10.5 hours played
Written 8 days ago
Having played "A Plague Tale: Innocence" for 10 hours, you've likely experienced a significant portion of what the game has to offer, as it typically takes around 10-15 hours to complete. Here's a review based on that approximate playtime:
**A Plague Tale: Innocence - A Riveting, Gruesome Journey Through Medieval France (10-hour Impressions)**
After 10 hours with "A Plague Tale: Innocence," it's clear why this game garnered so much praise. It's a remarkably atmospheric and emotionally charged narrative experience that truly sets itself apart.
**The Good:**
* **Compelling Story and Characters:** The absolute standout here is the narrative. The bond between Amicia and her younger brother Hugo is the heart of the game, and their desperate struggle for survival in 14th-century plague-ridden France is genuinely gripping. Amicia's transformation from a sheltered noble girl to a fierce protector, and Hugo's innocent yet terrifying connection to the rats, is incredibly well-realized. You'll feel deeply invested in their plight, which is a testament to the strong writing and excellent voice acting. By the 10-hour mark, you've witnessed significant character development and a story that has consistently kept you hooked.
* **Stunning Atmosphere and Visuals:** The game is visually striking. The grim, disease-ridden landscapes of medieval France, from desolate battlefields to eerie churches, are beautifully rendered. The use of light and shadow is masterfully employed to create a constant sense of dread and vulnerability, especially when dealing with the literal "plague" of rats. The sheer number of rats the game can display on screen is technically impressive and creates truly horrifying moments.
* **Unique Rat Mechanics:** The concept of using light to manipulate massive swarms of rats is innovative and central to the gameplay. These moments are often tense and require clever puzzle-solving, whether you're luring rats to dispose of guards or creating safe paths through their teeming masses. After 10 hours, you've encountered various scenarios that test your understanding of these mechanics.
* **Engaging Stealth and Puzzles:** While the game is linear, the stealth sections and environmental puzzles are generally well-designed and rewarding. Amicia's sling and alchemical tools offer a surprising amount of variety in how you approach encounters, even if the solutions often feel somewhat guided. You've likely experienced the satisfaction of successfully navigating a tricky area without being detected or finding a clever way to bypass enemies.
**The Less Good (or areas for consideration):**
* **Repetitive Gameplay Loop (Can be at times):** While initially fresh, the core gameplay loop of stealth, distraction, and light-based rat manipulation can start to feel a bit repetitive after 10 hours. You might find yourself wishing for a bit more variety in enemy encounters or puzzle types.
* **AI Can Be Simple:** The enemy AI, particularly that of the Inquisition soldiers, can be quite predictable. Their patrol routes are often rigid, and their detection cones can be forgiving. This can sometimes break the immersion, especially when you can easily manipulate them with a well-placed stone. By this point, you've likely noticed these patterns.
* **Linearity:** The game is a very linear, story-driven experience. While this allows for tight pacing and narrative focus, it means there's little room for exploration or player agency outside of the predefined path. If you prefer open-world games or more freedom of choice, this might be a minor drawback.
* **Boss Fights (Potentially a mixed bag):** Some players find the boss fights to be a bit clunky or to disrupt the flow of the game. After 10 hours, you may have encountered one or two that felt more like a mechanical puzzle than an organic encounter.
**Overall Impression at 10 Hours:**
"A Plague Tale: Innocence" at the 10-hour mark is a strong, memorable experience. Its undeniable strengths lie in its deeply emotional story, captivating characters, and truly exceptional atmosphere. While the gameplay can occasionally lean into repetition and the AI isn't revolutionary, these elements rarely overshadow the narrative's power. If you appreciate a grim, historical setting, a compelling tale of survival, and don't mind a largely linear, stealth-focused adventure, then "A Plague Tale: Innocence" has undoubtedly delivered a significant and impactful experience in your 10 hours of play. You're likely on the cusp of the game's climactic moments, eager to see Amicia and Hugo's journey through to its harrowing end.