NINETOES VS. RESONANCE: A PLAGUE TALE

Ninetoes jumped into the new “Plague Tale” game and came away wondering, “Where are the rats?”

Hey there, gamers! It is your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes HQ with my first impressions of Resonance: A Plague Tale. I have my controller in hand, and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it!

I am a fan of the “Plague Tale” games (A Plague Tale: Innocence 2019 and A Plague Tale: Requiem 2022). I have to say that at the outset. So, when I heard there was a new game in the series coming out, I was over the moon. I pretty much hit Mars when I found out it was available on Xbox’s Game Pass.

This game is set thirteen years before A Plague Tale: Requiem. This time, you are in Italy, playing Sophia, a young woman who was sent to a convent when she was little and the nuns there experimented on her in hopes of bringing about visions that would lead them to a treasure. She is saved by her father and “uncle”. She is taken back home and brought up in the plunderer’s ways. The plunderers are also looking for the treasure, but she is one of them and raised in their ways.

Her journey will bring the player to Minotaur Island, where the treasure is. Here, the player faces trials, puzzles, and deadly trails while trying to stay one step ahead of the army that is hunting her.

The story for this game is solid and easy to get into. I was immediately drawn into Sophia’s story, and trust me when I say it does get dark, and this is just the beginning. The character is well fleshed out, as is her environment.

The graphics are good. In a way, I wanted more for the current generation’s graphic ability, but they are not totally bad either. They sort of blur the line between the last generation and this generation.

The combat system is a little dodgy and takes some getting used to. With so many combat systems out there, my brain sort of rebels at a new one, and I had to really dig in to get the hang of things. Maybe that my 61-year-old brain fighting against me, but I have to say in utmost honesty that video game developers can decide on one combat system among them to make it easier for ALL players.

Now, I do have one major ding…fall in the water and die. Really? I am talking about water, not fire, not acid, not nuclear waste, but water. I have not seen this since the original Assassin’s Creed nineteen years ago. To make matters worse, I fell in the water where there was a partially collapsed walkway RIGHT NEXT TO ME! It would have been so nice to put a little extra coding in, so I could just reach out and drag myself up.

As it stands now, it is shaping up to be a good game. A few tweaks and it would be great. If pushed to give it a grade at this point, it would be 3.5 out of 5. If you are thinking of buying it, wait until it goes on sale.

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.