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A Plague Tale: Requiem

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Aram (talk | contribs) at 21:58, 12 January 2024 (+ Soundtrack section. IMO, while I usually don't focus on soundtracks, this one captivated me, becoming my second favorite. The game, a masterpiece, holds a special place in my heart. At least It deserved one at The Game Awards and if I were Christopher Judge, I'd proudly give the award to Charlotte McBurney in front of the entire world; she doesn't just play Amicia, but she gives her soul to the character. As she walks to receive the honor she deserves more than me, 'No Turning Back' plays.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

A Plague Tale: Requiem
Cover art, showing main characters Amicia (foreground) and Hugo
Developer(s)Asobo Studio
Publisher(s)Focus Entertainment
Director(s)Kevin Choteau
Producer(s)Eric Chort
Programmer(s)Alain Guyet
Artist(s)Olivier Ponsonnet
Writer(s)Sébastien Renard
Composer(s)Olivier Deriviere
Platform(s)
Release18 October 2022
Genre(s)Action-adventure, stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

A Plague Tale: Requiem is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment. The game is the sequel to A Plague Tale: Innocence (2019), and follows siblings Amicia and Hugo de Rune who must look for a cure to Hugo's blood disease in Southern France while fleeing from soldiers of the Inquisition and hordes of rats that are spreading the black plague. It was released for Nintendo Switch (cloud version), PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 18 October 2022. It received generally positive reviews from critics. At The Game Awards 2022, it received five nominations including Game of the Year.

Gameplay

Requiem is an action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. In the game, the player assumes control of Amicia and must face off against both hostile humans and hordes of rats that are spreading the black plague. Gameplay is largely similar to the first game, though the combat system is significantly expanded. Amicia is equipped with weapons such as a knife to stab enemies, a sling that can be used to throw rocks, and a crossbow which allows her to defeat armoured opponents. Crossbow bolts, throwing pots, and rocks can be combined with alchemical mixtures. In addition to Ignifer and Extinguis, which allows the player to light and extinguish flame respectively, the game introduces tar, which increases the radius of the light source, and can be used to ignite enemies.[1]

Locations are also larger in Requiem, giving players additional options to progress. Stealth is expanded in Requiem. Unlike Innocence, Amicia would not die after being hit once by enemies. She can also return to stealth after she was discovered by enemies, and counter their attacks if she gets too close to them. Amicia's brother Hugo, who has a connection to the plague, can use an ability named "Echo" which reveals the locations of enemies through walls. Hugo can also control the hordes of rats to overwhelm enemies. Similar to the first game, the rats, which are light-averse, play a huge role in the game. Amicia and Hugo must stay in the light, or they will be devoured by the rats. Amicia can use the rats to her advantage, manipulating them to solve puzzles, or even lure them to kill enemies.[1]

The game also features a progression system in which the player will be awarded additional skills and abilities. Stealth players will unlock skills that allows them to sneak around more efficiently, while those who prefer a more lethal approach will unlock additional combat skills.[1] The player's gear and equipment can also be upgraded at workbenches.[2]

Plot

In 1349, six months following the events of the first game, siblings Amicia (Charlotte McBurney) and Hugo de Rune (Logan Hannan), along with their mother Beatrice (Lucy Briggs-Owen) and her apprentice Lucas (Kit Connor), seek refuge among an organization of alchemists called the Order. A hostile group of survivalist beekeepers attack the siblings, causing the Prima Macula to reawaken in Hugo. The group hides in a fortified town in Provence where Beatrice enlists the aid of Order representative Vaudin (Antony Byrne) to treat Hugo; the treatments only exacerbate his condition, resulting in the town being swarmed by rats and left in ruins. Vaudin is killed while the others escape on a boat bound for the Order's headquarters in Marseille.

Unwilling to see Hugo locked up as the Order’s test subject, Amicia takes Hugo and leaves Beatrice and Lucas to seek an island of which Hugo has recurring dreams, hoping it will lead to a cure for the Macula. Along the way, they are pursued by Provence soldiers, as well as mercenaries led by the disgraced knight Arnaud (Harry Myers). Arnaud offers to arrange transport to the island from Hugo's dreams, La Cuna. They sail to the island on the ship of Arnaud's smuggler friend Sophia (Anna Demetriou).

