It’s an understatement to say that games like “Uncharted” and “The Last of Us” have had a profound impact on the video game industry. As cornerstones of narrative-driven games, they’ve inspired many studios to replicate the cinematic formula to create their own blockbuster hits. They may even be adapted into TV shows and movies one day!
Asobo Studio is one such developer that rose to the challenge with the series, “A Plague Tale.” The first two games, 2019’s “A Plague Tale: Innocence” and its direct sequel, 2022’s “A Plague Tale: Requiem,” set themselves apart from the rest of the rat pack thanks to their disease-ridden setting of Southern France and focus on stealth mechanics. A touch of mysticism from being able to control hordes of rats also gave them a fascinating edge over their gun-or-sword-based contemporaries. The heartwarming dynamic between the two siblings Amecia and Hugo also created gut-wrenching stories rivaling even “The Last of Us.”
The latest game in the series, “Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy,” is more like “Uncharted.” It trades what made “A Plague Tale” unique for a more conventional yet polished third-person action-adventure game.
“Resonance” is actually a prequel, set 15 years before “Requiem.” It follows a new protagonist: Sophia, whom Hugo and Amecia meet in the latter. Cursed with horrific visions, she heads off to the mysterious Minotaur Island to find the key to stopping them. While the story in “Resonance” doesn’t hit the same emotional highs as the previous games, it incorporates a dual timeline structure involving Greek myths, particularly Theseus, to keep things interesting as Sophia uncovers the island’s darkest secrets.
Instead of the meek Hugo and physically incapable Amecia, Sophia is a smuggler pirate who cuts down her enemies with ease. That’s certainly reflected in the gameplay too. You’re not extinguishing fires so that rats can eat your enemies alive. You’re slicing them up with your sword and dagger. Sophia has her standard combo attacks with her sword and can charge up her dagger for even more damage. Parrying is important here, as it leaves enemies wide open to further assaults.
Plus, there are no healing items in “Resonance.” Sophia’s HP bar is split into three parts, and three only. The only method of healing is to kill an enemy, which replenishes a segment. As a result, you’ll need to play swiftly yet methodically, or else you’ll be torn apart. The combat is incredibly fluid, making Sophia feel like a swashbuckling dancer. The hits are responsive and tactile, a stark contrast to the clunky, unwieldy combat in the first two games.
After clearing enemy encounters, Sophia earns Resonance Points that she can use to upgrade her skills. These include parrying previously unblockable flashing red attacks, or granting Sophia a second dodge to avoid multi-hit assaults. It’s a very straightforward upgrade system that’s easy to understand.
“Resonance” is split into 14 different chapters, and you’ll be swinging around, navigating through dungeons, and solving light-based puzzles throughout. It’s reminiscent of “Tomb Raider.” While the level design is rather linear, you’re often rewarded for exploring around a bit. You can find extra Resonance Points lying on the ground, or a collectible that expands on the game’s worldbuilding and lore.
Sophia can also find charms that grant her passive perks like surviving a lethal hit or increasing the parry window. She can find additional swords as well, which come with their own passive abilities, like the Kopis blade that deals stun damage on the last hit of a combo. These RPG-lite elements provide enough customizability to feel satisfying without being confusing.
“Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy” sets itself apart in the series as the one that mainly focuses on action, but, in the wider context, it isn’t exactly groundbreaking or original. After all, there are no rats here (at least, not literal ones), which were central to the mythology and identity of the franchise thus far. It may not feel as unique as the first two games in this series, but “Resonance” is a third-person action-adventure game that plays well. If that’s the tale you’re looking for, you’ll be satiated.
Publisher Focus Entertainment provided a review copy of this title. It will be released for PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on August 27, 2026.
