The Valley is an adventure game with a difference. As you play you see a plan of where you are moving and you choose your directions using the cursor keys. You can be any of five characters: Wizard, Thinker, Barbarian, or Cleric. Whatever you decide on, your aim is to become the highest rank which is the 'Master of Destiny'. There are 28 ranks in all, the lowest being monster food. To obtain the highest rank possible, you must collect treasures, fight monsters and venture through perils such as swamps, woods, temples, Vounim's lair and the Black Tower.

You start in one of two safe castles at either end of the screen. A safe path is drawn between the two which you can follow, but if you do your rank will go no higher than monster food. To gain a higher rank you must leave the safety of the path to explore some of the scenarios within the valley. Here you may find treasure if you are lucky but you may also find some rather unsavoury monsters who will drain you of your stamina and may, if you are not careful, eliminate you completely.