A Plague Tale

Face the devastation of 14th century France.

$44 | PC, PS4, XB1 | WWW.APLAGUETALE.COM

Amicia De Rune is out on a hunt with her father and the family dog, a scene so warm and tranquil you just know things are going to go very wrong very soon. That doesn’t make it any less shocking when Amicia suddenly comes face to face with the Plague, which manifests itself not only as a horrible disease, but as a teeming mass of rats that devours everything in its wake. Amicia and her father make their way home, only to find the Inquisition at their doorstep. For reasons unknown they want Amicia’s little brother Hugo and are not above slaughtering their way through to him.

A Plague Tale starts off strong with a completely heartrending intro to the linear stealth actionadventure that sees the siblings sneak their way through the family estate while Inquisition soldiers make short work of their loved ones.

It’s also an effective introduction to your tools and responsibilities. As Amicia you keep Hugo close during sneaking passages,

not letting go of his hand unless absolutely necessary and shielding him from the most gruesome sights. If there’s climbing to be done, Hugo goes up and over first, and he helps open new passages by squeezing through openings his sister won’t fit. Amicia’s sling is a multipurpose item that can be used to distract soldiers by throwing stones at nearby metal items or destroy simple fastenings of drawbridges and the like.

Unfortunately your actions in A Plague Tale for the most part don’t support the oppressive atmosphere the narrative builds, mostly because it’s a game that isn’t challenging to begin with, and only becomes easier.

The siblings and the friends they make along the way provide an interesting perspective on the many horrors of the 14th century, and their evolving relationship with each other is A Plague Tale’s great draw, but the plot taking a bizarre turn towards the end makes for a botched landing at the last minute.

Verdict

Beautiful and emotionally affecting.