The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 239 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Vale: Shadow of the Crown Game Cover
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"The Vale: Shadow of the Crown" is an interactive audio game that offers a story-driven action-adventure experience for both visually impaired and sighted gamers. With 3D spatial audio and haptic controller feedback, players engage in audio-based combat and exploration, uncovering an exceptional sound design and voice performances within a 5+ hour gameplay. Embark on an emotional journey as a newly appointed warden, battling an invading army and uncovering a mystery surrounding the throne. Headphones are recommended for the best experience.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 239 reviews
story77 positive mentions
grinding1 negative mentions
  • The voice acting and sound design are exceptional, creating an immersive experience that draws players into the world.
  • The game offers a unique gameplay experience by relying solely on audio cues, making it accessible for visually impaired players while still engaging for sighted players.
  • The story is compelling and emotionally resonant, with well-developed characters and a rich narrative that keeps players invested throughout the game.
  • The combat can become repetitive, especially in later stages, as players may find themselves relying on a limited set of strategies.
  • Some players may find the lack of visual elements disorienting, and the audio cues can sometimes be overwhelming in chaotic combat situations.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 6-10 hours, leaving some players wanting more content and depth.
  • story181 mentions

    The story of "The Vale: Shadow of the Crown" is a deeply immersive and engaging experience, particularly praised for its rich audio storytelling and stellar voice acting. Players feel a strong connection to the characters, especially the courageous protagonist, Alexandra Denholm, as they navigate a world filled with supernatural and political intrigue. While the narrative may follow familiar fantasy tropes, it is enhanced by emotional depth and meaningful choices, making it a standout title for both visually impaired and sighted gamers alike.

    • “The vale: Shadow of the Crown is a groundbreaking audio game that sets a new standard for interactive storytelling, especially for the blind community.”
    • “The story is engaging, the sound design marvelous, and the gameplay simple but fun.”
    • “The story is compelling and while it may not be up there with the giants of the RPG industry, it's strong and enhanced by quality voice acting.”
    • “The story doesn't change.”
    • “I do think that the plot thickens and twists near its abrupt end, which is a shame.”
    • “It took me around 10 hours to complete, but it felt like it could have been summed up better in another hour or two of more deliberately unraveling some of the story's complexities instead of oversimplifying its resolution.”
  • gameplay86 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its innovative audio-based mechanics, which rely heavily on positional sound cues, making it accessible and engaging for both blind and sighted players. While the combat mechanics can feel repetitive at times, they offer a satisfying challenge and are complemented by a compelling narrative and excellent voice acting. Overall, the game successfully combines simple yet effective gameplay with a rich story, creating a unique and immersive experience.

    • “The gameplay is varied and in depth; there is more than combat, and combat itself is nuanced and tactical.”
    • “The story is engaging, the sound design marvelous, and the gameplay simple but fun.”
    • “I would never have thought an entire RPG with this many mechanics could be made blind-accessible, but here it is, and it's made extremely well.”
    • “The gameplay is not that sophisticated, but it's entertaining enough.”
    • “Some game mechanics were not very clear even after the tutorial, and it took me some time to understand them.”
    • “The magic mechanic seems largely pointless: you unlock the ability not long before the end, and so there are few opportunities to use it, explore it, and level it up.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The game features minimal graphics, primarily consisting of simple particle effects and menus, which allows players to engage their imagination and immerse themselves in the story. Many reviewers appreciate this unique approach, noting that the absence of complex visuals enhances the overall experience, making it deeply immersive and refreshing compared to traditional titles. While some may find the lack of graphics off-putting, the game's strong audio design and narrative depth compensate for it, creating a novel gameplay experience.

