Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy marks a departure from the puzzle-stealth gameplay of its predecessors, shifting focus to a third-person action-adventure experience starring Sophia, a popular character introduced in the second game. This prequel explores her past, moving away from the plague and rat-infested historical France to a Mediterranean setting filled with treasure hunting and a new sword combat system.
The combat mechanics emphasize offense, allowing players to fill an enemy's stagger bar not only through parrying and dodging but also by interacting with the environment. Grabbing and throwing random objects at enemies provides a satisfying impact, and a dedicated kick move can stagger opponents, break shields, or even push them off ledges. This kick ability was a particular highlight, becoming the first upgrade Sophia received using "resonance points" earned from combat or collecting seashells. These points, along with swords and jewelry that offer stat boosts, are found in side passages or optional puzzles, rewarding exploration within the game's otherwise linear structure.
Players navigate through Minoan ruins, which are gated by puzzles typically involving manipulating light or activating sequential floor symbols. While generally straightforward, some puzzles require significant leaps of logic. The game's structure mirrors that of many cinematic-style videogames, featuring environmental traversal like squeezing through tight spaces to reveal vistas and sliding down slopes to facilitate asset loading for the next area. The review compares this to a mid-budget Uncharted, a significant shift from the mid-budget medieval Last of Us comparison often drawn for the earlier Plague Tale titles.
A predictable structure is noted as the game's primary weakness. Despite Sophia's tools for uncovering clues and hidden messages, each new area is predictably occupied by rival soldiers or precarious scaffolding left by previous treasure hunters. This constant sense of being outpaced undermines the exploration aspect, as the narrative formula relies on the player never truly succeeding in the race for treasure.
Visually, Resonance is a gorgeous title. Character models are detailed with expressive faces, and the contrast between bright outdoor environments and claustrophobic, spore-lit ruins creates a strong atmosphere. Composer Olivier Deriviere returns with a score that incorporates Greek-Cypriot chorals, fitting the new Mediterranean setting. Unlike previous entries, the checkpoints in Resonance are well-placed, preventing the frustration of repeated section restarts.
The game also continues the series' trend of increasing grimness. What begins as a lighthearted pirate treasure hunt evolves into a mythic journey towards darkness by its final hours, effectively functioning as a horror game. This shift, while potentially jarring for newcomers, preserves the series' characteristic bleakness and ambiguous nature, leaving players with lingering questions akin to its predecessors and adding an arthouse sensibility to its otherwise action-oriented blockbuster feel.