Heaven's Vault

by inkle Ltd

The Developer Says...

An archaeologist uncovers a lost history in an ancient space Nebula. Award-winning narrative adventure game with hieroglyphic language puzzles, from the creators of 80 DAYS.

Players Like...

❤ Exploring an Ancient Language

As an archaeologist named Aliya, you'll sail between the moons of a mysterious nebula, searching for artifacts and deciphering the hieroglyphic script of an extinct civilization. The core gameplay loop revolves around translating these ancient inscriptions, which tasks you with piecing together the meanings of individual glyphs to assemble coherent phrases.

❤ Translation Process

The translation process is not a straightforward one. Rather than providing direct word-for-word translations, the game encourages experimentation and deduction. As you discover more glyphs and gain context from the environment, you'll gradually build your understanding of the "Ancient" language, with your growing expertise influencing Aliya's interpretation of the world's history.

❤ Narrative Impact

Importantly, the choices you make during translation and dialogue have a tangible impact on the narrative. The game's adaptive storytelling means Aliya's relationships and knowledge will evolve based on your actions, creating a strong sense of player agency. For example, misinterpreting a crucial inscription could send you down the wrong narrative path, potentially altering the game's conclusion.

❤ Navigating the Nebula

Navigating the nebula also plays a key role in the experience. You'll carefully steer your ship between moons, ensuring you don't miss any important archaeological sites or artifacts along the way. This exploration element provides a steady stream of new discoveries to translate, further deepening your understanding of the civilization you're investigating.

❤ Gameplay Praise

Players frequently praise the unique and satisfying nature of the translation mechanic, which challenges them to become "archaeologists" by piecing together an ancient script. The flexibility to explore at your own pace and uncover artifacts in any order is also widely appreciated, as it allows for a sense of organic discovery. Additionally, the way the narrative reacts to your choices is often cited as a highlight, making each playthrough feel distinct and personal.

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