Xbox Game Pass has seen massive success, offering a huge and regularly updated library of AAA and indie titles for subscribers. However, games are sometimes removed from the service when new ones arrive. On September 15, 11 games are being taken off of Xbox Game Pass, and among them is the stealth game A Plague Tale: Innocence.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a historical action-adventure title developed by Asobo Studio, and it also draws on some horror themes. The game was a critical and commercial success, owing to its character-driven story, mature exploration of dark subject matters, and stunning visuals. With over a million copies sold, it's a title that has proven its value in a somewhat saturated genre, and one that's definitely worth checking out before it leaves Xbox Game Pass.
An Exploration of Tragedy
A Plague Tale: Innocence follows Amicia de Rune as she tries to save her brother Hugo from illness, avoiding swarms of rats and hostile guards during their journey. It's set in medieval France against the backdrop of the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War, depicting the period with all the morbid gloom to be expected. The story received praise for its exploration of its themes of family and tragedy.
In terms of gameplay, A Plague Tale: Innocence is a refreshingly challenging take on the third-person stealth genre. Amicia's combat options are limited to a mostly non-lethal slingshot, while enemies can kill her with one hit if she is discovered. Instead of feeling unfair or frustrating, these mechanics really sell the feeling of being a teenage thrust into a dangerous situation, with the added stress and responsibility of caring for a child.
Stealth sections are broken up by unique puzzles that utilize swarms of plague rats. These sections can get repetitive, but they're somewhat infrequent and still add to the unsettling horror atmosphere. The visuals and sound of these segments help to add some variety to the gameplay, without feeling like filler content or sacrificing the tension built around them.
Preparing for A Plague Tale: Requiem
The sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence, called A Plague Tale: Requiem, is set to release on October 18, 2022. The sequel will continue the story of Amicia and Hugo, but that doesn't mean it's just more of the same. Director Kevin Choteau has gone on record saying A Plague Tale: Requiem will be set apart from its predecessor by features that only next-gen technology could make possible.
Gameplay details revealed at June's Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase also showed off some things that have changed between games. A Plague Tale: Requiem seems visually livelier than Innocence, but still maintains its macabre atmosphere. Amicia also seems to have gone through some interesting character developments, touting a wider arsenal of weapons that point to her being a more capable fighter than before.
A Plague Tale: Requiem will be an Xbox Game Pass day-one release. That's great news for subscribers, but it also makes the timing of A Plague Tale: Innocence's removal from the service on September 15 all the more confusing. For some, that might be all the more reason to check out the original game while they can in preparation for the anticipated sequel.
A Plague Tale: Innocence is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
