Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Brings Sword Combat and Heavy Misery to the Franchise
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy offers a charming mix of puzzle-solving and new sword combat, though its relentlessly bleak second half dampens an otherwise engaging prequel.
Asobo Studio returns with Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, a prequel that shifts focus to the hardened smuggler Sophia while attempting to mix familiar puzzle-solving with new sword-based action. Published by Focus Entertainment and launching on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, the title captures that distinct double-A charm by taking creative design risks that larger studios often sand down. Players explore sun-kissed Minoan ruins, tackle tactile light-reflection puzzles, and enjoy genuine chemistry between Sophia and fellow thief Leni during the game's lighter opening hours.
Yet, much like its predecessors, the adventure stumbles in its final stretch by leaning too heavily into relentless misery and exhausted tropes of trauma. As Sophia descends deeper into labyrinthine ruins, the narrative trades its earlier charm for a barrage of grim imagery and exhausting emotional anguish, making the closing acts feel more like an endurance test than a satisfying payoff. Even a robust perk system and flexible respec options for combat cannot completely mask the tonal whiplash of watching well-heeled characters butcher enemies between scenes of agonizing despair.
Despite these pacing and narrative missteps, Asobo deserves credit for maintaining an independent spirit and refusing to rely on generic design templates. The absence of hand-holding during exploration and the tactile nature of its puzzle design give the world a memorable, lived-in texture that modern action-adventures frequently lack. It is a striking experience that shines brightest when letting players explore ancient mechanics, even if the relentless bleakness of its finale ultimately undercuts its best moments.
Tags: Action Adventure, Asobo Studio, PC Gaming, Console Gaming, Game Reviews
Original article: Eurogamer