Recently, publisher Owlcat Games, together with Emotion Spark Studio – the indie developer behind the narrative RPG Rue Valley – shared insights into the game’s development on the Human Can Opener Podcast. Praised by Disco Elysium creators Robert Kurvitz and Aleksander Rostov, Rue Valley is set to launch later this year, with a demo available now on Steam.
Starting development in 2020 with a team of four, Rue Valley draws inspiration from titles like Outer Wilds and Disco Elysium. 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.
The game’s hand-drawn art style, inspired by stop-motion and the “Spider-Verse” films, combines semi-3D visuals with comic-book aesthetics. Years of experimentation went into perfecting the lighting, textures, and animations.
A pivotal moment in development came when Disco Elysium creators Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere visited Belgrade and played the Rue Valley demo. Their insights not only validated the team’s creative vision but also provided invaluable feedback that helped refine its core elements.
Kurvitz, renowned for his groundbreaking work in Disco Elysium and his novel Sacred and Terrible Air, was immediately drawn to the game’s isometric art style and dialogue system. At one particularly challenging moment in gameplay, his genuine excitement upon overcoming it electrified the Emotion Spark team, reinforcing their belief in the game’s depth and engagement.
Hindpere, playing the demo separately, described Rue Valley as both familiar and refreshingly original. She recognized similarities in storytelling tools and dialogue mechanics but emphasized that the game carves its own path.
Rostov, the visionary art director of Disco Elysium, delved into the visual identity of Rue Valley. During a follow-up visit to the studio, he engaged in an in-depth discussion about the art style, even suggesting thoughtful improvements like adding character shadows casting on themselves, which left a lasting impression on the team.
Their feedback served as both encouragement and inspiration, reaffirming Rue Valley’s potential as a bold and emotionally complex narrative RPG.
Marko Smiljanic, Creative Director at Emotion Spark, described the experience as surreal. He mentioned that meeting the creators of Disco Elysium—a game that heavily inspired Rue Valley—was both humbling and motivating. Hearing their feedback and seeing them enjoy the game was a dream come true for the team.
For players eager to experience Rue Valley, a free demo version is now available on Steam. The demo offers a glimpse into the game’s unique mechanics, art style, and narrative depth, allowing players to explore the world and systems that have already captivated industry veterans.
