Indie developer and publisher Whaleo recently shared a new gameplay trailer for its upcoming indie puzzler The Valley of the Architects. It teases gorgeous structures and settings with a very niche theme.

In The Valley of the Architects, players lead the architectural writer Liz through Africa as a narrative unfolds. You’ll need to use elevators to solve a series of puzzles and unlock the secrets left by a mysterious architect.

The Valley of the Architects does not have an exact release date just yet. However, it’s currently slated to launch in Q1 2025 via Steam, where it already has a demo available for puzzle fans.

The fundamental idea of this game immediately struck me. I actually wanted to be an architect once! I bitterly admit it didn’t, well…pan out. No, but really, I still admire architecture very much, and more broadly the art of creation.

Creativity is one of the defining calls to action for LBR, and it’s clear that Whaleo is already onto something truly dynamic here. I just love it when a knowledgeable new perspective can shake up genres like this!

The trailer alone proves the developer has an artist’s eye, and understands how to find the beauty in structures. There’s also an authenticity that will absolutely set this apart.

The spontaneity, the dramatic lighting, and the unusual puzzle mechanics are a welcome surprise—and this genre is just the right sandbox. Players often get the chance to absorb everything, and here, simply enjoy the nature of design itself.

I have not played the full game—so don’t consider this a review by a long shot. But Valley is off to a great start, with terrific atmosphere and a healthy dose of the unexpected. I’m so curious to see how it comes together after launch! Fans of the genre, and general diorama games, should keep an eye on this.

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