Valley (2016)

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 51
  3. Negative: 3 out of 51

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  1. KillingArts
    Aug 27, 2016
    10
    Wow! Just wow! This game came unexpected. Never heard of it before. The screenshots looked a bit like a walking simulator with a few gameplay elements. The description was vague. I didn't expect too much. To be honest, I just bought it because I had wallet left from trading card sales, so I had to pay only 2€ on top of that. But now that I know the game - it's easily worth the money. ItWow! Just wow! This game came unexpected. Never heard of it before. The screenshots looked a bit like a walking simulator with a few gameplay elements. The description was vague. I didn't expect too much. To be honest, I just bought it because I had wallet left from trading card sales, so I had to pay only 2€ on top of that. But now that I know the game - it's easily worth the money. It really blew me away.

    When you start the game, you will in fact think this is a walking simulator. After just a few minutes - when you get your suit - you will probably think: oh, it's more of a running simulator. This will be fun! Well, the game actually has absolutely nothing to do with a walking simulator. It opens up more and more and more. At some point even combat is introduced. The game takes its time, so that when you have your first fight, you are really surprised that this is in the game. You get new upgrades for your suit on a regular basis. And what awesome upgrades those are. I'd say the double jump is the least exciting of them. Wait until you are in your first speed tunnel... ;)

    Aside from all that the game has this really great life/death mechanic. You can take life, and you can give life. This works with animals, trees and other plants. So if you really need it, you can take from nature. But don't take too much. The valley itself also has some sort of HP meter. It's an interesting and innovative concept. I like it a lot.

    The story is mostly told through audio logs and notes. This may sound boring to some of you, but it really isn't. You listen to the audio logs while playing, and the notes are pretty short - so neither of those will hinder your game flow. The story is pretty interesting. It didn't take long until I really wanted to know what the hell happened in the valley.

    The graphics are awesome. And the sound design is absolutely fantastic. The world is well designed and interesting. Well, almost everything about this game is just great. The only negative thing I can think of is the difficulty. It's a little too easy. But that's really a minor complaint.

    My playthrough was exactly 5:57h long.

    Overall this is just a great game. A real indie gem. And I hope it get's the attention it deserves.

    And if you're using a 21:9 monitor like me, please check this out: http://steamcommunity.com/app/378610/discussions/0/352792037314730094/    … Expand
  2. Evono
    Aug 26, 2016
    10
    This Game i don't know what to say. i probably played around 300+ games already. and each year i think this new game is Meh or medium good only rare ones surprise me and make me really think "wow" or make me play it straight in one session till end ( because its so great )

    - This game i cant describe it. its Fantastic, it looks GREAT , the sounds are GREAT , the Story is GREAT ( if    This Game i don't know what to say. i probably played around 300+ games already. and each year i think this new game is Meh or medium good only rare ones surprise me and make me really think "wow" or make me play it straight in one session till end ( because its so great )

    -

    This game i cant describe it. its Fantastic, it looks GREAT , the sounds are GREAT , the Story is GREAT ( if you read the papers too ) it made me think wow in a lot of parts , there were a lot of game parts that were plain fun.

    i will buy it as soon as i can (i played it at a friend) atm iam extremely poor but as soon as i can i will support this dev , this dev is Probably one of the few out there that really deserves each penny . you see and feel the love put into this game at every corner every mile of this game

    the game was a bit short. but really it entertainment on multiple levels better as most AAA titles in the last years !

    Had 0 Bugs with it .    … Expand
  3. PaulPolicarp
    Aug 27, 2016
    8
    Valley aggresively pushes above and beyond the industry-established scope of narrative-driven exploration games. It fills the gaps between the story bits with dynamic gameplay and fun traversal, offering you a wide array of tools to get across the environments. The valley itself is beautifully designed, offering the occasional breathtaking view and the soundtrack is fantastic. Because ofValley aggresively pushes above and beyond the industry-established scope of narrative-driven exploration games. It fills the gaps between the story bits with dynamic gameplay and fun traversal, offering you a wide array of tools to get across the environments. The valley itself is beautifully designed, offering the occasional breathtaking view and the soundtrack is fantastic. Because of its constant change of pace, I found myself enjoying the storytelling of Valley far more than the likes of something like Everyone's Gone To The Rapture and found the traversal to be far more compelling than what the Mirror's Edge series had to offer. Valley has story for those seeking story, collectibles for those into completion, traversal and combat for the adventurers and nice sights and sounds for explorers. In fact, the heaviest criticism I can weigh against it is that it could have been just a bit more challenging, but at the end of the day, Valley is a textbook case of a "walking simulator" done incredibly right.… Expand
  4. jasper6333
    Aug 30, 2016
    10
    Man what a great little gem this is. gameplay is so much fun and relaxing, story is awesome, graphics looks great and length is reasonable but there is some replayability (at least for the completionists and speed runners among us) finished first run in just over 3 hours still did not discover everything and second run i wanted to do a speedrun now 2/3 into the game and just one hour in.Man what a great little gem this is. gameplay is so much fun and relaxing, story is awesome, graphics looks great and length is reasonable but there is some replayability (at least for the completionists and speed runners among us) finished first run in just over 3 hours still did not discover everything and second run i wanted to do a speedrun now 2/3 into the game and just one hour in.

