My most anticipated game of 2022 has finally released! The sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence is here and I’m trying my best to take my time. I’m actually playing quite slowly because I’m obsessed with photo mode. The game is so beautiful that I’m pausing every 30 seconds to see what shots I can get. I’m not sure how far I am into the title, but I already know I’ll be jumping back into the chapters to make this another 100% completion. This game deserves it and if you haven’t played it yet, you’re really missing out. I’ll keep this spoiler-free!

To be honest, I was not sure what a sequel to the first game would look like. Regardless, I knew I was getting it even though I had no idea what to expect. I avoided all reviews and talk about the game. The game is just as stunning as the first one, but it’s exceeded my expectations. Of course the brother/sister duo is back and so are the rats, but the landscapes you traverse are intricate and varied. From dark crypts to beautiful fields, it would be a crime if the game did not include the photo mode. The changes in weather and landscape contribute beautifully to the mood of the game. I love the intricacies of every area I explore. I’m always looking in every corner before I progress forward.

Much like the first game, the path is quite linear. While there are some areas you can wander a bit in, it’s difficult to get lost. The only time I’ve gotten stuck is when a control didn’t cooperate or if a step wasn’t as obvious as I thought. The game isn’t difficult. 98% of the time, you’ll know exactly where to go and how to do it. Not only are you navigating comically large hordes of rats, you’re also trying to avoid soldiers. Depending on how you choose to deal with soldiers, you’ll unlock perks that accompany your play style. If you’re more aggressive like me, you’ll get some new kill moves. If you’re sneakier, you’ll become quicker while crouched and make less sound. The nice thing is, you’re not pigeon-holed into any of these and can unlock them simultaneously if you mix up your approach.

I tend to be aggressive because I’m not patient enough for sneaking. Sometimes I try to sneak so I can build up that skill line, but I tend to get caught more often than not. The game has added new items that can bail you out of trouble when things get too heated. Being able to have a one-use knife for soldiers or pyrite to escape a swarm of rats has gotten me out of numerous bad situations. I’ll try to quickly wipe out enemies when this happens, but sometimes I’m shuffling between things too quickly and end up just bonking people on the head comically instead.

A Plague Tale: Requiem is bigger than I expected. The huge variety in areas you explore has been a great surprise and I’ve really enjoyed it. I haven’t beaten the game yet, and I don’t want to post stuff from later in the game just because it is so varied that I don’t want to spoil it. All of the elements of the first game are here, but they’ve been expanded on. Let’s just say it’s not all dark, gloomy, and covered in corpses… although there is a lot of that.

You’ll be introduced to a whole host of new characters that may help or harm you. In addition to the familiar mechanics of the first game, there’s new elements like chase scenes. Whether you’re dodging the army or a flood of rats, it completely changes the pace of the game. It doesn’t last long, but it’s a nice way to break up the standard formula and try new things. While it isn’t my favorite part of the game, watching a literal avalanche of rats destroy everything makes me laugh.

There’s also new elements you can play with including a crossbow and tar. You can even combine them with items aside from your sling. If you remember the pots in the first game, rather than just using them to distract soldiers, you can combine them with elements to have a larger environmental effect… just pay attention to where you’re standing because your brilliant idea may actually totally backfire.

I’m not sure how far into the game I actually am, but I’m savoring every moment. I love that just like in the first game, it tells you how many collectibles are in each chapter along with how many you discovered. I love the wide variety of landscapes I get to explore. I love that despite the weird facial animations, I am totally invested in the story and want to know what happens. I just really love this game.

One last note, in addition to collecting flowers like you did in the first game, you can also collect things called “Souvenirs”. It’s basically just tiny little moments that make the world feel more real and lived in. It may be a sweet interaction between two characters, a hidden location, or a little game to break away from the calamity of the world. They aren’t too far off the beaten path, but you do need to slow down and explore a little to find them. Some can be easy to miss if you’re too busy trying to move forward.

I don’t know how this ends, but I’m already wondering if there is a world in which a third Plague Tale game could exist. Are you playing this game? What are your thoughts? Share them with me in the comments!