Summary
- A Plague Tale series praised for unique 14th-century setting and traditional stealth gameplay.
- Asobo Studio hasn't confirmed if a third installment is in development or not yet.
- Indika, an indie game with themes similar to A Plague Tale, may interest fans while they wait.
Though it only consists of two installments so far, the A Plague Tale series 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 to A Plague Tale: Innocence and 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 the A Plague Tale games stand out in a sea of third-person action-adventure titles.
Since the release of Requiem in 2022, fans have patiently been waiting for updates on the future of the A Plague Tale franchise. Unfortunately, though, the series' creator, Asobo Studio, hasn't made clear if a third installment in the franchise is even in development. While the Plague Tale developer did reveal it's working on a new project with French publisher Focus Entertainment, it's shied away from confirming if this is a sequel to Requiem or not. Even if it does exist, however, chances are that A Plague Tale 3 won't be released anytime soon. As such, fans may want to check out some other third-person games similar to the Plague Tale series in the meantime - specifically, an indie title called Indika.
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A Plague Tale Fans Might Want to Give Indika a Shot
One example of a game that A Plague Tale fans might find interest in is Indika, a well-received indie title that 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 the Plague Tale games, Indika takes place in the 14th century; however, instead of Guyenne, France, it's set in an alternative Russia.
What Indika is All About
Indika puts 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 in Indika is 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 in the beloved Plague Tale games.
Indika uses 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 positively weird indie game falls 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 the Plague Tale series, the themes that Indika explores are reminiscent of the ones that Asobo Studio touches on in Innocence and Requiem. All three of these titles brush upon complex subjects like religion, defiance of authority, and the corruption of innocence, among other things. These themes give the medieval fantasy games a mature, thought-provoking tone that many titles of their kind don't often possess.
Players who loved the Plague Tale games for their stealth-focused gameplay more so than their stories may not find that much interest in Indika. However, for those who enjoy games with historical settings and well-written plots akin to Asobo Studio's action-adventure titles, Indika might be right up their alley. Odd-Meter's 2024 indie game may be an acquired taste, but for some A Plague Tale fans, 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
- Released
- May 14, 2019
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.
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Asobo Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Focus Home Interactive
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Switch, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 10 Hours
- Metascore
- 83
