While current-gen console titles are battling it out for the best graphics, here comes an interesting challenger: The Vale: Shadow of the Crown. The latter, developed by Falling Squirrel in collaboration with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, is an audio-only story driven, action-adventure title. Playing as a blind adventurer, the game immerses you in the character's boots quite literally as you won't be able to rely on any visual cues since there are practically no visuals in this game. You will have to fully rely on audio cues instead to progress. It will be interesting to see how the developers implemented the gameplay mechanic when the game launches later this month.

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Through the ears of the hero — blind from birth and cast out from her kingdom — players must embark on a treacherous journey as they explore the world around them, fight off enemies in challenging, interactive combat, hunt for resources, acquire gear, and lose themselves in a rich narrative supported by top-tier voice acting.

You must listen carefully to voices in the crowded marketplace that lead you to shops or your next quest, the clank of armor and battle cries as relentless enemies approach you, and the grunts and rustling of wild beasts as you hunt in thick forests.

Key Features of The Vale: Shadow of the Crown include:

• Accessible Gaming: Haptic controller feedback, binaural audio technology, and professional cinematic voice acting guides players through real-time combat, exploration, quests, and cut scenes, making this a gaming experience that is accessible to visually impaired and sighted players alike.
  
• Diverse Soundscape Environments: The bustle of busy villages, the gentle rustling of leaves through the trees in the forests, the eerie echoes of the unknown in dank caves — full 3-dimensional sound surrounds players from all sides as they adventure in over 20 diverse locations ripe for exploration.
  
• Immersive Medieval Combat: Players become engaged in the action in a way that is entirely refreshing as a diverse set of enemies attack with random and story-based encounters, boss battles, and more. Intuitive battle clamor guides players towards enemies as they attack and defend against their foes.
  
• Meaningful RPG Elements: Presented with a choice of combat styles, players will guide their fully-voiced hero and build their potential as they unlock upgradable magic paths, loot enemies, hunt animals for valuable items, and visit shops to purchase weapons and armor — each with unique sounds and stats.
  
• A Story for the Ages: With optional narrative paths including over 20 side quests, and more than 70 audio cutscenes, players will uncover twists and surprises as they travel the land and speak with the many unique and fully voiced characters they encounter.

The Vale: Shadow of the Crown will be available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and Xbox One on August 19, 2021.

SOURCE: GBAtemp Inbox

 

[TaruDev_]

Gamedev: Hey so uhmm... we kinda don't have a budget left for hiring artist.
Manager: Aight then just don't...
Gamedev: okie-dokie

 

[YuseiFD]

Yes, this is going to sell good, blind people just have to hear about it first.

 

[raxadian]

Does this include text subtitles?

 

[FAST6191]

Those wanting to play something possible a bit like this there is the hyena audiobook player for the DS. Its main book most would meet then being book 1 of an old fantasy tabletop/book/choose your own adventure RPG called Lone Wolf.
https://www.projectaon.org/staff/jens/
It is a pretty interesting way to play a game, and can be done much like you might listen to an audiobook or whatever with eyes closed. Granted this sounds like it will be doing far more than that (the thing linked it mostly text to speech for an old adventure book).

Though if you are interested in the more classical approach then a few more of the Lone Wolf series
https://www.projectaon.org/staff/frederic/

I believe later stuff still made it android and IOS but I have not played those.


Anyway curious to see what this one brings. Quite often I have had things that had to lean into one aspect be good at it by necessity or as a result of not spreading themselves thin, though it is no guarantee. Also rarely see audio design be a thing in games; most consider themselves good if they have Doppler effect and some indoor/outdoor echoes.

 

[osaka35]

i've been developing a game along the same vein. it'll be interesting to see how this game turns out. hear how it turns out. errr...imma play it.

 

[HideoKojima]

Shouldn't the trailer be on SoundCloud instead ?

 

[eyeliner]

So, medieval combat, eh? One more game set in medieval times.

Suggestion: a game about the struggle of a blind person crossing the street. With audio cues coming from the stop lights. And cars. And people. And children playing ball. And older people farting while walking, because they shred major ass.

And added difficulty coming from you stepping on gum, dog poop, and avoiding the smell of older people's farts.

Wasted opportunity here.

 

[Seliph]

Oh this sounds fun!

 

[CoolMe]

This remind me an Indie game on the 360 (forget it's name) where the screen is pitch black, and you move based on what you hear alone, it was a 2D sidescroller type with not much hurdles..

 

[WiiU_user]

Looks interesting!

 

[FAST6191]

Looks interesting!

There is a review of it now
https://gbatemp.net/review/the-vale-shadow-of-the-crown.1878/

 

[WiiU_user]

Thank you!