The Vale: Shadow of the Crown

It’s like Kingdom Come Deliverance if Henry was blind.
I like to think that behind the black screen and floating dots, there's actually an in-game engine with amazing graphics
This is one of the best video games I've ever played, and I finished it with my eyes closed. The Vale is an audio-based game that is best played with headphones. The only graphics are floating colored spheres that don't help you so you might as well just close your eyes. But this is not just a glorified audio book. It's an actual game.
The game uses audio cues and directional sound to direct you to attack and block in one of three directions. It sounds simple but the combat actually gets more complex as it unfolds with hunting with bows and arrow, a little magic, parrying, heavy attacks, interrupting attacks, etc. It was just so cool to close your eyes and listen to the direction of the enemies and block and attack. It was so incredibly unique. The audio aspect gave me some Hellblade vibes. I chose to play on the hardest difficulty. It was challenging at times but totally fair and it made the combat and the game even more immersive.
You play as a blind female protagonist who is led by a guide in a fantasy realm where enemies are after her. The devs created an incredible female protagonist and it was really cool to have no video as it put you in the shoes of the protagonist as she is blind and can only respond to the sounds of her environment as well. It was a massive step up in terms of immersion.
The main story and voice acting were really high quality and I really enjoyed how it all unfolded at the end. The entirely verbal story felt surprisingly intimate. It was an all-around beautiful experience. There are even side quests in the game that had a unique way of being unlocked and played. You follow sounds in a town square, are prompted later to press a button to start the quest, and then you travel to a self contained area to complete the quest.
You might be traveling and come across an inn with shops nearby. You’ll hear the sound of sword smiths working on swords, the banging of steel. Walk towards that if you wanna buy and sell gear there. You might hear chickens in the distance which will tell you it’s a spot you can buy food and stuff. You can go inside inns and take on side quests. I had one quest where you had to find treasure behind a waterfall. Well you and your companion search for said waterfall and you’ll hear it in the distance.
The game is also fully accessible to visually impaired as all the menus are voiced like the inventory menu. It's a pretty great thing that someone who is visually impaired cannot only relate to the protagonist but can also fully play a video game.
I feel like a lot of people write it off pretty quick because you’re blind in game and see nothing, but it’s so much more than that. The story is good. It’s an RPG at heart. The combat is actually engaging and makes you focus and listen carefully. I never had a game tell you and show you so much without having anything on screen.
It was such a unique experience to, well, experience something simply by only sounds. I had to pay attention to the things I would normally not even notice consciously. It was definitely weird at first, I was totally looking for visualy but got used to it after a bit. I loved the ending too, I somehow did not expect that.
I have to say, that even despite the negatives and the drawbacks outlined by some, I think this game deserves a standing ovation for really trying something new and being very innovative, and I sincerely hope more of this type of thing becomes a thing. While I'm not blind, nor do I know anyone who is (that would be likely to play video games), I just love that this was made.
Don't let this gem pass you by. It's an incredibly unique twist on video games the likes you’ve probably never experienced before. Probably the easiest 10 I have ever given because it was so unique and immersive.
Seeing the average reviews on by people who never gave it a chance though, no wonder the triple A gaming industry is in such a sh*t place right now. For these people if it isn't the new yearly Call of Duty or FIFA shovelware, it's trash.
10/10

Great experience providing a novel way to interact with games for me. The implications on game design and accessibility is immense. Hope there will be a sequel.

10/10 Recommend Game I DO. (Happy Yoda Noises)

Absolutely fantastic game - the voice acting is superb, the sound design astonish, and the writing and world building phenomenal.
It doesn't feel like a linear story, it feels like you're living in this world, deprived of vision, but with such a clear picture of the people you come across.
This is now in my top 5 games. Incredible.

I have never played a game like this before and I can almost guarantee you haven't either.
A full-fledged RPG conveyed entirely through sound alone, The Vale makes excellent use of audio to engage you in a mix of exploration, battles, stealth, and conversation like any other game of its genre but in ways you've never experienced before. The story is a tightly executed adventure with the supernatural and political intrigue meshed together as you are thrust into the midst of a brewing war that will decide the fate of multiple kingdoms.
Not just a novelty, it's a genuinely solid game that is fun to play. I'd recommend only getting it if you have a decent pair of headphones though, positional audio cues are key to the gameplay and being able to make them out isn't really optional.

This is not a game. This is an experience! I am in love with the feeling this game gives me. I play it with my controller and with my eyes closed. The voice acting is stunning and the sounds are so realistic.
If anyone is tempted to get this game, please please please do! I have never experienced anything like it! Close your eyes, get comfy, and go on a crazy adventure!

It is a pretty fantastic game. I am very impressed with it. It took me around 7-8 hours to compete. It has a good story, and a lot of fun features. I would rate this a solid 8.5-9/10. The ending was pretty good, but something about it felt a little bit lacking. However it was still good, and I would highly recommend this game for those who want something unique.

It is really the best game. The accessibility And the sound design. really cool.