A Plague Tale: Innocence is a story-led adventure whose strongest draw is the bond between its two young leads, set against a bleak medieval world overrun by rats. Reviews are generally favorable: critics praise its emotional story and atmosphere, while noting that stealth and puzzles can become repetitive or clunky. It is a better fit for players seeking a linear, narrative-focused experience than for those looking for an open world or combat-first action.
What do reviews say about A Plague Tale: Innocence?
Critics’ overall verdict is favorable. Metacritic’s page currently labels the game “Generally Favorable” and lists an 81 critic score from 61 critic reviews. Its user score is 8.2 from 2,511 user ratings; that is a separate audience measure, not a critic score. Scores and review counts can change over time.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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A Plague Tale: Innocence (PS4) - PlayStation 4 | $46.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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A Plague Tale: Requiem PS5 | $37.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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A Plague Tale: Innocence (XB1) - Xbox One | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![A Plague Tale: Innocence - [PC Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Knwzi2o3L._SL160_.jpg)
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A Plague Tale: Innocence - [PC Online Game Code] | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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A Plague Tale: Innocence (Xbox One) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Individual reviews reflect the range behind that consensus. GameSpot awarded it 8/10 in its 2019 review, praising the emotive story, resilient characters, rat-swarm encounters, and war-torn setting. Push Square, by contrast, criticized stealth and puzzles for dragging, described the game as lacking polish, and felt it overstayed its welcome. These are reviewers’ judgments, not universal measures of every player’s experience.
What kind of game is it?
Set in plague-stricken medieval France, the game follows Amicia and her younger brother Hugo as they flee Inquisition soldiers and face dangerous swarms of rats. PlayStation describes it as a third-person adventure that “seamlessly blends action and stealth.” TIME reviewer Matthew Gault characterizes its structure as mostly linear, built around traversal, puzzles, and stealth rather than open-world exploration or sustained combat.
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- A dark third-person adventure set in plague-ridden France
- Guide orphans Amicia and Hugo though medieval villages as you evade deadly foes, both human and rat
- Avoid the gigantic swarms of rats to keep the young orphans alive, but manipulating the horde may provide bloody assistance on your journey
- Work with other orphans to escape the Inquisition and uncover the mystery of the plague that devastates medieval France
Light and fire help the siblings control or redirect rats, making the swarms central to both survival and environmental puzzles. The result is an adventure that uses stealth and problem-solving to create tension. Its appeal depends more on its characters, setting, and survival scenarios than on a wide variety of combat systems.
What are the game’s main strengths and weaknesses?
Story and sibling relationship
The emotional story and the relationship between Amicia and Hugo are the most consistent strengths in the cited reviews. The danger surrounding them gives the adventure a personal focus, and GameSpot specifically praised the cast and the characters’ resilience.
Rank #2
- Sequel to the award-winning adventure, A Plague Tale: Innocence
- A spectacular grounded tale twisted by supernatural forces
- Use a variety of tools, sneak, fight, or unleash hell and rats
- Stunning visuals combine with an enthralling score
- Includes The Protector Pack DLC: Special crossbow skin, exclusive cosmetics for Amicia, and bonus crafting material
Atmosphere and visual presentation
Reviewers also highlight the bleak medieval setting and the visual impact of the rat swarms. The world’s constant threats help create a distinctive atmosphere, even for players who find some of the underlying sequences familiar.
Stealth and puzzles
Stealth and environmental puzzles are core parts of the experience, but they are also its most commonly noted gameplay drawback. Some critics found sections repetitive, clunky, or insufficiently challenging. If you want encounters that keep introducing substantially different mechanics, these sequences may wear thin.
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Rank #3
- A dark third-person adventure set in plague-ridden France
- Guide orphans Amicia and Hugo though medieval villages as you evade deadly foes, both human and rat
- Avoid the gigantic swarms of rats to keep the young orphans alive, but manipulating the horde may provide bloody assistance on you journey
- Work with other orphans to escape the Inquisition and uncover the mystery of the plague that devastates medieval France
Pacing and length
Reviewers disagree about the campaign’s pacing. Hobby Consolas called it short, estimating about ten hours, and observed that some mechanics repeat. Push Square felt it overstayed its welcome. Those are individual impressions, not a guaranteed completion time or a measured playtime range.
Is A Plague Tale: Innocence worth playing?
It is likely worth considering if you value character-driven storytelling, a strong sense of place, and tense stealth-and-puzzle sequences. Its favorable critical reception is supported by recurring praise for the central relationship and atmosphere.
Rank #4
- A dark third-person adventure set in plague-ridden France
- Guide siblings Amicia and Hugo through medieval France as you evade deadly foes, both human and rat, and develop their bond through a strong, emotional story.
- Elude the gigantic swarms of rats to keep yourself alive, but manipulating the horde may also provide assistance against the Inquisition.
- Darkness is both friend and foe, hiding you from the Inquisition, but exposing you to the rats. Decide how to best use it, and your trusty slingshot, to survive.
- Breathtaking visuals combine with an enthralling score by industry veteran to bring a nightmarish vision of the middle ages.
It may be a weaker fit if repetitive stealth, limited challenge, or a mostly linear structure frustrates you. The reviews do not establish a single verdict on its pacing: some found it brief, while another felt it ran too long. Choose it for the story and setting rather than expecting an expansive action game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How violent is it?
The ESRB rates the US release Mature 17+ for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Violence. Its rating summary describes rats biting and eating victims, graphic corpses, and scenes of characters being impaled or struck. TIME reviewer Matthew Gault also warns about an early graphic dog death, writing on May 21, 2019: “The first thing you should know about A Plague Tale: Innocence is that, very early on, a dog is going to die.” That detail is especially relevant for players sensitive to animal harm.
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- A dark third-person adventure set in plague-ridden France.
- Work with other orphans to escape the Inquisition and uncover the mystery of the plague that devastates medieval France.
- Darkness is your friend and foe, hiding you from the Inquisition, but exposing you to the rats. You must decide how best to use it, and your trusty slingshot, to survive.
- Avoid the gigantic swarms of rats to keep the young orphans alive, but manipulating the horde may provide bloody assistance on your journey
Which platforms are listed?
The cited platform listings are not identical. PlayStation’s official listing is for PS4 and PS5, while GameSpot lists PS4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X. These listings establish platform coverage in those sources, not current store availability or technical parity between versions. Check the store page for your region and edition before buying.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
