Hidden Gem on Xbox Game Pass Is Getting a Prequel in 2026

Xbox Game Pass has become known for having day one launches and popular games debut on the service, whether that be immediately or in the future. Some people are so backlogged that they feel they can wait for new titles to eventually come to Game Pass, similar to how people wait for a new film to come to Netflix (or one of the many other streaming services out there). But even then, there are so many games available on Game Pass that some are bound to be overlooked. One series in particular has never received the acclaim it deserves, despite having two titles in the Xbox Game Pass catalog. With a prequel due out in 2026, now is the perfect time for players to give it a try.

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Nestled in Xbox Game Pass are narrative-driven adventures as part of A Plague Tale series from Focus Entertainment. For newcomers, the series offers two heart-wrenching games to discover, while Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy will expand upon the atmospheric world and offer even more for fans.

A Plague Tale Is a Hidden Gem on Xbox Game Pass

The A Plague Tale series stands as proof that a game doesn’t need to be a blockbuster to leave a lasting impression. Despite never achieving massive widespread success and garnering modest fanfare, critics were impressed with its gripping story of survival, family, and resilience. The series has grown into a cult classic and are standout titles. For those who’ve already experienced these games, the upcoming prequel offers a chance to play them again in preparation. But those who have not played the first two titles will discover a truly harrowing and lasting story.

A Plague Tale: Innocence introduces players to Amicia de Rune, a young girl who must protect her younger brother Hugo during one of the darkest periods in history: the Black Plague. She must protect her brother as the pair journeys through Europe, trying to survive enemies and the ever-present rats. It combines puzzle-solving with some of the most intense stealth in gaming. Discovery leads to Amicia or Hugo’s death or capture, so the players must be constantly aware of their actions and those around them.

The sequel, A Plague Tale: Requiem, takes things to a new level and expands upon the first game’s greatest strengths. It thrives on tension, further layering the emotional stakes. Its more open areas and refined mechanics enhance the stealth elements, while new combat tools give the player more options. Hugo’s strange power to control the plague-inducing rats has also been expanded on, adding to the narrative and gameplay. Its ability to combine grounded character-driven storytelling with mechanics that heighten the emotional impact is why the games are so beloved, but despite this, A Plague Tale has been overshadowed by other games for so long.

Resonance Is an Exciting Prequel to A Plague Tale Coming in 2026

The prequel, Resonace: A Plague Tale Legacy, is set to launch in 2026 and aims to take the players a bit in the past. Set 15 years before the events of A Plague Tale: Innocence, it dives deeper into the plague rather than Amicia and Hugo’s story. Players control Sophia, a plunderer seeking a mysterious treasure on Minotaur Island, where they will uncover a tale of myth, danger, and fate. Players will recognize Sophia as the pirate who aids Amicia and Hugo in A Plague Tale: Requiem. In addition to this, players will see another timeline as the narrative shifts from Sophia to the Minion times through echoes of the past.

Aside from this and its reveal trailer, details are limited on Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy. But from what we know, this prequel promises to be more than just a side story, or even a spinoff. It aims to enrich the overarching story by providing new details about the mysteries behind Hugo’s affliction, specifically with the plague and supernatural elements. One hope among fans is that it sheds further light on Amicia and Hugo’s family, as it takes place during the year that Amicia is born.

Asobo Studio has proven it can balance scope with intimacy with its first two entries in the series, and Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a new opportunity to take things further without the limitations of being a sequel. The franchise has a reputation as a powerful, if quiet saga, and a prequel is an excellent opportunity to draw in new fans and reward longtime fans. It is launching on Xbox Game Pass day one, making it easy to experience the next entry in the A Plague Tale series.

Now Is The Perfect Time to Catch Up

Xbox Game Pass makes it simple to catch up on A Plague Tale: Innocence and A Plague Tale: Requiem. Subscribers can play the games as part of their catalog, and both titles can be finished in under 20 hours. They are digestible and impactful adventures that offer strong writing, atmospheric design, and heartfelt performances, especially from Charlotte McBurney, the actress for Amicia.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy could be the chance for the series to finally get the recognition it deserves. Only time will tell how the prequel performs, but the series remains one of the best-kept secrets in gaming for now.