Shadow of the Vale

Shadow of the Vale is a atmospheric adventure that trades combat for exploration and puzzle-solving. You wander a fog-covered valley, uncover its history through scattered notes, and solve environmental puzzles to press forward.

The mood is the real star. The sound design and muted color palette pull you in, and there were a few moments that genuinely gave me chills. Puzzles are logical rather than obtuse, so you rarely reach for a walkthrough.

It's a shorter experience — maybe five or six hours — but it's tightly made and doesn't overstay its welcome. Play it with headphones.

What we liked

• Outstanding atmosphere and audio
• Logical, well-paced puzzles
• A tight, memorable runtime