Ever wanted to run as fast as The Flash, walk along walls like Spiderman or play around with squishy pillow shaped beings that sound like baby kittens? Scratch that, have you ever wanted to raise the dead or take life from the living. I know you do, no need to deny it. The indie game Valley let’s you do all that. In Valley, you a god. That said, while being a god is fun and all, you have your fair share of responsibilities.
The player character sets off on an adventure in search of the famed “lifeseed” that is said to contain enough power to give or take life from all living beings. However just like every adventure, things turn out to be way more complicated than anticipated.
Valley: Gameplay and Story
Valley does have a crude combat system, but it barely passes as one. The antagonists consist of flying swarms who leach your energy and if you’re at zero energy, their attacks cause death. You just have to dodge their lousy moves and hit them with a couple of energy beams, and then they became harmless. While initially you may seem immortal, every time you die, the valley around you gradually fades as well. If the entire valley dies, the game gets over as the LEAF suit takes life from the nearby denizens to bring you back from the underworld. So in order to keep that from happening, you are supposed to revive dead vegetation every time you are killed to keep the valley green and healthy. This is a really thought provoking mechanic.
There is not much in the way of story and characters. You collect voice tapes and documents to discover the history of the valley. The message that the game tries to send is powerful, although one that has been the theme of numerous media. Power corrupts and you always have to give up your human side for it. The Amrita power orbs that power the core mechanics of the LEAF suit have a really disturbing secret, one that will shake the most stoic of people. It goes a long way in making the message all the more prominent.
Valley: Conclusion
Pros:
- Beautiful game
- Entertaining fast-paced parkour mechanics
- Powerful theme
- Relaxing environment
Cons:
- Lack of Content
- Weak plotline and writing
- Mediocre quest-design