VAL’TY Brings a Fresh Spin to the Boomer Shooter Formula

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In a crowded indie scene full of classic “boomer shooters,” developer Vikintor and co-developer Luna Ay take a very different path with VAL’TY. This short retro-style FPS avoids many genre habits and instead focuses on strange ideas. Inspired by late 1990s and early 2000s cult shooters like MDK, Turok, and Chasm: The Rift, the game feels familiar at first, yet quickly turns into something far more unusual. You can find the game on Steam.

Players step into the role of Val’ty, a 46-year-old mother from the Valtian species, a ruthless reptilian race that already exists in Vikintor’s wider universe. The story follows Val’ty and her small daughter as they try to destroy a huge human-made machine meant to “tame” wild aliens and turn them into obedient workers.

Instead of pushing you down a straight path, VAL’TY uses a hub-based structure that rewards curiosity. After unlocking the main hub, you can choose which levels to play and return later to improve scores or search for hidden upgrades. Val’ty’s daughter is also always close by, but she is not a burden. She can be called in at any time to reach secret spots or help solve puzzles, avoiding the usual frustration found in escort missions.

Combat is built around a single weapon, the Val’tygun, keeping fights tight and focused. This gun includes both a precise sniper mode and a powerful grenade launcher, asking you to fully master one tool instead of switching between many weapons.

Outside of combat, the game leans into its playful and experimental side. Players can dance on city floors or ride the Val’tyboard, a movement system inspired by classic skateboarding games that adds speed and style to exploration.