In A Plague Tale: Innocence, you’ll find yourself navigating a world where darkness isn’t just metaphorical; it’s filled with flesh-eating rats and hostile soldiers who are ready to strike at any moment. The game masterfully combines stealth, puzzle-solving, and survival mechanics to keep players on edge as they guide siblings Amicia and Hugo through a plague-ravaged France. One of the most challenging aspects of the game is surviving against the swarms of rats that lurk in the shadows, waiting to devour anything in their path. Here’s a survival guide with essential tips to help you navigate both human and rodent dangers, ensuring you and Hugo make it through the darkness.
1. Mastering Stealth Mechanics
Stealth is the key to survival in A Plague Tale: Innocence. Confrontation rarely ends well for Amicia, so mastering stealth techniques is essential.
- Stay in the Shadows: Guards are highly alert and have sharp vision. Use shadows and tall grass to your advantage, crouching to stay hidden and minimize sound.
- Watch Patrol Patterns: Guards follow specific patrol routes. Study their movements before making a move, and use distractions wisely when you’re ready to slip by.
- Distract with Purpose: Throwing rocks or pots can lure guards away, opening up pathways to sneak past them. Be mindful, as guards will investigate noises, but they may become suspicious if they don’t find anything.
2. Using the Environment to Combat the Rats
The rat swarms are a terrifying and ever-present threat. They lurk in the darkness and swarm anything that strays into the shadows. Fortunately, there are ways to manipulate the environment to outwit these deadly rodents.
- Light is Your Best Weapon: Rats hate light, so always keep an eye out for torches, braziers, and other light sources. Use these to carve out safe paths through the rat swarms.
- Use Sticks Wisely: You’ll often find torches or sticks lying around. Sticks can only be used for a short time before they burn out, so plan your route carefully when carrying one.
- Ignite Braziers Strategically: Lighting a brazier or torch in key areas can give you safe zones or create barriers between you and the rats. Sometimes you’ll need to light multiple braziers to form a secure path forward.
3. Alchemical Crafting and Rat Control
Alchemy is Amicia’s secret weapon, giving her the ability to craft various mixtures that help her manage both rats and guards.
- Ignifer: This basic mixture allows you to light extinguished braziers, torches, and even enemy weapons from a distance. Use it to expand your safe zones in rat-filled areas or to set up light paths for Hugo.
- Luminosa: This powerful tool clears out rats in a small radius and is your best option when you’re cornered. Luminosa is resource-intensive, so save it for emergencies when there’s no other escape.
- Odoris: Odoris attracts rats to a specific spot, which can be used to lure them away from your path or even to unsuspecting guards. Throw it strategically to clear a path or take down enemies without direct confrontation.
- Extinguis: Extinguis can put out fires, which is helpful for certain puzzles and stealth scenarios. Use it to plunge enemies holding torches into darkness, allowing the rats to do the dirty work for you.
4. Upgrading and Managing Resources
Resources are scarce in A Plague Tale, so you need to manage them carefully. Collect every scrap of fabric, sulfur, alcohol, and saltpeter you find to craft essential items.
- Upgrade Wisely: Balancing resource use between crafting and upgrades is important. If you find yourself struggling with stealth, prioritize upgrading your sling for quieter use, or invest in your inventory capacity to hold more materials.
- Explore Every Corner: Search for hidden crates, barrels, and side paths. You can find valuable materials tucked away, and these items are often crucial for crafting your alchemical tools.
- Balance Alchemical Mixtures: Don’t rely too heavily on any single mixture. Diversifying your crafting keeps you prepared for different situations, whether you need to fight guards or navigate around rats.
5. Tips for Controlling Hugo
Hugo is Amicia’s constant companion, and while he’s an asset, he also requires protection. Keep him close but manage his presence effectively to avoid unnecessary risks.
- Stay Hand-in-Hand: Holding Hugo’s hand ensures he stays close and doesn’t panic, which is especially helpful during stealth sequences.
- Use Hide-and-Wait Commands: If you need to scout an area or manage a puzzle, you can command Hugo to stay hidden in a safe spot. This frees you up to explore, but don’t leave him alone for too long, or he may draw unwanted attention.
6. Strategic Use of the Sling
Amicia’s sling is a versatile but risky weapon. Knowing when and how to use it is essential for surviving encounters with both guards and rats.
- Aiming Carefully: Using the sling makes noise, which can alert guards to your position. Aim carefully to avoid wasting shots, and only use it when you’re sure it won’t draw attention.
- Exploiting Weak Spots: Certain guards are equipped with helmets, making them immune to direct rock shots. Use Devorantis to force them to remove helmets first, then take them down with a well-aimed sling shot.
7. Navigating the Rat Swarms
The rats are relentless and can overwhelm you quickly. Understanding their behavior and the best ways to work around them is key to surviving the game.
- Observe Rat Swarm Patterns: Rats tend to gather in clusters and follow set areas. They won’t venture far from dark zones, so staying in lit areas keeps you safe.
- Creating Distractions: If you’re short on light sources, throw a dead body or use Odoris to lure rats into a specific spot. This can create openings for you to slip past without risking an encounter.
- Using Enemy Guards as Shields: In some scenarios, you can lure guards into rat zones to clear a path for yourself. Guards will use torches to keep rats at bay, but once their light goes out, they’re defenseless.
8. Embrace the Story and Atmosphere
The story of A Plague Tale is as gripping as it is dark, with its setting, character development, and environment playing major roles in the gameplay experience.
- Immerse Yourself: Take time to absorb the details around you. Listening to dialogue and exploring the environment not only enriches the story but can reveal clues to help you progress.
- Pacing Matters: Rushing through the game may cause you to miss vital resources or story elements. Take things slow, and fully experience each area before moving on.
Final Thoughts
Playing A Plague Tale: Innocence is all about being clever and staying strong. With dangerous rat swarms, hostile guards, and darkness all around, every step is a fight to survive. These tips will help you tackle the game’s toughest parts and make it through with Amicia and Hugo. Whether you’re sneaking past guards, dealing with rats, or solving puzzles, remember: patience, planning, and quick thinking are your best tools.