Sagir Khan

A Plague Tale: Innocence was one of 2019's biggest surprises mainly because it was a great game from a small studio with a team of 40 people working under a small budget. Enter 2022, Asobo Studio's team has grown with a bigger budget but I was not prepared for the sheer spectacle that awaited me. In every category Requeim is not only an upgrade to its predecessors but it rivals the greatest narrative experiences out there. Visually it's stunning starting from vast landscapes to festive markets to the open sea. The architecture of the middle age buildings are detailed and gorgeous. The level designs were exceptional! The soundtrack is sometimes haunting, other times emotional or festive and at all times fitting for the atmosphere. The voice acting is incredible! Charlotte McBurney deserves all the accolades for her role as Amicia. The way her voice shakes or quivers in moments of turmoil or desperation makes you feel her pain and trauma in your bones. The gameplay is excellent. It's still a stealth game at its heart given the relatively fragile nature of the protagonist but this time you have more options in your arsenal to fight back. Amicia is tougher than ever! The story is emotional. It's deeply moving. It's one of the few video games that made me shed tears. The bond between the siblings and their companions will keep you engaged or stay on your toes from start to finish. Performance-wise I've only faced two noticeable stutters (for a total of less than 2 seconds combined) and by the time you're reading this they might be gone entirely. The smaller AA budget of the studio is only noticeable in facial animations. There were no major bugs and whatever minor bugs that doea exist, I didn't experience them or did not affect my enjoyment of the game. I expected a great time when I started playing. What I did not expect was to be hit with emotions that will stay with me for years to come. A Plague Tale: Requiem is a masterpiece. It is a modern day classic and I look forward to see what Asobo Studio does next because the future seems limitless!