Summary
Though it only consists of two installments so far, theA Plague Taleseries has quietly risen up the ranks to become one of the more well-received stealth video game franchises in recent memory. Much of the praise given toA Plague Tale: Innocenceand its direct sequel,A Plague Tale: Requiem, has largely stemmed from how unique both titles are in comparison to their contemporaries. Their distinct 14th-century setting and fantastical spin on the rat plagues of that era, combined with their emphasis on traditional stealth gameplay and condensed, linear storytelling, make theA Plague Talegames stand out in a sea of third-person action-adventure titles.
Since the release ofRequiemin 2022, fans have patiently been waiting for updates on the future of theA Plague Talefranchise. Unfortunately, though, the series' creator, Asobo Studio, hasn’t made clear if a third installment in the franchise is even in development. WhilethePlague Taledeveloper did reveal it’s working on a new projectwith French publisher Focus Entertainment, it’s shied away from confirming if this is a sequel toRequiemor not. Even if it does exist, however, chances are thatA Plague Tale 3won’t be released anytime soon. As such, fans may want to check out some other third-person games similar to thePlague Taleseries in the meantime - specifically, an indie title calledIndika.
A Plague Tale Fans Might Want to Give Indika a Shot
One example ofa game thatA Plague Talefans might find interest in isIndika, awell-received indie titlethat flew under the radar back when it was released in May 2024. Developed by Odd-Meter and published by 11 bit studios, this bizarre, third-person adventure game doesn’t share many direct similarities with Asobo Studio’s acclaimed stealth titles in terms of gameplay, but it does bear a resemblance in terms of setting. After all, like thePlague Talegames,Indikatakes place in the 14th century; however, instead of Guyenne, France, it’s set in an alternative Russia.
What Indika is All About
Indikaputs players in the shoes of a young nun who forms an unlikely bond with the Devil himself and experiences a surreal journey of self-discovery, as she ventures beyond the walls of the monastery she lives in. For a video game, the story inIndikais rather unconventional, since it seems like a plot more suited to something along the lines of an art-house movie. The way it’s presented, however, is even more unorthodox than the story itself, especially compared to the traditionally directed cutscenes inthe belovedPlague Talegames.
Indikauses a variety of strange gameplay segments to convey the experiences of its protagonist, from 2D pixel art mini-games and platforming sections to puzzle-solving moments and even collectible-catching sequences. However, due to the overall lack of combat, this positivelyweird indie gamefalls more in line with the walking simulator genre rather than the action-adventure one.
Indika Shares Some Themes With the Plague Tale Games
Though its story and gameplay mechanics may not directly resemble those found in thePlague Taleseries, the themes thatIndikaexplores are reminiscent of the ones that Asobo Studio touches on inInnocenceandRequiem. All three of these titles brush upon complex subjects like religion, defiance of authority, and the corruption of innocence, among other things. These themes givethe medieval fantasy gamesa mature, thought-provoking tone that many titles of their kind don’t often possess.
Players who loved thePlague Talegames for their stealth-focused gameplay more so than their stories may not find that much interest inIndika. However, for those who enjoygames with historical settingsand well-written plots akin to Asobo Studio’s action-adventure titles,Indikamight be right up their alley. Odd-Meter’s 2024 indie game may be an acquired taste, but for someA Plague Talefans, it could be just the thing they’re looking for to tide themselves over until a new installment in the series gets announced.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
WHERE TO PLAY
Follow the grim tale of young Amicia and her little brother Hugo, in a heartrending journey through the darkest hours of history. Hunted by Inquisition soldiers and surrounded by unstoppable swarms of rats, Amicia and Hugo will come to know and trust each other. As they struggle to survive against overwhelming odds, they will fight to find purpose in this brutal, unforgiving world.1348. The plague ravages the Kingdom of France. Amicia and her younger brother Hugo are pursued by the Inquisition through villages devastated by the disease. On their way, they will have to join forces with other children, and evade swarms of rats using fire and light. Aided only by the link that binds their fates together, they will face untold horrors in their struggle to survive. As their adventure begins… the time of innocence ends.
