QUICK ANSWER
Resonance is a prequel set about 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem. It follows Sophia and can be understood as a standalone story, while returning players gain added context for her and the Macula.
Where it sits in the series
Official material places the story 15 years before Requiem. Sophia is younger, travelling with Leni toward Minotaur's Island while pursued by forces connected to a failed heist and her past.
The story also visits the older Minoan timeline and promises to explore the untold origins of the Macula. Those connections make it part of the same universe without turning it into a direct sequel to Amicia and Hugo's campaign.
Do you need to play Innocence and Requiem first?
GamesRadar and GameSpew both describe Resonance as capable of standing on its own. A newcomer can follow Sophia's central journey without finishing the earlier duology.
Playing Requiem first changes the dramatic context because Sophia is already known there. Choose release order for maximum recognition, or start with Resonance if its action-adventure style is the entry that interests you.
Quick player questions
Is Resonance A Plague Tale 3?
It is the third released game in the series, but narratively it is a Sophia-focused prequel rather than a sequel to Requiem.
Can I play it first?
Yes. Multiple reviews describe the story as standalone, though returning players will recognize more connections.
Sources
Primary game pages and specialist guides used for the facts on this page.
Asobo StudioResonance: A Plague Tale LegacyFocus EntertainmentStory trailer and exclusive contentTechRadarResonance review and accessibility notesGamesRadar+Resonance review
