Review - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Nikolas Tolgyesi

1 day ago

5 min read

Developer: Asobo Studio

Publisher: Focus Entertainment

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Reviewed on: Xbox Series X

As a massive fan of the Plague Tale series, I was beside myself when I got the news that I was going to have the opportunity to review a title in such a well-known franchise. I will break it down, but let me just say, what an absolute masterpiece Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy was. Having the chance to cover critically acclaimed and praised titles almost back-to-back is an honor I am incredibly thankful for.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy sees players play as Sophie, a plunderer who unknowingly uncovers secrets related to an ancient mythological nightmare that will send her on an unforgettable journey. When she discovers that answers to this mysterious story lie on an island scattered with ruins and archaic structures, Sophie makes landfall and begins exploring.

As clues are collected, it becomes clear that very dark and deadly events took place thousands of years ago, and the past has come back to wreak havoc once more. Sophie navigates the deserted paradise, or so she thought, until unexpected visitors show up, complicating her search for answers. Through combat, quick wits, and a keen eye, she will eventually uncover the entire tale, learning that what waits at the center is an ancient powerhouse ready for battle. Can you survive?

Shining Light on the Story

Creating a gripping story is a monumental task at the best of times. When there is pressure to deliver the third game of a blockbuster series, you know the writers were in hyperdrive. Not only did the story flow like water, but the twists and turns were all perfectly connected, as each detail provided depth and direction to each quest. At regular intervals throughout, you come face-to-face with a faceless, morbid, disgusting worm that will stop at nothing to put an end to your adventure.

While it took me several attempts to carve out a successful route, I simply could not get enough of the abomination. It kept me engaged the entire time. What a creepily fantastic touch. You will also need to take advantage of light at any opportunity you get. Seemingly unimportant, it will be the key to your survival and can uncover clues that are hiding in the pitch blackness.

Mechanical Marvels

When I started Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, I was not expecting to use a zipline, grappling hook, and mine-cart all in one playthrough. The way you can climb and descend so smoothly throughout speaks to how well polished the mechanics were from start to finish. The zipline was just freaking awesome. Some of the lines you get to traverse are quite literally breathtaking, as the view really captures how stunningly vast the game is. Another item I want to make sure I highlight is the combat system. It can be so challenging to create a fighting system that not only flows but also feels natural. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy did an immaculate job fine-tuning the fighting sequences, delivering an interactive and powerful encounter every single time.

A Breathtaking Nightmare

I wanted to touch on the atmosphere because the detail and effort put into showcasing the world around the story was simply incredible. Depending on how much you like to explore, there is so much to take in regardless of where you are. Starting on the beach when you land on the island, you can turn and take in the open sea long before the worm has you in its sights. If you want to explore the beach, you can journey for quite a while before turning back. As you climb the jagged cliffs and mountains, you almost always have a view of the staggering landscape, spreading out for what feels like forever. At certain points, you are climbing staircases that feel like they lead only further into the nothingness. If you pause to look around, you quickly realize you are still looking out over a very overwhelming creation.

Mirror Mirror, on the Wall

The puzzles in Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy made use of mirrors during your time in the jungle. Whether these mirrors were pointing through man-made caves or guiding a beam of light to a switch on a monument, you needed to angle them strategically to solve the riddle. Using light to defeat darkness is a common theme, but to incorporate reflections, single rays of light, and the need to be observant into one was a unique twist on the concept I really enjoyed. At several stages, you will think you are in total darkness, but keep your eyes peeled, as the light isn’t always immediately visible but is waiting to be discovered.

Colorful Clarity

Colors are a funny thing when it comes to gaming as a colorblind player. With a few dark tinges, the experience can quickly change from a sweet dream to a dreadful nightmare. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy did something I have seen very few times across any game; they used bright tones almost exclusively, illuminating my experience. The vivid palette meant I was able to clearly distinguish between dark and light and use the environment to guide me through my journey. For example, when you are being chased by the repulsive worm-like creature, you are regularly on dark paths. In the past, when trying to navigate this, I would have to restart several times, as the entire scene was one shade lighter than black. Thanks to the color choices of Asobo Studio, I was able to easily spot the difference in the world and stay out of the creature’s jaws.

Controlling Sophie’s Destiny

The controller layout in Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, while maybe not the most one-handed friendly, ended up working amazingly well. As a left-handed gamer, using the grappling hook meant moving my hand in a natural motion to the left trigger, easily completing the action. This was effortlessly possible even though my first thought may have been to remap the button to the front-facing controls. In order to play modern games, I have to lay my hand out over the controller and use my thumb to control the right joystick. Since that is a mandatory action, setting the interact button to the R3/RS means the button is already right under my finger, ready to be pressed with ease. With all combat buttons on the front-facing buttons, it meant that slaying opponents was a silky smooth and satisfying event.

Illuminating the Victory

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy did a spectacular job bringing together a heart-pounding story and gameplay that drives emotion and precision. Let the island bring you to the center of an ancient battle that still rages on into the present day. Leave your fears on the mainland, or the creatures lurking will silence them for you.