A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale tells a tale about human cruelty, the loss of innocence, survival, and family via its beautiful visual and imaginative level design, but it feels like near the game’s end confidence was lost in this vision. It gets in its own way by deciding that something bigger was needed to keep the player’s attention. It’s a sour end to an otherwise great game.

This game is surely not for everyone. It focuses heavily on its story and it’s not trying to be something it isn’t. You won’t get some flashy action sequences here, nor will you get to slash through your enemies like a hot knife through butter. But you will get to experience a journey filled with love and hate, friendship and sorrow, sadness and joy, and you will definitely enjoy every step of the way.

Powerfully ghoulish depictions of the plague and rats aside, Innocence is ultimately an emotive story of resilience against harrowing odds. The game’s title is an obvious nod towards the loss of innocence the endearing young cast faces throughout their journey. But more than that, it also speaks of the depths of human depravity and the agonizing cost of survival in the midst of war. Despite the unremitting horrors of Innocence’s beginnings, the game occasionally lets in a faint glimpse of hope.