Falling Squirrel, Creative Bytes Studios, and Nejcraft bring a unique offering with their game, “The Vale: Shadow of the Crown,” an action RPG centered entirely around sound. In this intriguing adventure, you step into the shoes—or perhaps just the mindset—of a blind princess named Alexandra. We’re offering a closer look at this immersive journey, highlighted by its strong narrative and innovative gameplay mechanics.
You find yourself as Alexandra just as your brother ascends the throne to become king. In his newfound power, he appoints you as the warden of a remote castle on the kingdom’s boundaries. But fate has a different plan. While crossing a river on your way to this new home, your convoy is ambushed by an invading force. Stripped of safety and left in the chaos, your sole mission becomes survival. Navigating through the treacherous landscape of The Vale, your adventure demands sharp listening skills, especially since the game features three adjustable difficulty levels: Casual, Normal, and Hard, catering to seasoned and new players alike.
The game provides a seamless experience on the Nintendo Switch. Whether you’re using the Joy-Con controllers or tapping into the touchscreen convenience of Portable or Tabletop Mode, or a Nintendo Switch Lite, the controls are intuitive. Outside of battle, move freely with the left analog stick while pivoting with the right. Engage in melee combat using the right analog stick, either for quick attacks or charging up for more powerful strikes. Switching to ranged combat is simple—just hold and release the ZR button to let your arrows fly. Defense is just as crucial; utilize the left analog stick to block incoming attacks strategically.
Building upon successful strikes and defenses, you’ll accrue favor, pivotal for casting spells which can shift the balance of combat. Enchant your weapon with fire via the ZR button, or quickly protect yourself with a fiery shield burst using the ZL button. Combining spellcasting with attention to your environmental audio cues will make battles both thrilling and manageable.
Retracing our steps for a moment, remember that Alexandra’s journey through The Vale isn’t just another RPG run; it’s a test of your senses. With enemies lurking and the path to your brother’s safety laden with challenges, headphones become your lifeline, emphasizing the immersive audio design of the game. Plan for a journey of roughly 5-6 hours, priced at $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch—a fair exchange for such a distinctive gaming experience.
A small note to wrap things up: this review was crafted with a Nintendo Switch copy of the game provided by Nejcraft, ensuring our impressions are formed through direct engagement with the game itself.