    • “The story and world are deeply immersive in a way that's incredibly unique, that may be even more immersive than the most polished visuals, as it makes you see the world in your mind.”
    • “Its unique style of replacing visuals with a purely sound-based experience is extremely refreshing in an ocean of other titles which follow the same formula time and again.”
    • “Removing visuals also awakens the player’s imagination.”
    • “Its only visuals are particle effects indicating motion, weather, and time of day.”
    • “Visuals are more effective at quickly communicating information and adding emotional context than sound.”
    • “The vale makes you realize how visuals dominate games.”
  • music16 mentions

    The music and voice acting in the game are highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional voice cast and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the storytelling and immersion. The sound design is noted for its attention to detail, creating a rich audio experience, although some found certain musical elements, like the pop-piano filler, out of place. Overall, the audio aspects are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and enjoyment.

    • “Incredible voice cast and soundtrack as well.”
    • “The sound design, music, and voice acting really shine and allow one to be immersed in this game.”
    • “So after playing this game for ~6 hours and 45 minutes straight, I cannot possibly recommend this game more; the voice acting is wonderful, the music beautiful, and the story heartfelt.”
    • “It's an audio-based game with no subtitles and only one sound bar setting with no separation for voice, SFX, and music.”
    • “Last little thing; I didn't care for the pop-piano filler in the beginning - it felt really out of place compared to the rest of the soundtrack.”
    • “Using sound for feedback means the game cannot have a soundtrack.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting the deep connection between characters, particularly the shepherd and Alexandra, and the impactful storytelling that evokes strong feelings. The combination of excellent voice acting, sound design, and heartfelt dialogue contributes to a gripping narrative that resonates with players, often leading to tears and a profound sense of joy. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to engage players emotionally while offering a unique audio-led experience.

    • “The dynamic between Shepherd and Alexandra is beautifully crafted, with moments of tension, humor, and heartfelt connection.”
    • “The story itself isn't long, even with all the side quests along the way, but it is packed with emotional moments, wonder, and good twists that only serve to deepen the story.”
    • “So after playing this game for ~6 hours and 45 minutes straight, I cannot possibly recommend this game more. The voice acting is wonderful, the music beautiful, and the story heartfelt - this has to be my favorite game for nothing has inspired such joy and wonder in me.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highly praised, with stellar voice acting and immersive audio design significantly enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the engaging mechanics and emotional depth of the characters, contributing to a captivating narrative despite a standard medieval fantasy setting.

    • “Every voice actor delivered a stellar performance, enhancing the overall immersion and making the story even more engaging.”
    • “Devoured this in one sitting, marveling at the totally immersive mechanics, writing, performances, and audio design.”
    • “And while the story and world are standard medieval fantasy, the characters really shine through good writing and emotional performances.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its effective use of audio and sound cues, complemented by stellar voice acting and atmospheric music that deeply engage players. The well-written story and character development further enhance the immersive experience, making the overall atmosphere truly exceptional.

    • “Even with the game being built on audio and sound cues, there is still a wonderful atmosphere created with the simplest effects.”
    • “The story is very well written; I was immediately invested in the characters. This was greatly enhanced by the stellar voice acting and atmospheric music.”
    • “Atmospheric doesn't even begin to cover it.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is effectively woven into the dynamic between the shepherd and Alexandra, featuring a blend of tension and heartfelt moments that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the well-tuned comedic elements that contribute to the narrative's charm.

    • “The dynamic between Shepherd and Alexandra is beautifully crafted, with moments of tension, humor, and heartfelt connection.”
    • “It was well-tuned and funny.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While the game offers some replayability through different choices, many players feel that replaying it to experience alternative dialogues can become tedious over time.

    • “The replayability is there as well.”
    • “While technically there is some replayability, I can imagine sitting through every dialogue (as great as they are) just to try a different choice two-thirds into the game will get old pretty fast.”
    • “The replayability is there as well.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly due to repetitive narration and prompts that can feel patronizing, especially for those who are familiar with the game's mechanics. This can detract from the overall experience, making the quest selection process feel unnecessarily cumbersome.

    • “I find it tedious to listen to the narrator's comments every time I need to choose quests or am told how to accept things using my spacebar. Being blind does not mean I am incapable of remembering simple functions.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I feel like I'm just going through the motions, grinding for hours without any real sense of progress or reward.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
6-12hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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