Arriving at La Cuna, the group discovers that the residents, led by Count Victor (Alistair Petrie) and Countess Emilie (Ellie Heydon), worship a pagan deity called the Child of Embers. Arnaud tries to coerce Hugo into summoning rats to attack Victor — whom he blames for the death of his son — but Amicia intervenes, and Arnaud is arrested. Amicia deduces that the Count and Countess are unknowingly worshipping a previous Macula carrier as the Child. With Sophia, they delve into an ancient Order temple, following the history of the carrier, Basilius, and his protector, Aelia. Entering a chapel where Aelia was imprisoned after rebelling against the Order, the group encounters a cult of slavers who offer human sacrifices to the Child; Hugo summons rats to kill the slavers. The group discovers Basilius was imprisoned underground by the Order to contain the Macula, and Aelia died before she could reach him. Without Aelia, Basilius gave in to the Macula and unleashed the Justinian Plague. Amicia realizes the Macula showed Hugo the dream to lure him into its clutches, and they flee the prison as it collapses under a horde of rats.

Amicia and Hugo return to Victor's castle and reunite with Beatrice and Lucas. Amicia reasons that, if they are there to support Hugo, the Macula will remain dormant. However, Victor reveals Emilie believes Hugo is the Child — a myth Victor invented for Emilie, who is infertile — so they must kill Hugo's old family and adopt him. After Emilie kills Beatrice in a ritual sacrifice, Hugo summons a horde of rats which devours Emilie and destroys much of the island. Amicia's group rescues Arnaud before escaping on Sophia's ship, with Victor in pursuit. Victor wounds Amicia and captures Hugo while the rest are forced overboard. On shore, Arnaud sacrifices himself to allow Amicia to kill Victor, but they are too late to prevent Hugo, who believes Amicia to be dead, from giving himself over to the Macula. A cloud blots out the sun, allowing the rats to spread unchecked and destroy Marseille. Amicia and Lucas enter the ruined city and sink into a phantasmic reality created by the Macula. Here, Hugo's voice tells Amicia that, having now fully merged with the Macula, the only way to stop the rats is to kill him. Hugo is killed by Lucas if Amicia refuses to do so.

One year later, Amicia has a home in the mountains, and Lucas is continuing his alchemy studies elsewhere. Amicia prepares to journey with Sophia to find the next Macula carrier and protector so that she can help guide them. Before she leaves, she pays her respects to Hugo's grave.

In a post-credits scene set in the modern era, a child is on a ventilator, with signs of the Macula on its skin.

Development

Requiem was developed by French video game development company Asobo Studio. Similar to the first game, the game is set in Medieval France during the mid-14th century. To ensure the authenticity of the locations, the team collaborated with Roxane Chila, a doctor in Medieval History, and browsed both Wikipedia and other specialized websites for additional information. They also drew inspirations from the personal experiences of some of their team members. The team decided early on that the game would have a different colour palette when compared with its predecessor. As a result, the setting of the game was moved from the gloomy, war-torn Aquitaine to Provence, which is more colorful and vibrant. According to lead writer Sébastien Renard, this created a "sharper contrast between the harsh reality of the medieval setting, in which terrible events are happening, and beautiful, sometimes uncharted environments". To create additional opportunities for puzzle-solving, the game introduces several new locations including harbours and marketplaces, in Requiem.[3]

A Plague Tale: Requiem was announced by Asobo Studio and publisher Focus Entertainment during Microsoft's E3 2021 press conference.[4] The game competed for the Tribeca Games Award and was included as an official selection.[5] The game was released on 18 October 2022 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The release of a new generation of consoles allowed the game to render more than 300,000 rats at once.[1] A cloud-only version was also to be released for Nintendo Switch on the same day.[6]

Soundtrack

A Plague Tale: Requiem – Original Soundtrack from the Video Game
Soundtrack album by
Olivier Deriviere
ReleasedOctober 18, 2022 (2022-10-18)
StudioEstonian Public Broadcasting Studio 1
GenreClassical, Stage & Screen[7]
Length87:31
LabelBlack Screen Records

The original soundtrack of A Plague Tale: Requiem, composed by Olivier Deriviere, enhances the atmospheric narrative of the game with its captivating and emotionally charged compositions. Recorded at Estonian Public Broadcasting Studio 1and released under Black Screen Records.[8][7] The soundtrack features a rich orchestral arrangement, including performers like Eric Maria Couturier and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. It was published on multiple platforms on the same day as the game's release, on October 18, 2022.[9]

