For a narrative centered on the themes of illumination and shadow, it is fitting that “Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy” serves as a spinoff aiming to break free from the shadows of the main installments. Developer Asobo Studio has omitted much of the recognizable content to delve into exactly what a Plague Tale narrative can encompass.
“Resonance” does not include series protagonists Amicia and Hugo. The timeline is set 16 years prior to the happenings of the previous game, well before the siblings escape a war-torn medieval France, pursued by Inquisition soldiers. In “Resonance,” you take on the role of Sophia and discover how she evolves into the individual who aids Amicia in “A Plague Tale: Requiem.” You learn about her childhood kidnapping by the Inquisition, where she was administered a poison that granted her visions of a peculiar island. You uncover how her father, the head of a smuggling crew, located the island and perished there while searching for both treasure and a remedy for Sophia’s visions. You also find out how Faro, her father’s successor, continues to explore the island, aiming to reveal its mysteries.
In the initial chapters of “Resonance,” a now-teenaged Sophia grows increasingly exasperated with Faro. The smuggler leader consistently refuses to take her to the island, fueled by the escalating toll of casualties during their pursuits. Overcome with guilt, Sophia ceases to share her visions. These chapters also highlight “Resonance’s” central theme: combat.