Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is the latest entry in the Plague Tale series from Asobo. Taking place 15 years before the last game, Resonance has players assume the role of Sophia – a character that appeared as an ally and ship captain in Plague Tale: Requiem. Where the previous games have focused heavily on stealth, Resonance moves more towards combat and puzzle-solving to be more in the shape of a Tomb Raider or Uncharted adventure. With stunning visuals, a dedicated voice cast and a runtime of around 10-15 hours, Resonance retains the core of the series while trying a new approach to gameplay.
The story of Resonance centres on Sophia, who is initially shown being utilised by nuns for her visions as a child. Rescued by her father, the plot soon pivots to an obsession with an island that is connected to her visions – especially by a friend of her father’s. We see Sophia grow and learn how to protect herself in the first hour, using combat arenas to practice moves that the series looks set to now dabble within. This is basically to attack, block, parry and counter against enemies with swords. While the depth of combat does not compare to a soulslike in either difficulty or depth, the process is not dissimilar in look or feel. Sophia is streets stronger than the protagonist previously and does not need to shy away from a battle.
Once character is established and the narrative takes a turn, we soon reach the Minotaur’s Island with our sidekick, Leni. She operates like an Atreus from God of War in being able to stand on switches or provide commentary (even help with puzzles, though that may be more like Mimir). Her main role is to fill the silence, as exploring those areas can feel very alone when not beset by attacking enemies. The gameplay really falls into two areas: puzzles and combat. When you reach a new room or area, the way to advance is to defeat the enemies or solve the puzzle. Between this, Sophia is running through biomes, scaling cliffs and searching for resonance points to upgrade skills.
The skill upgrades provide additional combat maneuvers to assist against the hordes. This includes a double-dodge, parrying red attacks and more to extend Sophia’s abilities. Being able to respec for free allows you to test these moves and see what works. Outside of skills, Sophia can wield 8 different blades that have unique effects. Charms, beads and accessories can also help refine your style, though there are no real outfit changes. This is not an RPG, and the level of customisation is appropriate for a linear type of game.
While yes, Resonance is linear, some of the puzzle areas are fairly open as you search for clues. This is where the book mechanic comes in, meaning Sophia can open up her journal and assess images she has created from her visions. In one particular section on a large beach, these clues were breadcrumbs leading me from one side to the next. While I could have potentially stumbled across all key points in time, the book made it feel like I was Indiana Jones (and made me seem smart – always a win). Puzzles usually involve moving a light source, figuring out a pattern or turning something the right way. I never really found myself stuck (and there is a help button) but did need to take time in surveying the area for clues. Seeing the puzzles from the intended perspective always worked best.
There are difficulty options, though I chose to stick with normal throughout. I could and maybe should have dialled it up to a harder difficulty as the combat was not extremely challenging (I was coming off Mortal Shell 2 and that one punished me) though the enemies are not there to break you down. They serve the narrative and ensure Sophia feels more capable than what the series has established previously.
How does the story land? I do not want to give away anything here as story is the heartbeat of the experience. Sophia and Leni have a wide number of obstacles to navigate and the typical emotional beats of the series are here. There are heartbreaking moments, inspiring moments and dark moments. While Requiem’s ending still sticks with me as the high point of storytelling in the series, many will find certain sections here that challenge the viewer. The opening quarter with characters that have taught her everything she knows is touching, though the second half of the game is where the story really shines. Being able to fight back really adds a layer of power to the plot that I didn’t realise I needed up until now. While not quite as memorable as the previous games, it’s a story I would engage with again.
Performance? The visuals are excellent and the frames are strong. I played on the base PlayStation 5 and couldn’t stop taking screenshots of horizons bursting with flames, seas and crowds of enemies. The soundtrack is top tier and rivals most of 2026, connecting well with the emotion and really setting a point in time. I didn’t encounter any major bugs except one where I was stuck between two cliffs. This was really more my fault as I went the wrong way. Resonance is a linear game at heart and when sticking to that track, you will sometimes think you’re watching a film instead.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a ripping yarn that establishes combat in its dangerous world. With a strong lead, excellent performances and a runtime that does not overstay its welcome, Asobo continues to deliver great games without sacrifice. With the ending, I do wonder where the narrative leads us. Isn’t that a sign of a winning formula?
Pros
Visuals are breathtaking
Combat adds a new layer
Cons
Story does not quite hit the heights of the previous game
