The PS5 version of A Plague Tale: Requiem greatly benefits from the DualSense controller.
If you’re debating which version of A Plague Tale: Requiem to get, the deciding factor that may push you to PlayStation 5 over PC and Xbox Series X is the DualSense controller.
In a new post on the official PlayStation Blog, Asobo Studio details what you can expect on PlayStation 5 with the DualSense controller once the game launches next month. Aside from taking advantage of the PS5 hardware to support a whopping 300,000 rats at once, they also take full advantage of the DualSense.
Haptic feedback with adaptive triggers
The most significant PS5-exclusive features are without a doubt haptic feedback and adaptive triggers with the DualSense controller.
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Here’s what we can expect:
One of the most ground-breaking innovations brought by the DualSense controller are haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. We’ve started thinking about their implementation while working on the next-gen adaptation of Innocence, which gave us an idea of the most relevant choices for our new game. Requiem will introduce real physical response and gameplay improvements tied to it. The sensory feedback provided will create realistic sensations in the use of weapons and tools.
If a weapon requires more pressure for instance, adaptive triggers will adjust the sensation of effort given to the player. Concerning the sling, if you hold the button too long, you’ll lose precision. Adaptive triggers will give the impression that shooting becomes harder, which also works for the player as a marker to measure the right time to shoot.
Amicia will also have a new weapon: a crossbow, which will answer to the same law. At the same time, its physics are not the same as the sling’s. It’s more powerful but it’s slower to use and to equip. Such sensory qualities will find their place in the simulation thanks to adaptive triggers. You’ll have to press a first time to equip the crossbow, then a second time to shoot. This next-gen vibration technology allowing us to tie a physical reaction to the player’s input is quite incredible for us developers. We were used to working with image and sound, now we can create direct effects on the player’s fingers to simulate a real tool.
Asobo also mentions how the DualSense controller will allow you to feel individual steps during a sprint. Even though the sequel almost didn’t happen, we’re excited to try out these new features on PS5.
Haptic-enhanced audio
The audio also benefits from the controller. Aside from using the built-in speaker to play weapon sounds when using the sling or crossbow, the audio is also worked into haptic feedback.
Asobo explains:
Swarms of rats can be subtly felt through the pad, through stereo vibrations. It’s as if you could touch sounds. That’s also the case with explosions and real-time cinematics; they’ll affect you physically thanks to the range of sensory input offered by the DualSense controller. The opportunities it presents brings a whole new dimension to the gameplay; you’ll be able to feel movements around you, such as where the rats are coming from! The game will offer richer situations thanks to a heightened perception of the environment which will include not only direct interaction but also semi-distant elements.
A Plague Tale: Requiem is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 18.
My Take
Even though A Plague Tale: Requiem is free to play as a day one Xbox Game Pass title, the PS5 version is still worth considering. That’s thanks to the console’s exclusive DualSense controller features.
