Last week, Focus Entertainment and Asobo Studio treated the world to a closer look at the upcomingA Plague Tale: Requiemby way of an extended gameplay trailer. The trailer shows players will once againtake control of both Amicia and Hugo- two children who barely survived the rat plague that devastated their homeland. The sequel toA Plague Tale: Innocencesees these siblings in a new land as they search for a cure to Hugo’s strange affliction. Everything starts off calm, but when Hugo’s illness resurfaces, the plague of rats returns with a vengeance.
Those who have playedA Plague Tale: Innocencewill know that both Hugo and Amicia are deeply tied to the rat plague that follows in their wake. Hugo’s blood carries the Prima Macula - an ancient evil that manifests itself in specific noble bloodlines throughout time. The extent of the evil is unknown, but one certain thing is that Hugo can control swarms. By the end of the first game, Hugo has come to grips with his powers and, together with Amicia, defeated Vitalis Benevent - a corrupt and evil Grand Inquisitor who sought to use Hugo’s powers to rule France. With Vitalis done for and Hugo now seemingly in control of his powers,A Plague Tale: Requiemis the perfect opportunity to show just what the young boy can do.Spoilers forA Plague Tale: Innocenceahead.
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The Groundwork for Hugo Is Already Set
The final act ofA Plague Tale: Innocenceshows potential gameplay options whencontrolling both Amicia and Hugo together. Using Amicia’s vast arsenal of throwables to create openings for Hugo’s rats, players can plow through hordes of enemies that once seemed incredibly strong. This back-and-forth between feeling vulnerable and strong creates an experience that feels wholly earned by the end.
Unfortunately, this dynamic might not work as well at the start ofA Plague Tale: Requiem. Considering Hugo’s capacity to eliminate enemies easily with Imperium (the power to control rats), players may feel too strong from the get-go. This isn’t whatplayingA Plague Tale: Requiemshould feel like.A Plague Tale: Innocencegot its tone right by making players feel like the whole world is against them. Players had to use cunning and wit to overcome obstacles instead of brute force. Once the option to eliminate enemies more easily presented itself, players were able to enjoy the catharsis because of their prior struggles.
Controlling Rats Can Be a Versatile Power
SinceA Plague Tale: Requiemtakes place six months after the first game, Asobo Studio could give Hugo different rat-based powers that show his growth. ThePlague Talefranchise is primarily centered around action-adventure and stealth-based mechanics.Since stealth is where the rats seem to be lacking, it seems like a perfect opportunity to give them more sneaky abilities. Giving Hugo the ability to control a single rat for reconnaissance purposes would allow him and Amicia to sneak past enemies more easily. The rats can go through holes, vents, and other tight spaces that the two wouldn’t normally be able to get through. With enough experience, Hugo might also be able to command the rats to do more specific actions like opening doors that are locked from the other side.
In terms of combat, Hugo could combine the rats with Amicia’s alchemical throwables.Amicia could stick her special ammunitionon rats (such as the enemy-eliminating Somnum) to create makeshift remote bombs. Once enemies have been knocked out, Hugo can command the rats to devour their bodies, leaving nothing for surviving enemies to find. It is a bit macabre, but the tactics seem to fit well withinA Plague Tale: Requiem’s grim world.
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Hugo Should Have More Playable Sections
While it is most likely thatA Plague Tale: Requiemwill have players control Amicia for the majority, it would be a disservice to the first game to not have any playable Hugo sections. Hugo serves as the deuteragonist of the franchise, and his growing powers mean his role can only get bigger with each title. Having Hugo periodically go on adventures of his own will not only give players more chances to use his powers, but to also see his growth as a character. One of Hugo’s biggest character arcs inA Plague Tale: Innocencehappens without Amicia, as he willingly gives himself over to the Inquisition to save his mother.A Plague Tale: Requiemshould capitalize on sections like this and give the two characters time apart. Doing so will give players more chances tosee the world from both Amicia and Hugo’s eyes, as well as strengthen the bond the two have with each other.
A Plague Tale: Requiemhas a lot to live up to, but it also has a lot of room to improve. Striking the balance between gameplay and story is essential, and doing so with two characters at the center of the franchise may not be easy. Asobo Studio has already given playersa lengthy amount of time with Amicia, so it would be in its best interest to give Hugo just as much time in the spotlight. This will allow players to feel a deeper connection to the character, instead of just seeing him as an NPC that needs to be protected.
A Plague Tale: Requiemreleases on August 06, 2025 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
