The upcoming narrative RPG Rue Valley has caught the attention of some of the most respected names in the genre. The creators of Disco Elysium—Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere—have lauded the game’s development journey, praising its distinct art direction, deep narrative, and innovative mechanics. Developed by indie studio Emotion Spark and published by Owlcat Games, Rue Valley is set to launch later this year, but eager players can already experience it through a newly released demo on Steam.
Praised By Disco Elysium Devs
The development team recently shared insights on the Human Can Opener Podcast, detailing their creative process and inspirations. Built by a small team that started in 2020, Rue Valley blends narrative-driven exploration with time-loop mechanics, where time only progresses through player actions. The game draws influence from Disco Elysium and Outer Wilds, focusing on dynamic NPC interactions and a flexible personality system that allows for unique character builds.
Kurvitz, known for his work on Disco Elysium and Sacred and Terrible Air, found himself deeply engaged with Rue Valley‘s isometric world and dialogue system. At one critical gameplay moment, his excitement over a particularly challenging sequence reaffirmed the game’s depth for the developers. Hindpere praised Rue Valley for balancing familiar narrative mechanics with fresh and original storytelling, while Rostov, an expert in visual design, provided the team with valuable artistic feedback—going as far as suggesting subtle refinements to character lighting and shading.
For Marko Smiljanic, Creative Director at Emotion Spark, receiving validation from the Disco Elysium team was an unforgettable experience. Meeting the very developers who had inspired their project and seeing them engage with Rue Valley in such a meaningful way was both surreal and deeply motivating.
About Rue Valley
Set within a mysterious, looping reality, Rue Valley places players in the shoes of a protagonist struggling to break free from an anomaly. NPCs have distinct worldviews that shape interactions, and memories are stored in a graph, unlocking new dialogue options and character traits over time. The game’s comic book-inspired visuals, influenced by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, create a striking aesthetic that blends 2D parallax art with semi-3D environments.
Key Features:
- Adaptive Personality System: Define your protagonist’s personality through choices—become an overanalyzing recluse or an impulsive charmer.
- Memory-Based Progression: Key events and interactions shape the character’s mindset, altering dialogue and gameplay options.
- Time-Loop Mystery: Experiment with different actions to gather enough information to unravel Rue Valley‘s enigmatic time anomaly.
- Distinct Visual Style: A unique, animated comic book aesthetic that enhances the game’s immersive storytelling.
Players can get a firsthand look at Rue Valley with the free demo, available now on Steam. Wishlist the game to stay updated on its release and experience a rich, narrative-driven journey that has already captivated some of the genre’s most influential voices.
