Resonance : A Plague Tale Legacy - A Gem in midst of bulky games
REVIEWSAUTHOR - SPAWN2026
Spawn
9/11/20265 min read
Before You Read
Before you read this review, I think you should know what kind of gamer I am and what kind of games I like. Primarily, I'm into action RPGs as well as action-adventure games. Soulslikes are one of my favorite genres. I hope this background helps you understand the perspective behind my review.
Gameplay
I'm starting with gameplay because it's the core factor that makes or breaks a title. In this case, it's even more crucial since the mechanics have completely shifted from prior entries. In previous games, the focus was heavily on stealth and puzzle-solving. Here, combat takes center stage: you fight through hordes of enemies using sophisticated movesets, precise parries, and timed blocks. Because enemies frequently attack in groups, failing to time your defensive actions properly will quickly leave you overwhelmed.
Combat is the most significant change to the formula, but exploration was also surprisingly well executed. While the progression remains linear, the environments offer rewarding side paths where you can discover unique charms or new weapons to enhance your playstyle.
The game also features environmental platforming and puzzles. While the puzzles aren't overly complex or brain-melting, they offer a pleasant level of difficulty to break up the action.
Additionally, there is a straightforward skill tree featuring six core skills to unlock. Each skill costs Resonance Points, the primary currency in the game, which are found throughout the world or awarded for clearing enemy encounters and levels.
Story & Exploration
Moving on to the narrative: the story is easily one of the strongest aspects of the game and stands neck-and-neck with the previous entries. It grabs your attention right from the start and maintains momentum until the end, delivering plenty of twists along the way.
Serving as a prequel set 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem, the game follows a younger Sophia on a quest linked to her mysterious childhood visions and an ancient Minoan curse. I'll leave the narrative description there, as revealing any more would cross into spoiler territory.
The campaign is structured across 13 chapters and took me roughly 15 hours to complete.
One area that fell short was the pacing. The game occasionally gets stuck in repetitive loops (either long stretches of puzzle-solving or dense combat sequences) without a balanced rhythm, especially early on. Towards the final chapters, the platforming sections ramp up significantly compared to the rest of the game. A more even distribution of these elements across the chapters would have improved the overall flow.
One area that fell short was the pacing. The game occasionally gets stuck in repetitive loops, either long stretches of puzzle-solving or dense combat sequences, without a balanced rhythm, especially early on. Towards the final chapters, the platforming sections ramp up significantly compared to the rest of the game. A more even distribution of these elements across the chapters would have improved the overall flow.
Performance
I played the game on Xbox Series X and experienced great performance throughout. It ran smoothly with no noticeable frame drops or crashes.
I tested both Quality and Performance modes. Quality mode looks stunning, but I spent most of my time in Performance mode to get higher framerates for precise parry timing. Even in Performance mode, the visual quality remains impressive.
Combat Mechanics
Let's take a deeper look at the combat. As mentioned, the mechanics are a major departure from earlier titles. Personally, I loved this change, especially given my preference for parry- and dodge-focused gameplay. However, I initially started on Nightmare difficulty and found it poorly tuned: enemies were so aggressive that I was forced to constantly block or parry without any opening to counterattack. Lowering the difficulty significantly improved the combat flow and overall enjoyment.
To assist in battle, you can acquire various swords, each featuring unique abilities. Obtaining these weapons requires solving environmental puzzles and finding hidden components scattered throughout the world. Each sword serves a distinct purpose during specific phases of the game, though core combat always centers on proper timing. For players who just want to experience the narrative, Easy mode offers an auto-parry and auto-dodge feature.
Introduction
All right, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment. If you've played the previous two games in this series, you might think you know what to expect, but you'd be wrong. Let me help you understand what this game is about, because it's quite a shift from its predecessors.
Resonance came out in late August, and I didn't go into it with high expectations. It's not because I disliked the earlier titles (I absolutely loved them), but I wasn't sure if the team was heading in the right direction for the franchise, especially since I prefer action games where parrying and blocking are your bread and butter. To my surprise, it blew past all my expectations. While the game had a couple of minor issues, overall it felt like a polished, focused 15-hour experience, a perfect length in an era where games are getting bloated.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the details of Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.
Audio & Visuals
The audiovisual presentation is outstanding. The soundtrack and background score are phenomenal, at times reminding me of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and perfectly complement the action on screen.
Visually, the game is fantastic, featuring gorgeous landscapes, highly detailed character models, and impressive overall fidelity. It is a genuine visual treat from start to finish.
Verdict
Overall, I had a fantastic time with Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. The production value feels on par with a PlayStation first-party studio title. While Nightmare mode needs better tuning and the pacing stumbles occasionally, the satisfying combat mechanics, compelling narrative, and striking visuals make it a stand-out experience.
While the puzzles could have used more depth, they serve their purpose well enough without getting frustrating.
If you're looking for a focused, high-quality action-adventure that respects your time, I whole-heartedly recommend Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. It is a worthy prequel to an excellent series.
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