In composing the OST, Deriviere integrated a diverse array of medieval musical instruments, such as bagpipes, oud, flute, and nyckelharpa, adding a unique historical dimension to the music.[10]

Notably, according to Olivier Deriviere's official channels on YouTube and Spotify, following the main theme which shares its name with the game, specific tracks have garnered increased popularity. The haunting "No Turning Back" and the evocative "Brother" have particularly resonated with audiences, enhancing the immersive experience of the game. The lyrics of "Ô ma belle Lune" (Template:Lang-en) were written by Olivier Deriviere and are featured in both the first and last tracks of the A Plague Tale: Requiem Original Soundtrack.

The successful first weeks of A Plague Tale: Requiem game is further highlighted by its five nominations at The Game Awards 2022, including "Game of the Year." To celebrate, a 43-minute concert on 24 November 2022, featuring performers like Eric-Maria Couturier and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, was held and premiered on the official channel's of the publisher of the game, Focus Entertainment on YouTube. This concert underscores the synergy between gameplay and music, reinforcing the soundtrack's integral role in the game's acclaim.[9]

All music is composed by Olivier Deriviere.

Track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."A Plague Tale Requiem"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir4:00
2."A Beautiful Morning"Olivier Deriviere, Giani Caserotto1:49
3."Hide and Seek"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier1:16
4."The Dream"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir3:57
5."No Turning Back"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier4:20
6."The Friendly Lucas"Olivier Deriviere, Giani Caserotto1:56
7."Arnaud’s Men"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier2:30
8."The Men After Me"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier1:16
9."The Rage Within"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier3:15
10."Unwilling Violence"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier3:04
11."The Rats and Hugo"Olivier Deriviere1:15
12."Reunion"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier2:42
13."A New Foe"Olivier Deriviere3:25
14."A Wreck"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier2:19
15."Alone Together"Olivier Deriviere, Eleonore Billy1:25
16."Siblings"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir1:35
17."Fragile"Olivier Deriviere1:55
18."The Wall"Olivier Deriviere2:11
19."The Storm"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir2:55
20."The Island"Olivier Deriviere2:46
21."The Child (L’Enfant)"Olivier Deriviere1:58
22."The Holy Child (L’Enfant Divin)"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir2:07
23."The Spirit of the Island"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir3:56
24."Heavy Heart"Olivier Deriviere, Eric Maria Couturier1:18
25."The Truth"Olivier Deriviere2:14
26."The Night (La Nuit)"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir5:08
27."The Count"Olivier Deriviere1:53
28."The Duel"Olivier Deriviere3:02
29."A Knight"Olivier Deriviere1:24
30."At Peace"Olivier Deriviere1:44
31."Love and Friendship"Olivier Deriviere1:18
32."Up There (La Haut)"Olivier Deriviere4:34
33."Brother"Olivier Deriviere4:07
34."O Ma Belle Lune"Olivier Deriviere, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir2:17
Total length:87:31

Reception

A Plague Tale: Requiem received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[29]

Sales

In the United Kingdom, the game was the fifth best-selling retail game in its week of release.[30] On 4 November 2022, Focus Entertainment announced that the game had reached over 1 million players.[31] On 21 November 2023, it was announced that the game had reached 3 million players.[32]

Accolades

Year Award Category Result Ref.
2022 Golden Joystick Awards Best Visual Design Nominated [33]
The Game Awards 2022 Game of the Year Nominated [34]
Best Narrative Nominated
Best Score and Music Nominated
Best Performance (Charlotte McBurney as Amicia de Rune) Nominated
Best Action/Adventure Game Nominated
2023 22nd NAVGTR Awards Game of the Year Nominated [35]
Outstanding Art Direction, Period Influence Nominated
Outstanding Camera Direction in a Game Engine Nominated
Outstanding Game, Franchise Adventure Won [36]
Outstanding Original Dramatic Score, Franchise Won
26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design Nominated [37]
Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition Nominated
Outstanding Technical Achievement Nominated
4ème Cérémonie des Pégases Best Video Game Nominated [38]
Visual Excellence Won [39]
Best Sound Design Won
Narrative Excellence Won
Audience Award Won
19th British Academy Games Awards Artistic Achievement Nominated [40]
Audio Achievement Nominated
Music Nominated
Narrative Nominated
Performer in a Leading Role (Charlotte McBurney as Amicia) Nominated
27th Annual Webby Awards Best Music/Sound Design (Webby Winner) Won [41]
Best Music/Sound Design (People's Voice Winner) Won

