrueAchievements, mentioned occasional glitches, subpar checkpointing, frame rate dips, and instances of jank, such as rats appearing in unexpected places and animation issues. These technical issues were seen as frustrating and could impact the overall enjoyment of the game. Dexerto also mentioned long loading times on the PC version, which negatively impacted immersion. Despite these concerns, some critics, like Pure Xbox and New Game Network, found the game to run well on the Xbox Series X, with only minor visual issues on some character faces. Overall, the technical performance on the Xbox Series X was seen as a mixed bag, with both positive and negative aspects. The PC version of A Plague Tale: Requiem received some criticism regarding its technical performance. Critics, such as GameWatcher and Gameblog.fr, mentioned disappointing optimization, frame rate dips, clunky controls, and visual and gameplay bugs. These issues were seen as impacting the overall experience of the game. However, some reviewers, like MMORPG.com and NME, mentioned that while there were occasional issues and rough edges, they were not game-breaking. Ragequit.gr mentioned that the game ran smoothly on a high-end system but had demanding hardware requirements. Overall, the PC version had a mixed reception in terms of technical performance, with some critics experiencing more significant issues than others. In terms of the overall consensus from the critics, it is clear that the technical performance of A Plague Tale: Requiem varied across different gaming platforms. While some platforms, such as the PlayStation 5, received praise for their technical aspects, including visuals and haptic feedback, there were also concerns raised about occasional frame rate drops, glitches, and crashes. The Xbox Series X had a more mixed reception, with some reviewers not mentioning any significant technical issues, while others mentioned frame rate dips, glitches, and inconsistent checkpointing. The PC version received criticism for its optimization, frame rate dips, and clunky controls, although some reviewers found the issues to be less severe. Overall, while there were some positive aspects mentioned for each platform, there were also notable technical issues that impacted the gameplay experience for some critics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of A Plague Tale: Requiem are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's collectibles and optional content as factors that encourage replayability. Attack of the Fanboy and Game Rant both mention the inclusion of collectibles and a New Game+ mode, which allows players to unlock new content and replay the game with all upgrades intact. This provides an incentive for players to revisit the game and discover new elements. Additionally, VideoGamer mentions exploration, hidden paths, and minor puzzles that tempt players to deviate from the main mission path, adding to the replay value. IGN also praises the game for its collectibles, tool upgrades, and hidden side quests that reward exploration. However, there are a few critics who express reservations about replaying the game. EGM mentions feeling unsure about replaying the game due to its emotional impact, suggesting that the game's narrative might deter some players from revisiting it. Xbox Achievements criticizes the achievements in the game, stating that they are not very inspired and mostly tied to story completion and collectibles. This may limit the motivation for some players to replay the game solely for achievement hunting. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that A Plague Tale: Requiem offers a decent amount of replay value. The inclusion of collectibles, new content in New Game+, and multiple difficulty levels, as mentioned by GamingTrend, provide reasons for players to replay chapters and explore different playstyles. The larger environments and varied gameplay options, as noted by New Game Network, also contribute to the game's replayability. The positive aspects outweigh the reservations expressed by a few critics, making A Plague Tale: Requiem an appealing choice for players looking for a game with replay value.