Valley Peaks Nintendo Switch Release Indefinity Delayed After April 2024 Announcement

Valley Peaks is a first-person, cozy platformer developed by Tub Club and published by Those Awesome Guys, known for games like Move or Die and Monster Prom. Initially announced in Nintendo’s April 2024 Indie World Showcase, it was released on Steam in June 2024 to great success, garnering “very positive” reviews.

😢🐸 Some unfortunate news regarding our ability to release on Switch… Thank you to everyone who has supported Valley Peaks! 💚 https://t.co/YQc0v5nv4N

— Valley Peaks – Out Now!⛰️🐸 (@valleypeaksgame) October 16, 2024

However, the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch port has been delayed indefinitely due to internal challenges at Those Awesome Guys. Those Awesome Guys announced via Twitter that the Nintendo Switch port is on indefinite hold. The company cited “rough times” throughout 2024, leading them to shift their focus internally.

Despite the delay, the publisher hasn’t ruled out bringing Valley Peaks to the Switch later, but they advise fans to temper their expectations for now.

Valley Peaks Is a Platformer of Puzzles

At its heart, Valley Peaks is a first-person platformer with a cozy, charming atmosphere centred around climbing mountains that act as puzzles. Each summit offers unique challenges, from crumbling rocks and spikes to minecarts that test your platforming skills. Your objective as a frog protagonist is to climb these peaks to install radio towers, continuing the work of your missing father, a renowned scientist.

The whimsical art style, the game’s tranquil pacing and exploration of the mountainous village make Valley Peaks a compelling adventure. Players are encouraged to interact with villagers, uncover secrets about the protagonist’s father, and gradually reveal the importance of climbing in this tightly-knit community. While seemingly straightforward at first, the game’s mountain routes (blue, yellow, and red) introduce varying degrees of difficulty as players progress, adding complexity and depth to the experience.

Valley Peak Climbing Mechanic and Gear System

In Valley Peaks, climbing requires using the right and left shoulder triggers, making for an intuitive yet challenging experience. The game’s climbing mechanics are layered with environmental hazards like timed collapsing rocks, moving carts, and spiked walls. Mastering your equipment is crucial to scaling the mountains without falling and losing progress.

Throughout Valley Peaks, players collect gear by completing stamp cards and finishing mountains for the first time. These upgrades, such as sledges, gliders, and a time-slowing watch, make climbing easier and enhance the experience. There’s also a variety of collectables to find —mushrooms, nuts, bolts, and gacha items to customise your watch — giving players plenty of incentives to explore off the beaten path.

Valley Peak Tips and Strategies

After playing Valley Peaks ourselves, here are five recommendations for players seeking an easier time navigating the cozy platformer puzzles:

1. Mastering the Climbing Controls
   • Holding the left and right trigger buttons is essential to maintaining your grip. Practice switching between them to make smooth, efficient climbs.
   • Watch out for timed rocks — these collapse after a short period, so plan your moves in advance. Utilise your watch to slow time if you feel like you’re going to miss a jump or lose grip.
2. Explore All Routes
   • Though blue routes are the easiest, challenge yourself by tackling yellow and red routes to unlock better rewards and gear.
   • Don’t get discouraged if you fall. The game auto-saves your progress along the route but falling will set you back to the start of your current climb.
3. Complete Stamp Cards
   • Prioritise completing stamp cards by finishing each mountain’s climbs. You’ll receive gear that makes subsequent climbs easier.
   • You can also purchase completed stamp cards in the villages using mushrooms you’ve collected.
4. Make Use of Gacha Items and Customizations
   • Collect different juices to change the colour of your watch, and try out Gacha items to customise your gear further.
   • These aesthetic changes don’t impact gameplay but help make the experience more personal.
5. Navigating the Map
   • Use your binoculars (activated by pressing down the right joystick) to scout out which mountains you haven’t climbed yet.
   • The game’s map system can be confusing at first, so try to memorise distinct landmarks and keep track of your location as you explore.

Challenges and Flaws in the Experience

Despite the charm, Valley Peaks does have its flaws. The game’s map system, which only unlocks as you install radio transmitters, can leave players feeling lost in its vast, visually similar environments. The lack of a pin system to guide you to objectives, coupled with the map resetting in the latter half of the game, can lead to frustration, especially for those seeking a more casual experience.

Furthermore, some players have reported issues with the camera and glitches, such as being thrown off a mountain and having to reset progress. These technical hiccups, while rare, can disrupt the immersive experience, especially when trying to tackle more difficult mountains.

One of the game’s standout aspects is its whimsical story, but it also has its downfalls in the pacing of side quests. NPC dialogue tends to be repetitive, and distinguishing between main characters and those offering fetch quests can feel tedious. Although minigames and side activities are scattered throughout the game, some of these can feel underwhelming in their execution, offering little incentive to explore them fully.

Closing Notes

Overall, Valley Peaks is a charming and whimsical game that shines in its climbing mechanics and unique art style. While it has its share of challenges and occasional frustrations, it offers a delightful platforming adventure that resonates with fans of cozy, puzzle-filled worlds.

Though the indefinite delay for the Nintendo Switch version is disappointing, the game’s Steam version remains a solid choice for those eager to dive into this mountainous world. However, we encourage prospective players to try the demo to ensure the game’s visual style and mechanics align with their preferences before committing.

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