After the success of A Plague Tale: Innocence in 2019 and its new-gen versions in 2021, Asobo Studio is set to release its highly anticipated sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, later in 2022. The game looks set to continue with its predecessor's focus on narrative and stealth action, along with some newly added features. Fans of the original already have an idea of what they'd like to see in the sequel.
In March 2022, a TV series based on A Plague Tale: Innocence was announced. Considering the announcement of the TV show, and the fact that A Plague Tale: Requiem is due to come out later this year, the franchise could be set for a mainstream breakout. The Last of Us-style narrative of A Plague Tale: Innocence resonated with fans and critics, and there is much excitement about its upcoming sequel. While the first game did receive critical acclaim, there are some improvements and additions that fans want to see in its sequel.
Amicia's Combat Options
A Plague Tale: Innocence handles combat in an interesting way, where the protagonist, Amicia, relies on her slingshot and tools to defeat enemies for the most part. Players aren't able to go toe-to-toe with most enemies, especially in the earlier portions of the game. This necessitates the use of stealth to cleverly take out enemies using everything Amicia has at her disposal. However, for the sequel, combat could go in a different direction.
While the combat in the first game cleverly plays into Amicia's innocence and lack of experience, that innocence is arguably lost during the events of the game. In A Plague Tale: Requiem, combat should allow Amicia to employ more direct offensive tactics against enemies to represent her increased experience. Fortunately, based on the footage so far, it seems that Amicia will have a few more options at her disposal, including a crossbow.
Open-Ended Encounters
Some situations in A Plague Tale: Innocence can only be resolved in a particular way. In the early parts of the game, numerous encounters can only be completed by using stealth and avoiding combat. While stealth appears to be a major focus of the gameplay in A Plague Tale: Requiem, fans would like to see fewer sections of the game that force players to use specific tactics to overcome challenges.
A Plague Tale: Requiem should accommodate players' preferences during encounters, whether that entails avoiding enemies outright or engaging them head-on. This increased level of player choice would give players more control over combat situations and make A Plague Tale: Requiem more replayable.
More NPC Interactions
A Plague Tale: Innocence is a linear experience for the most part. It tells the one set story, though there are some minor opportunities to go off the beaten track and explore. Some collectibles require players to diverge from the critical path. One of the most interesting but underused aspects of the game is the ability to interact with NPCs and decide their fate, which is something Asobo Studio should explore further in the sequel.
A few times throughout A Plague Tale: Innocence, Amicia has the opportunity to save NPCs, notably enemy soldiers. In Chapter 5, for example, players can save a soldier from being eaten by rats. These interactions are minimal, however, and they should be expanded on in the sequel. They should take the form of longer side quests and their outcomes should impact the game world.
Hugo's Powers Should Be Expanded
One of the biggest twists in A Plague Tale: Innocence is the reveal that Hugo, Amicia's little brother, can control the rats seen throughout the game. This helps keep the gameplay in the latter parts of the game fresh and allows players to exert more direct control over taking down enemies. Hugo can control them to move them out of the way and defeat enemies, a mechanic that is crucial to the last boss fight.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is set six months after the first game, so in this time Hugo could have become more accustomed to his powers. This should result in Hugo's existing powers -- such as Imperium, which allows him to control rats -- being much more potent. Hugo should also gain new powers to keep his side of the gameplay interesting. Something to destroy obstacles or enhance his and Amicia's stealth abilities would make sense.
A Bigger Focus on Exploration
One of the main things fans want to see in the next game is more options for exploration. A Plague Tale: Innocence has plenty of collectibles and resources to find, but none of these are very far out of the way. The sequel should look to expand its world. While a true open world might not be necessary, larger environments that encourage and reward exploration would be well-received by fans. A larger game world would also work well with more open-ended combat and a larger volume of NPC interactions and side quests.
A Plague Tale: Requiem doesn't have a release date yet, but fans are excited to play it later in 2022. While the first game is well-liked, Requiem has an opportunity to build on elements that are more restricted in the first title. A larger-feeling world populated with more characters, in addition to gameplay improvements, could very well make the new horror-survival adventure a big hit that surpasses its predecessor.