- Games
- Action Games
Big in 2026 | A more capable character, new setting and stylistic changes make this one to watch
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
Share
Share by:
- Copy link
- X
If you've played the previous games in the Plague Tale franchise, Innocence and Requiem, you'll immediately notice a big difference between them and the upcoming Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. There's only one person on screen in most screenshots. Amicia and Hugo have been replaced by the stalwart smuggler Sophia, whom Requiem introduced to the world. Set 15 years before the events of that game, Resonance follows Sophia as she explores a Minotaur's island. Flipping back and forth between Plague Tale's medieval setting and the ancient Minoan era will be part of the game, with events in the antediluvian period affecting the island in Sophia's time.
So, what's the beef with the minotaur? Well, this particularly angry hunk of stewing steak is, it seems, something to do with the Macula, the ancient curse that flows through the blood of certain families. Speaking to us, Asobo Studio's CEO and game director David Dedeine explained, "the Macula has been connected to the world and to humanity since the dawn of time", adding that it "has no fixed or definitive form; it evolves with humanity’s fears, psychology, and culture. As such, the Macula hasn't always been linked to plague-infected rats, and the one in Resonance absolutely is not." However, Dedeine remained tight-lipped about the form the Macula takes in Resonance, so we can't say for certain whether the Minotaur is its manifestation in Resonance.
Running is not an option
Big in 2026 spotlights the 50 most anticipated games of the year, with exclusive developer access and deep dives. Join us daily for new previews, and visit the Big in 2026 coverage hub to stay on top of it all!
With the new protagonist comes a new emphasis on combat. As two protagonists have become one, Sophia appears to be a much stronger protagonist than Amicia, for whom combat was typically not their first choice.
You may like-
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis wants to make Lara Croft's iconic T-rex fight feel like the first time all over again
-
Soma successor Ontos is "like Shadow of the Colossus" says its creative director: The moon-set horror is "built around the looming excitement and dread of what the next big Experiment will be like"
-
The Blood of Dawnwalker devs "were afraid that people wouldn't want to play as human Coen" so it set out to create "a combat system that can set a new standard for RPGs"
Sophia, by contrast, was raised by a band of brigands with a sword in her hand, so she's not one to avoid fisticuffs (or, indeed, swordicuffs). Expanding Sophia's character is a key focus of this game, says Dedeine. "The goal was absolutely not to create a second Amicia, but rather to celebrate Sophia for who she is: more trained, more physical, more offensive, and also more independent as she doesn’t have to look after anyone".
Sophia "trusts in her strength" and "doesn't run away", he says, so we can expect to see a lot of combat in Resonance. I'm very curious to see how this combat plays out, and whether we can expect more of an action game befitting Sophia's brigand background. However, the game won't be all-action, all the time. Befitting the Greek origin of Sophia's name, meaning wisdom, puzzles are promised to be a big part of Resonance, which we'll solve with the help of a Minoan sphere.
Combat is far from the only major sea change in Resonance. Dedeine says that the game will explore themes that are new to the series, "such as the relationship with father figures, as well as fresh settings and color palettes" that befit the Eastern Mediterranean. The game certainly looks a lot more colorful, rich with red hues of the ancient ruins, lush greens of olive trees, and the baking sun.
The Plague Tale turnabout
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)The step back in time may seem like a strange move to keen-eyed players of the Requiem, which ended with a post-credits scene showing someone hooked up to a ventilator who appeared to be infected with the Macula. However, this teaser isn't likely to bear fruit in Resonance.
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Dedeine said that "we knew some of our fans were really eager to see the follow-up teased in Requiem. But the team spent over seven years with these characters, and to keep things fresh, to preserve that creative spark, to avoid disappointing anyone, and to do even better, we felt we needed to take a break, to clear our heads and reinvent ourselves in a way".
At the moment, he said, "the Requiem sequel isn’t in development yet, even though we do talk about it from time to time". A blow for those who are desperate to see the Plague Tale franchise take its first steps into the modern era, then, but a change of scenery and game style should still be interesting.
It's certainly not a sign that players should expect the same old Plague Tale that we're used to, as huge chunks of the franchise's style have had to be reworked from the ground up to mesh with Sophia's physicality, which Dedeine said "changes everything". Tweaks have had to be made to "the type of drive, the scenarios, how emotions are expressed. And, of course, movement, camera, and combat style".
So, it looks as though Resonance is going to try to walk a very fine line between building up the backstory of the extant Plague Tale games while also offering a new approach to the series. We've been very interested in what little we've seen so far, and we're not alone: the game was nominated for the "Most Wanted" award at this year's Golden Joysticks.
While there's no demo available yet, we're quite anxiously awaiting one to see how the game turns its series on its head and whether it's able to see it through without any significant hiccups. The game is due to release next year, but there's no firm date yet: we'll be sure to let you know as soon as a release is scheduled. If this has piqued your interest in other games that are due to release next year and that we think will be a big part of the gaming conversation, be sure to check out our other Big in 2026 articles!
Joe ChiversContributorEver since getting a Mega Drive as a toddler, Joe has been fascinated by video games. After studying English Literature to M.A. level, he has worked as a freelance video games journalist, writing for PC Gamer, The Guardian, Metro, Techradar, and more. A huge fan of indies, grand strategy games, and RPGs of almost all flavors, when he's not playing games or writing about them, you may find him in a park or walking trail near you, pretending to be a mischievous nature sprite, or evangelizing about folk music, hip hop, or the KLF to anyone who will give him a minute of their time.
Show More CommentsYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis wants to make Lara Croft's iconic T-rex fight feel like the first time all over again
Soma successor Ontos is "like Shadow of the Colossus" says its creative director: The moon-set horror is "built around the looming excitement and dread of what the next big Experiment will be like"
The Blood of Dawnwalker devs "were afraid that people wouldn't want to play as human Coen" so it set out to create "a combat system that can set a new standard for RPGs"
Resident Evil Requiem's dual protagonists aim to marry "the most terrifying horror and the most thrilling action"
"We are hard to beat": 9 months since Assassin's Creed Shadows, its associate director looks back on what makes this RPG the best in series history
With The Blood of Dawnwalker, Rebel Wolves wants to "get a few steps closer to pen-and-paper RPGs"
Latest in Action Games
I was ready to take a break from Metroidvanias after Silksong, but this beautiful indie rekindled my obsession
Double Fine's next game is a PvP brawler with pottery-powered team battles and a full social hub, out this spring
While Gears of War: E-Day rewinds the clock, The Coalition is looking to freshen up the 20-year-old series
Gears of War: E-Day is set in one city as it's both "a rich environment" and "the best gameplay playground"
The Coalition believes that Gears of War: E-Day "has the potential to be one of the best stories in the Gears franchise"
In a games industry dominated by safe bets, Capcom keeps getting weird with it
Latest in Features
Fable's "shades of gray approach to morality" directly ties into the RPG's living population, with a reputation system
The MCU might slowly be assembling the weirdest Avengers team ever
Forza Horizon 6 looks like the pinnacle of open-world racing games: "It really is just about driving wherever you want and exploring"
New on Disney Plus in February 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming
Gaming mice have an esports problem, which is why today's flagships aren't actually for you (or me)
How Fable's open world fantasy lets you meddle in the lives of over 1000 living NPCs
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for- 2Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based combat evolves Metaphor ReFantazio's hybrid battles, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
- 3This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
- 4Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
- 5Octopath Traveler 0 review: "The strongest entry in this retro-styled JRPG series yet, I love the greater focus on tactical battles"
1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"- 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
- 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
- 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
- 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"- 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
- 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
- 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
- 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”
