Since the launch of Disco Elysium and subsequent turmoil at studio ZA/UM, fans of the game have been yearning for a similar game. While there has been Disco-like games released and in development, a new one that is being developed might interest fans of Disco Elysium as it has received praises from the original creators of the game itself. Narrative RPG Rue Valley, from indie developer Emotion Spark Studio, received insights and praise from Disco Elysium leads Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere who played an early demo of the game.
The isometric cRPG itself draws inspiration from titles like Outer Wilds and Disco Elysium, and packs a hand-drawn art style that combines semi-3D visuals with comic-book aesthetics, inspired by stop-motion and the “Spider-Verse” films.
In a press release, the company noted that Kurvitz was drawn to the game’s isometric art style and dialogue system. Hindpere found Rue Valley both familiar and refreshingly original, highlighting similarities in storytelling tools and dialogue mechanics, while emphasizing that the game carves its own path. Rostov, art director of Disco Elysium, engaged in an in-depth discussion about the art style, even suggesting thoughtful improvements like adding character shadows casting on themselves.
The game features time-loop mechanics, where time progresses only through player interaction, and NPCs have their own unique worldviews that breathe life into the game. The personality system allows players to shape their character’s traits, ensuring each playthrough is unique.
Key features of Rue Valley include:
- Personality system: Craft your own personality in Rue Valley. You can be a cold-hearted loner who overthinks everything or a melodramatic loudmouth who always trusts their gut instinct.
- Store Your Memories: Important memories are stored in a graph, unlocking unique interactions around the Rue Valley Motel and new mindsets to help build out the main character.
- Uncover the Secrets of Rue Valley: An anomaly has trapped the area around the Rue Valley Motel in a time loop. Experiment with the main character’s actions each day until you have enough evidence to solve the mystery.
- 2D Parallax Art Style: Rue Valley has an instantly recognizable, visually appealing comic book aesthetic inspired by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Rue Valley is set to launch later this year, with a demo available now on Steam.
