Lead level designer Kevin Pinson discusses A Plague Tale: Requiem, an upcoming rat game. Asobo Studio went to great efforts to relate the character development to its gameplay approach. There is more to Hugo and Amicia’s story than just the struggle for survival. Hugo is attempting to strike a balance between his growing mastery of his rat abilities and Amicia’s wish for them both to have normal lives.
With Hugo gradually expanding his abilities, he gains a slight measure of greater independence and tries using his powers to help Amicia – sometimes with disastrous effects, as he still loses control. Amicia, meanwhile, struggles with the practical necessities of keeping herself and her brother safe in a hostile world, and it takes its toll, Pinson says.
Despite, or perhaps because of, everything Amicia went through in Innocence, she refuses to make violence part of her life and tries avoiding it at all costs. Pinson says Amicia suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder following the events of Innocence and that we should expect to see the effects of that unfold throughout Requiem.
On a practical level, it means that even with her combat experience, Amicia refuses to train as a soldier or even to make fighting and killing part of her life unless absolutely necessary. Rather than walking around medieval Europe with an arsenal of weapons or even some basic necessities, you have to find what you need to survive, including materials to craft arrow shafts and other weapons.
Pinson also says it means that A Plague Tale: Innocence isn’t an action game, though the recent gameplay trailer might suggest otherwise. There’s plenty of room for experimentation with your fighting style and which weapons you choose, but Pinson says you shouldn’t expect Amicia to be a combat master. He mentions the crossbow as an example. It’s a powerful weapon, but it’s hard for her to control.
If you can’t wait for A Plague Tale: Requiem, check out some of our picks for the best stealth games on PC to help tide you over until October.