A Valley Without Wind 2

About

"A Valley Without Wind 2" is a turn-based strategy game with 2-player multi-player and co-op options, as well as single-player capability. The game features good graphics and music, and offers a modern take on the 16-bit era by blending mechanics from platform-shooters and strategy games. As a mage infiltrator with immortality power, players lead an uprising against the evil Demonaica and his henchmen, alternating between platforming stages and strategic turns on the world map.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

45%

Audience ScoreBased on 97 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of platforming and turn-based strategy, offering a different gameplay experience compared to traditional titles.
The soundtrack is praised for being engaging and enjoyable, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
There are many different character classes and abilities, providing some level of customization and replayability.

The controls are clunky and frustrating, particularly the removal of mouse aiming, which significantly impacts gameplay.
The graphics and animations are poorly executed, leading to a visually unappealing experience that detracts from immersion.
The game feels overly simplified compared to its predecessor, lacking depth in mechanics and making it less enjoyable for fans of the original.

gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it satisfying and engaging, while others criticize it for being generic and lacking depth compared to the original game. Many noted that the mechanics feel stripped down, leading to a less intuitive experience, and the platforming elements are often described as poorly executed. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the unique setting and potential for replayability, though overall, the gameplay is seen as inconsistent and uninspired.
- “Super satisfying gameplay loop, not gonna lie, and it's short on top of that <3”
- “I was quickly engaged in the mixed strategic and adventure mechanics, which are blended in a way that makes them both completely necessary to win the game.”
- “But the gameplay is challenging and absolutely consistent, and the dream-like demon-apocalypse setting combined with the odd but memorable soundtrack makes for a lot of fun for people looking for something different.”
- “It has the same problems as the first game where it attempts to do everything only for each mechanic to fall flat.”
- “In doing so, I can't help but feel that most of the gameplay and mechanics that made the original fun have been removed or extremely stripped down.”
- “Lacks intuitive gameplay and ideas, as well as the capacity to hook the player on the premise of the narrative or gameplay.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
52%
14%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding them charming despite their inconsistency and occasional glitches, while others criticize them as horrendous and clashing. Although there are improvements noted compared to the previous title, many feel that the overall visual presentation remains subpar and detracts from the gameplay experience. The art style, while refreshing to some, is often described as off-putting and lacking coherence, leading to a divided opinion among players.
- “There are 3-5 different art styles from what I noticed in the game, and it shows.”
- “The game offers some pleasant graphics and graphical style, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
- “Nice looking graphics and wonderful music.”
- “Horrendous graphics with disgusting parallax in the background.”
- “Valley without wind was terrible - with clashing graphics and horrible animations.”
- “The graphics have improved slightly, but not nearly enough to cover the poor play control and reduced customization options.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many users praising its quality and atmosphere, describing it as fantastic, relaxing, and memorable. However, some players noted issues with looping delays and the predominance of ambient tracks, which may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, enhancing the game's experience despite some criticisms regarding its integration with gameplay.
- “Definitely play with the sounds on; the music is super good.”
- “An ambitious mess with a pretty ugly graphical style, and a fantastic soundtrack.”
- “+ quite relaxing (albeit somewhat melancholy) soundtrack that may be the overall high point of the game, in terms of quality.”
- “When the music ends and loops, there is a 2-5 second delay, guaranteed, every time.”
- “But aside from that, the rest of the music is ambient.”
- “Hence the neutral here, because you may dislike ambient music (of course, you can turn it off and blast your playlist in the background).”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story in the game is generally perceived as generic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it fails to make much sense and lacks meaningful character progression. While some appreciate the basic story arc and dystopian setting, the overall writing quality is criticized, leading to a disjointed experience that feels more like an afterthought than a central element of the game.
- “Much more polished and streamlined in terms of design and art than the first installment of the series, this game has a real (although basic) story arc and character progression system based on feats and perks.”
- “+ interesting dystopic story and environment (unfortunately the writing quality is a bit lacking)”
- “Animations were smooth (though obviously based on some simple figure rendering program like Poser), the control scheme worked, the story didn't make much sense but a lot of 90s shareware didn't so I could at least poke around with it and be vaguely amused.”
- “However, the story is a little generic, but better than nothing. The gameplay is a platformer type of game, but also a bit generic, as well as the quests being more or less generic.”
- “The story didn't make much sense, but a lot of 90s shareware didn't, so I could at least poke around with it and be vaguely amused.”
- “The final problem with this game is the storyline. They make it seem like there should be a storyline with dialogue boxes popping up in every biome and when you kill a boss, but there isn't really.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game offers significant replayability due to its full multiplayer support, diverse character classes, and a well-designed procedurally generated world. Players can expect to invest over 20 hours as they explore different mechanics and character types, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging. Overall, the potential for varied experiences encourages players to revisit the game multiple times.
- “Adds a lot of replayability for those who want to replay it.”
- “With all the replayability value in this game (multiplayer, so many different classes, and a procedurally generated world that is actually good), you are bound to spend a lot of time with it (20 hours+).”
- “It looks promising when considering replayability value, as it seems interesting to try the game again using a different type of character.”
- “But I do appreciate that the developers support full multiplayer in this game. I will definitely get into this if I find replayability in the game, meaning I finish it and want to replay it.”
- “But if you do, with all the replayability value in this game (multiplayer + so many different classes + procedurally generated world that is actually good), you are bound to spend a lot of time with it (20 hours+).”
- “I still haven't wrapped my head around the mechanics and differences between those characters, their classes, or whatever it's based on, but it does look promising when considering replayability value, as it looks like it could be interesting to try the game again using a different type of character.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it both amusing and refreshingly unique. The developers' clever quips add to the overall comedic experience, making it a standout in its genre.
- “However, it's also unimaginably hilarious.”
- “Little quippy humor by the devs makes it fun as well.”
- “It's a funny little game, something different for a change.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is frustrating due to clunky platforming, unpredictable procedural generation, and tedious combat, making the experience feel tedious rather than rewarding. Players express disappointment, particularly when comparing it to the previous installment, which offered a more engaging challenge. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “It's ugly, the platforming is clunky, the procedural generation leads to cases where you can get stuck in unpredictable places, the strategy layer is impossible to parse, and the combat is really tedious.”
- “So, you build a clinic now... one guy has to keep farming for food for your new recruits.”
- “Got to play the first one if you like challenging platform fighting and loot grinding; the new one is bad...”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Overall, the game features pleasant graphics and a charming style, though it is marred by occasional glitches. Despite its dated appearance, it runs smoothly even on older hardware, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “It looks dated, but it runs great even on old machines, and is a lot more fun.”
- “The game has some pleasant graphics and a nice graphical style, but there are ugly glitches here and there that detract from the experience.”
- “I frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
- “The stability issues are frustrating; I often experience lag and unexpected freezes during critical moments.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, retaining the strong visuals, themes, and music from its predecessor while enhancing the overall experience with improved gameplay and reduced bugs.
- “It's been in development for some time, and has kept some of the best elements of the first game (visuals, themes, music, atmosphere) with superior gameplay and far fewer bugs.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players frequently highlight a strong emotional connection to the game, indicating that it effectively engages their feelings and fosters a deep sense of attachment to the characters and story.
- “You have that emotional connection.”
- “The game evokes a deep sense of empathy and understanding.”
- “I felt a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the story.”