Review of The Vale: Shadow of the Crown for Nintendo Switch

The Vale: Shadow of the Crown is a unique audio-based action RPG crafted by Falling Squirrel, in collaboration with Creative Bytes Studios and Nejcraft. Dive into this adventure as you assume the role of Alexandra, a blind princess navigating a perilous journey. In this review, we’ll delve into what makes this game stand out!

As the younger sibling of the new King, your character, Alexandra, is assigned a modest castle on the kingdom’s edge. However, things take a drastic turn when your convoy is ambushed by invaders while you cross a river with your uncle. This unexpected attack forces you to draw on your instincts and ingenuity to survive. Your quest to return safely to your brother’s castle leads you through the mysterious and treacherous terrain known as The Vale. To cater to diverse player skills, the game offers three difficulty levels: Casual, Normal, and Hard, making the adventure accessible to many.

The game can be enjoyed using either the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or the touchscreen if you’re playing in Portable or Tabletop Mode, perfect for those using a Nintendo Switch Lite. Outside of combat, the left analog stick lets you move about freely, and the right stick allows for smooth rotation on the spot. In close-quarters combat, the right analog stick is your tool for attacking. You can charge a powerful strike by holding down the stick, then releasing it in your target’s direction. For a ranged attack with your bow, press and release the ZR button. Defending requires pressing the left stick towards an incoming attack to block it successfully.

As you engage in battles and parry attacks, you accumulate favor, which eventually enables you to cast potent spells. One such spell can ignite your weapon temporarily by hitting the ZR button, while the ZL button activates a fire shield spell. This protective spell releases a fiery burst from your shield, handy in intense combat situations. By staying tuned to the game’s audio cues and timing your spells, you’ll navigate challenges effectively.

Embarking on this epic journey, you’ll realize the game heavily relies on audio cues to guide your actions, enhancing the immersive experience. Therefore, headphones are highly recommended for players to fully appreciate this aspect. Expect to invest around 5-6 hours to fight your way to safety. The Vale: Shadow of the Crown is priced at $19.99 and is available on Nintendo Switch.

This review of The Vale: Shadow of the Crown was written based on a Nintendo Switch copy graciously provided by Nejcraft.