    this game is really amazing and for the completionists, speed runners and casual gamers a must buy and potential game of the year.    … Expand
  5. TRONlol
    Aug 27, 2016
    10
    Freaking loved it.
    One of these rare good indie games that come out once every blue moon, highly recommended for players who enjoy exploring and giving in to the story, makes you wonder why didnt they make a sonic game like this.
  6. Gridhunter
    Aug 29, 2016
    10
    This game was a blast to play and due to its high production value and quality, deserves any gamers attention. It is an indie title casting a shadow on so many AAA developed products. Two thumbs up and three dwarven axes from me!
  7. Mykwon
    Aug 21, 2017
    9
    Beautiful, fun, nice story with an innovative plot, clever gaming mechanisms. That's a hit. Reminded me of "A story of my uncle" but with much less challenging (frustrating?) platforming so this game is just pure joy. The best part was running of the railway tracks at huge speed, with the music becoming epic as you accelerate. The feeling was awesome! This game should definitely get a VRBeautiful, fun, nice story with an innovative plot, clever gaming mechanisms. That's a hit. Reminded me of "A story of my uncle" but with much less challenging (frustrating?) platforming so this game is just pure joy. The best part was running of the railway tracks at huge speed, with the music becoming epic as you accelerate. The feeling was awesome! This game should definitely get a VR version. Got it for $5 and I regret nothing!… Expand
  8. PaulJazz24
    Nov 1, 2020
    8
    Very interesting story and wonderful artwork. A very engaging exploration game. The only drawback is that you have to restart from the beginning of the level (and levels are BIG!) EVERY TIME you restart the game. Very annoying. Otherwise is a nice game.
  9. jantsas
    Apr 7, 2017
    9
    'Valley' is all about exploration, high speed aside reflective moments, a strong storyline, wonderful views from often unusual viewpoints, cumulative skills granting players new and often surprising impulses, some charming creatures etc. Combat may be stereotypical and less challenging, but this is not a shooter game. In short, I strongly disagree with the negative criticism by'Valley' is all about exploration, high speed aside reflective moments, a strong storyline, wonderful views from often unusual viewpoints, cumulative skills granting players new and often surprising impulses, some charming creatures etc. Combat may be stereotypical and less challenging, but this is not a shooter game. In short, I strongly disagree with the negative criticism by professional reviewers. I guess they expected a different game or maybe they have played too many games to really enjoy this one. Too bad, because I certainly did.… Expand
  10. ElQueDiceLaVerd
    Dec 7, 2018
    9
    I do not know what I expected from Valley, I did not know anything about it, but in the images it looked decent, because the trailer did not say much either.
    Upon entering I found an environment that absorbs you from the first moment with a relaxing experience, but mainly a soundtrack that knows how to guide you to what he wants at all times.
    Valley is worth it, he has his mistakes, but    I do not know what I expected from Valley, I did not know anything about it, but in the images it looked decent, because the trailer did not say much either.
    Upon entering I found an environment that absorbs you from the first moment with a relaxing experience, but mainly a soundtrack that knows how to guide you to what he wants at all times.
    Valley is worth it, he has his mistakes, but for my part they are not so important because what he tried to tell, he did.    … Expand
  11. SandiegoArcade
    Feb 25, 2020
    9
    Valley is a hidden gem that doesn't do anything new but what is does do it gets it right. The game is tranquil and short and combat is down to a minimum and can be completely avoided for the most part but the fun is in some platforming, running and minor exploration. It's the kind of game that leaves you wanting more but I guess that is for the better since the story wraps itself up justValley is a hidden gem that doesn't do anything new but what is does do it gets it right. The game is tranquil and short and combat is down to a minimum and can be completely avoided for the most part but the fun is in some platforming, running and minor exploration. It's the kind of game that leaves you wanting more but I guess that is for the better since the story wraps itself up just when it needs to. Play this game it is near perfect for a indie game. Oh and the graphics and atmosphere are great visuals.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 18, 2016
    50
    The studio behind Slender: The Arrival tried to combine Mirror’s Edge with a first person shooter and inject it with Ori and the Blind Forest’s atmosphere, but only managed to prove that it’s often better to focus on one thing and get it right. [11/2016, p.70]
  2. GameSpot
    Aug 30, 2016
    70
    Valley feels like a good first act. Despite obstacles that tend to abruptly kill your momentum, running and bounding through wilderness remained exciting. The world's history is so intriguing that I left wanting to know more. I didn't want the adventure to end, and like a jogger who's forced to slow down in the middle of a run, I was frustrated that Valley had to end so soon after it began.
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  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Aug 24, 2016
    70
    Granted, it’s easy to see this unique take on the first-person experience fall by the wayside, especially when you consider its initial technical follies and weak player onboarding, but flaws aside, Valley has the potential to serve as an introduction to the first-person adventure genre for players who are used to more combat-heavy experiences.
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