Preparing for Loss After Losing Our Innocence: A Chat with A Plague Tale: Requiem’s Game Director Kévin Choteau

We were first introduced to Amicia’s brother Hugo a few years back in an epic, rat-filled adventure. The Plague Tale of Innocence. Today we’re incredibly excited to rejoin the two of them on their next adventure, A Plague Tale: Requiem, setting them off across a new sprawling quest that sounds even more perilous than what they’ve endured so far. To learn more about what’s in store, Xbox Wire France had a chance to sit down with Game Director Kévin Choteau to talk about the newly released A Plague Tale: RequiemThe challenges involved in following-up a hit game and rats

After InnocenceA Plague Tale’s second half has an even more sinister subtitle. RequiemDid it make sense?

The main theme in the first game was innocence. We meet Amicia and Hugo with all their childlike innocence and when we get to the end of the game, it’s the end of that innocence, they can never be who they were before these events. This was their first phase of life. Requiem is. It is. RequiemThe book deals with difficult topics, including death in all its forms. It could be about their death in innocence or the daily death they face, as well as the suffering that Amicia must endure to live, and its impact on Amicia. I don’t think so. Requiem, if it’s a funeral song, it’s also an ode to life, it’s closing a chapter to start something, like going to a funeral and saying goodbye to someone while preparing for a new day to begin. Although these are hard themes to deal with, the light is always there.

You decided to move the second game from the southwest part of France. This is why?

With InnocenceWe were seeking authenticity in all aspects, including our characters as well as the surrounding environment. The best way to achieve that was by having the title taken place in our area. This is the For RequiemSo we set out to discover the Mediterranean and the southeast. These regions are where you can feel the impact of different civilizations, such as those with Moorish or Byzantine roots. While the original game was played in winter, the second one is held during summer. It adds contrast to the scene. The landscapes are bright, vibrant, sunny, but the surrounding world is dark, harsh, and full of blood.

Is there a potential new threat to the region?

The region saw many highwaymen populating the routes, in particular in 1349. The Hundred Years War was a little more peaceful after the Plague. Enlisted soldiers were able to retire and form large companies with brigands. We wanted to highlight this aspect of Middle Ages, which results in new forms of adversity.

Amicia sees the end in InnocenceThis gives her an even more formidable arsenal. We would love to know more about her arsenal. Requiem?

End of InnocenceAmicia, her older brother, had killed some people, mostly in an attempt to live. In this game, she is clearly more seasoned, better prepared, she doesn’t let herself be surprised anymore and this is reflected in her abilities in terms of gameplay. You can attack her in close combat and counter-attacks, as well as using a crossbow later. Her slingshot, originally a toy, is no longer her primary weapon. She can now use warrior weapons. All of this will not be for free. It will have an enormous impact on her evolution and her psyche. She will begin to ask questions about her past, present, and future. Hugo will also be affected by this, as Hugo will feel his sister more empowered and want to live like her. But the problem with Hugo is that his power is much greater, his potential for murder and destruction is much higher and it can be very dangerous to play with fire…

Are we to expect an action-oriented title?

We wanted players more freedom. InnocenceThe options available to resolve a particular situation were often very limited and only offered one option. Many sequences can now be approached either in a high-key, warlike, or a combination of both. We have also added a system that will make Amicia’s abilities evolve according to your play style. So, it will be up to you to decide whether you want to go for the infiltration route or for other more brutal solutions…

This sequel adds more rats to the story. What does all this mean?

It is impressive to see 300,000.000 rats on the screen. This is especially true when they create a tsunami that destroys everything around them. S allowed us to develop new systems for rats. They can move more naturally, overcome obstacles and climb many floors.|S, we were able to create new systems for the rats: their attacks and movements are much more organic, they can overcome obstacles, climb several floors, etc. This has created a dynamic that allows them to move much faster and more efficiently. The result is a new dynamic, they are no longer static at ground level and they can surprise you in many ways… In terms of spectacle as well as gameplay, this opens up a lot of possibilities, it’s a real pleasure to continue doing scary things with our rats…

You chose history to anchor your universe. This is why?

You can live out the stories of your characters without actually setting up an entire world. If fantasy can be great, it also requires creating rules, to explain a universe, its construction, its people… The same can be said of science-fiction. We wanted a real world that allowed us to discuss the characters’ relationships. We would be forced to discuss the universe if we created it. We have some latitude in that we can rely not only on historic reality but also popular belief.

Its latest productions are (The Plague Tale of Innocence, Microsoft Flight Simulator, A Plague Tale: RequiemAsobo is known for his virtuosity. Are you proud to have this talent? Do you feel the same pressure when you get back to work: a feeling of needing to be better every day?

To InnocenceWe didn’t have to do any of the tasks. And even if the game had been a failure, we wouldn’t have suffered too much. The public received the game in an amazing way, and then things turned around. Microsoft Flight Simulator, which had exceptional scores, an incredible community and which is a game in perpetual evolution, with a continuous news… So obviously, today, we are less serene, we wonder if we have created the sequel that players want and if we will live up to the image of Asobo

The Plague Tale of InnocenceGame Pass was released several months later, so it arrived several months later. RequiemIt is now available on day one. Did the success of the original game’s availability with Game Pass contribute to this decision?

We’re very happy that InnocenceGame Pass also included this feature. It introduced the game to a lot of people who didn’t know about it, it broadened the audience very much and as developers, offering the game to as many people as possible is what we’re interested in. So we’re happy that RequiemGame Pass will now be available on the first day. InnocenceYou will have the ability to find out about our universe directly and many people will discover that license via this route. It’s thanks to the players and their reception of Innocence that we thought it was interesting to make a sequel, I can’t thank them enough, it’s really thanks to them that we are here today. It is my sincere hope that you enjoy what I have created. We put so much effort into it.

What do you think about Game Pass as a gamer? Did you make any surprising discoveries when browsing the Game Pass library recently?

My little boy is nearly seven years old and I found all of the things with him. Paw PatrolGames that you added to Game Pass! That’s for the family side, but personally, Scorn was recently released, and I know I’ll play it… Actually, I try a little bit everything that comes out on Game Pass honestly. Surprises are what I love!

Thanks to Kévin for taking the time to talk with us. A Plague Tale: RequiemS Windows and Xbox Game Pass PC Game Pass as well.|S, Windows, as well as with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta).

A Plague Tale: Requiem

Focus Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆
224

★★★★★

$59.99

Far across the sea, an island calls…
Begin a journey of heartbreak into an unimaginable, supernaturally twisted world.

Hugo and Amicia escape their destroyed homeland and travel to the south in search of new cities and regions. There, they attempt to start a new life and control Hugo’s curse.

But, when Hugo’s powers reawaken, death and destruction return in a flood of devouring rats. They are forced to flee and the siblings look for the island where Hugo may be saved.

Find out the costs of saving loved ones in desperate times for survival. You can either strike from the shadows, or unleash hell. This will allow you to overcome foes with various weapons, tools, and unarthly abilities.

● 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

A Plague Tale: Requiem – Windows

Focus Entertainment

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Far across the sea, an island calls…
Begin a journey of heartbreak into an unimaginable, supernaturally twisted world.

Hugo and Amicia escape their destroyed homeland and travel to the south in search of new cities and regions. There, they attempt to start a new life and control Hugo’s curse.

But, when Hugo’s powers reawaken, death and destruction return in a flood of devouring rats. They are forced to flee and the siblings look for the island where Hugo may be saved.

Find out the costs of saving loved ones in desperate times for survival. Use a range of tools, weapons and supernatural powers to defeat foes or create hell.

● 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