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cardy, Simon (25 June 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem - Exclusive Hands-On Preview". IGN. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  2. ^ Mercante, Alyssa (11 June 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem gameplay is gruesome and gorgeous". GamesRadar. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. ^ Renard, Sébastien (12 June 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem – Creating a New Setting for Amicia and Hugo". Xbox Wire. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  4. ^ Skrebels, Joe (18 June 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Announced - E3 2021". IGN. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  5. ^ Grodt, Jill (10 June 2022). "Oxenfree 2, A Plague Tale: Requiem, Cuphead, And More Highlighted At Tribeca Games Spotlight". Game Informer. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. ^ Phillips, Tom (23 June 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem gets October release date, 10 minutes of gameplay shown". Eurogamer. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Olivier Derivière – A Plague Tale: Requiem (2022, CD) - Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Olivier Deriviere (2023), A Plague Tale: Requiem Original Soundtrack Gold Black Marble (in French), Black Screen Records, retrieved 12 January 2024
  9. ^ a b "A Plague Tale: Requiem: Celebrate nominations for The Game Awards with a concert - Focus Entertainment". www.focus-entmt.com. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  10. ^ "A Plague Tale Requiem, by Olivier Deriviere". Olivier Deriviere. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  11. ^ "A Plague Tale: Requiem for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  12. ^ "A Plague Tale: Requiem for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  13. ^ "A Plague Tale: Requiem for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  14. ^ Moyse, Chris (17 October 2022). "Review: A Plague Tale: Requiem". Destructoid. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  15. ^ L Patterson, Mollie (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review - The best laid schemes of rats and men often go awry". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (21 June 2023). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1803". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  17. ^ LeBlanc, Wesley (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Review - A Bold Epic". Game Informer. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  18. ^ Wakeling, Richard (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Review - Picturesque Terror". GameSpot. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  19. ^ Avard, Alex (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review: "An engrossing slice of historical escapism"". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  20. ^ Helm, Jordan (17 October 2022). "Review: A Plague Tale: Requiem". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  21. ^ Northup, Travis (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Review - A safe but exciting sequel with an impressively alarming amount of rats". IGN. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  22. ^ Bailes, Jon (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  23. ^ Bergin, Lauren (17 October 2022). "Plague Tale Requiem review – innocence is a thing of the past". PCGamesN. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  24. ^ Croft, Liam (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Review (PS5)". Push Square. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  25. ^ Chandler, Sam (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review: Of rats and women". Shacknews. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  26. ^ Lane, Rick (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review – rat-infested sequel raises stakes and spectacle". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  27. ^ Peppiatt, Dom (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem review – an essential Game Pass encore, in sickness and in health". VG247. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  28. ^ Bardwell, Tom (17 October 2022). "A Plague Tale: Requiem Review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  29. ^ "A Plague Tale: Requiem". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  30. ^ Croft, Liam (26 October 2022). "UK Sales Charts: Gotham Knights, A Plague Tale: Requiem Make Decent Sales Debuts". Push Square. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  31. ^ "A Plague Tale: Requiem: Over one million players with a one-of-a-kind Accolades Trailer - Focus Entertainment". www.focus-entmt.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  32. ^ Carter, Justin (21 November 2023). "A Plague Tale: Requiem scurries to 3 million players". Game Developer. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  33. ^ Jones, Ali (20 October 2022). "Time is running out to cast your vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2022". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  34. ^ "The Full List of the 2022 Game Awards Nominees". Game Informer. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Nominees 2022 | NAVGTR". Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  36. ^ "2022 Winners | NAVGTR". Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  37. ^ "26th Annual DICE Awards Game of the Year Nominees Announced". IGN. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Pégases 2023 : Découvrez la liste des nominés avec de nombreuses productions françaises !". Millenium FR (in French). 7 March 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Édition 2023 | Académie des Arts et Techniques du Jeu Vidéo" (in French). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  40. ^ "2023 BAFTA Games Awards: The Nominations". British Academy of Film and Television Arts. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  41. ^ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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