Valley Peaks Review: Surpassing the Insurmountable
Today is a mountain and so is tomorrow. They are mountains we climb apart and mountains we climb together. However some mountains of the past linger, becoming insurmountable obstacles in our mind. Sometimes climbing a mountain is just a physical activity, while other times can mean much more. Valley Peaks seek to explore all these facets in a wonderful and emotional game.
A Presentation of Only Peaks
I had to start here, of course I did. If you’ve looked at the game you know why, if not sit back as I play the keys of this lovely instrument.
As you begin the game driving down the road to the setting of Valley Peaks, you see a sight that could easily be described as a crunchy 3D vista. Once you’re moving around on your own, it becomes apparent that it’s not faulty hardware, but the artistic direction of this lovely game. With diagonal line shading, object bleeding, and low-poly, Valley Peaks has an absolute vibe. Where some games that share a close bond evoke a low-poly or Nintendo DS feel, Valley Peaks says thank you, but wants to run with that and do my own thing.
In the process, Valley Peaks is visually unique and I absolutely love it. I am biased towards the era of crunchy 3D visuals from Sega Saturn, PlayStation and Nintendo 64, but I can say with absolute certainty this game sets itself apart from all of those with aplomb.
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Valley Peaks is a Mountain Climbing game with helpers. Throughout the game you’ll earn tickets that you are able to exchange for new support items and various upgrades. These items, in turn, give you more freedom of exploration and saves your butt if you choose to use them.
On the inside Valley Peaks is a left hand, right hand, left hand gameplay loop - grab the next spot and head on up. Where it sets itself apart though is the amount of variety of obstacles you’ll face climbing these extremely varied mountains. Rocks will break apart and rocks could adhere to the childhood game of “Red Light, Green Light”, are just two examples of the scenarios that you can encounter. The game does a great job of introducing these switch ups gradually, with the difficulty moving in tandem.
To say Valley Peaks is challenging is apt, but it can also be a friend and help you up as much as you wish it to be. The customization of support items, modules that can increase item use time and more, really add to the experience and makes your playthrough your own.
Story for the Soul
I don’t want to delve too deep into the story of Valley Peaks as it’s especially touching. It also goes in unexpected directions, but absolutely welcomed in our current landscape (Heh, geography pun.)
In the beginning you, a loyal employee of the company, are tasked with finishing the job your father had set out to do years before. You set out to this locale to climb these mountains, and place special radios atop their peaks. In-between and all-around, you’ll also find collectible polaroids strewn about the land. Picking these up gives a look into your, and your father’s past in brief moments of nostalgic history.
You’ll climb those 11 mountains and place those 11 radios. What awaits you afterwards however, is too special and relatable to spoil. So I leave the story section unfinished, for you to seek out for yourself and enjoy.
Breakdown
Game: Valley Peaks
Developer: Tub Club
Publisher: Those Awesome Guys
Availability: PC (Later on Nintendo Switch)
Reviewed on Steam Deck
Pros:
+ Engaging and simple climbing mechanic
+ Forgiving Support Tools to help with climbing runs
+ Surprisingly touching and relatable story
Cons:
- Some paths feel harder than the signpost assigned to them
- Experienced various bugs pre-launch that required a reset
Final Thoughts
From the moment I set eyes upon Valley Peaks during Next Fest, I knew I wanted to jump in and experience the game, regardless of the gameplay loop.
I’m happy to say what is on offer here in the full release is more than the sum of its parts in unexpected and welcomed ways. I didn’t expect myself to completely have a paused moment halfway through and relate not just with the game and its characters but also the developers.
Valley Peaks is a special game that you think is over quickly, but keeps on going, and in doing so relays a very personal and important message to us all: Keep going. I can’t recommend it enough, and hope you enjoy your time spent here as much as I did.
Reviewed by MC Wright