Disney Dreamlight Valley: A Rift in Time — Everything We Know

Good news, explorers — Disney Dreamlight Valley is about to exit its early access phase and, with a little sprinkle of fairy dust, onboard its first expansion. Aptly titled A Rift in Time, the upcoming update will aim to introduce a slew of fresh features, including new characters to recruit, quests to unlock, and biomes to explore. So, if you have just parted ways with the folks over in the Valley, then just know this: there’s plenty more to be done; the Night Thorns are churning out in all sorts of places, and it’s going to take a whole heap of wand waving and twilight woodcutting to send them packing.

So, to cut to the chase, what exactly is A Rift in Time, and how will it add new content to an already bustling world that’s evidently chock-full of magic and character? Well, if you are new to Gameloft’s IP, then be sure to read on. Here’s everything you need to know about the full release of Disney Dreamlight Valley, as well as its first expansion, A Rift in Time.

What Is Disney Dreamlight Valley: A Rift in Time?

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a life and farming simulation game that takes place in—you guessed it—Dreamlight Valley, a tropical island-like realm in which characters of all shapes and sizes accommodate each and every nook and cranny. Much like Stardew Valley, My Time at Portia, and Wylde Flowers, the game revolves around a community—a hub that evolves around a tapestry of friendships, vibrant biomes, and seasonal events.

Your goal in Dreamlight Valley is all rather simple: remove the Night Thorns—ultraviolet shards that have stolen the memories of the village’s former citizens—and rebuild the town from the grassy roots up, either through crafting, mining, fishing, or delving into magical portals that connect to one of several Disney-Pixar realms.

So, what’s new in Dreamlight Valley, and how does A Rift in Time slot into the overarching narrative? Well, to put it simply, it’s DLC, and something that’ll essentially bolster the game’s map and introduce new lands to explore, and quests to embark on. Interested? Then let’s press on.

Story

A Rift in Time will open up the gateway to “Eternity Isle”—a brand-new biome lost in time, and, while under the control of Jafar, something of a black hole for several characters. In addition to your newfound quest to foil Jafar’s thirst for dominance, you will set out to rescue those who’ve been kept under the influence of the tyrant’s reign, which will include Rapunzel (Tangled), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), and EVE (WALL-E).

According to the devs, A Rift in Time will roll out over three major updates, with the first one launching on December 5, 2023. Following on from this, there’ll be a second episode releasing in “Spring 2024”, and a third and final in “Summer 2024.” So, while you will be able to begin your quest before year’s end, you won’t be able to tie up all the loose ends until late 2024, when the aptly titled “Treasures of Time” update arrives.

Gameplay

A Rift in Time will include the long-forgotten Eternity Isle—a world that’ll be separated into three biomes: Ancient's Landing, Wild Tangle, and Glittering Dunes. Similar to the base game, each unique biome will include a vast collection of Quests, as well as a new character to recruit for your village. As mentioned above, there’ll be Rapunzel, Gaston, and EVE to collect, all of whom will assist you in your battle to overthrow Jafar from the throne and restore balance to the rift.

In addition to the new story arc, A Rift in Time will also feature a new tool: the Royal Hourglass—a crucial component that’ll aid your progress and give you the power to unearth hidden treasures and locations. Among these hidden treasures, you’ll find new critters, including a Cobra, Capybara, and even a Monkey. So, expect a few new friendly faces to appear in Eternity Isle and beyond.

Aside from all that, there’ll also be new gadgets and gizmos to utilize, namely the automated machines—sprinklers and cookers that’ll allow you to complete other tasks while tending to your farming and cooking duties back home. So, if you’re planning on hopping between other worlds and taking a hiatus from Dreamlight Valley, then you won’t have to worry about your projects going up in flames, basically.

Lastly, there’ll be new a mini-game to play with other members of the community. According to the devs, it’ll feature fast-paced and dynamic chess-like gameplay, which means you’ll be able to divide your time between chores and competing against friends for XP and a few additional nifty perks.

Development

And you thought the Valley was full of mysteries to uncover…

Get ready to make your journey to Eternity Isle in Disney Dreamlight Valley's expansion – A Rift In Time – coming December 5⌛️

Stay tuned for new details in the coming weeks! pic.twitter.com/jGIIaYXiFo

— Disney Dreamlight Valley (@DisneyDLV) November 1, 2023

Disney Dreamlight Valley has been in early access since October 2022, launching as a free-to-play game for all major platforms. As of October 2023, the game will no longer feature a free-to-play module, but will instead shift over to pay-to-play, which means you will need to fork over the full amount for the game in its entirety. The upcoming expansion, A Rift in Time, will be available for $29.99, and will include all the newest biomes, characters, and other features.

As it currently stands, there is no real ending in sight for Dreamlight Valley, as its creators have already gone ahead and posted a roadmap for the forthcoming year. So, if you had any doubts about the game not being around in 2024, then rest assured, as it appears to be gearing up for a long and healthy season.

Trailer

Yes, there is a trailer of A Rift in Time! You can catch a brief glimpse of the new world in all its vibrant colors in the sneak preview embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

The full release of Disney Dreamlight Valley will be available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC via Steam from December 5, 2023. A Rift in Time will cost $29.99, and will come packaged as a full-fledged expansion pass, which means, once purchased, you will have full access to the seasonal updates.

The good news is, the base game will remain on Xbox Game Pass. Having said that, the upcoming update will come with its usual tag, which means you will need to pay the additional price to enjoy all the latest offerings.

Looking to stay up to date with the next expansion? If so, then be sure to check in with the official social handle for all the latest updates here. If anything changes ahead of its December launch, then we’ll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what’s your take? Will you be returning to Dreamlight Valley in time for its newest expansion? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.