Updated October 2026 · Played on Xbox Series X with controller · Story completed
I finished A Plague Tale: Requiem on Xbox Series X in about 22 hours, just before it left Game Pass. In one sentence: at times dark and challenging, with beautiful scenery and a gripping story. Here is what stood out, what dragged a little, and where you can play it now.
My verdict in short
| Platform played | Xbox Series X, controller |
| Time to finish | about 22 hours (story completed) |
| Best part | the dark, moving story and the varied settings |
| What bothered me | some fights drag on; small graphics glitches |
| Difficulty | fine; near the end I lowered it to focus on the story |
| Played part 1 first? | no – it worked as a standalone game |
| Recommendation | yes, if you like the mood of Alan Wake and the adventure of Tomb Raider |
The story: dark, gripping and moving
You play Amicia de Rune again, six months after the first game. Her little brother Hugo still carries the mysterious Macula, and the two travel south through 14th-century Provence in search of a cure – chased by soldiers and by swarms of plague rats.
The story is very dark, but it is also gripping and moving. I won’t spoil anything here. It kept me going until the end, which is why I lowered the difficulty in the last chapters: at that point I mainly wanted to know how it ends.
Familiar ideas, put together well
What struck me: Requiem combines many elements you know from other big series. Sneaking and climbing feel a bit like Tomb Raider, and there are moments that reminded me of Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry. The sea passages took me back to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and the scenes with Nordic warriors and giants gave me a small Assassin’s Creed Valhalla flashback. That mix of settings is one of the game’s strengths – and the scenery is beautiful throughout.
The rats
The rat swarms are the signature of the series, and on Xbox Series X there are huge numbers of them on screen. Their glowing eyes reminded me of the termites from the German animated film “In der Arche ist der Wurm drin” – a small childhood trauma came back there.
What could be better
- Fights: Some combat scenes drag on a bit.
- Graphics glitches: Now and then there were small errors, for example water inside a ship. Nothing that really bothered me.
Difficulty
The difficulty felt right for me for most of the game. Requiem lets you adjust it at any time, so if you are mainly there for the story, you can turn it down without restarting.
Do you need to play A Plague Tale: Innocence first?
For full immersion it makes sense, because Requiem refers back to the first game here and there. I haven’t played Innocence yet (it is waiting in my Steam library), and Requiem was still gripping and easy to follow on its own. I will catch up on part 1 and add my impressions.
Where to play it now
A Plague Tale: Requiem left Xbox Game Pass on October 15, 2026. Your save files stay if you buy the game later on Xbox.
| Store | Price (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Xbox Store | $59.99 |
| Steam (PC) | $49.99 |
| Steam: A Plague Tale Bundle (Innocence + Requiem) | $17.49 instead of $69.99 (−75 %) until October 24, 2026 |
The game is also available on PS5 and as a cloud version on Nintendo Switch. If you haven’t played Innocence yet, the Steam bundle with both games is currently the cheapest way in.
What comes next in the series
The next game, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, came out on August 27, 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and is in Game Pass. It is a prequel set 15 years before Innocence and tells the story of Sophia, whom you meet in Requiem.
Who should play it
- Yes: You like dark, story-driven games – the mood is a touch of Alan Wake mixed with Tomb Raider.
- Yes: You enjoy sneaking and puzzle-solving more than non-stop action.
- Maybe not: Rats and grim scenes are really not your thing.
FAQ
How long is A Plague Tale: Requiem?
It took me about 22 hours to finish the story.
Do I need to play the first game?
It helps, but Requiem works on its own.
Is A Plague Tale: Requiem still on Game Pass?
No, it left on October 15, 2026. The prequel Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is in Game Pass.
Sources: Xbox Store · Steam (prices, October 19, 2026) · Wikipedia (Resonance)
