After usTwo Games‘ indie hit Monument Valley debuted on mobile devices back in 2014 and cemented its place in the mainstream gaming community as a standout artistic offering, two wonderful sequels have since released, both growing the audience and delighting fans of the series, now on PC and consoles as well! The newest entry, Monument Valley III, has joined the lineup of perspective-warping, mind-bending puzzle titles, and I recently completed everything the game has to offer.
Like a brilliant blend of The Beatles Yellow Submarine and the mathematically inspired graphic art-style of M. C. Escher, Monument Valley III, a previous Netflix Games exclusive, takes players on a brief but powerful journey through an ever-evolving world of intriguing intellectual challenges that reward thinking outside of the box. Presented with a series of surrealist architectural puzzle spaces, the colors, creativity, and clever craftsmanship shine through in a remarkably unique and charming way, though the narrative the game weaved wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
The player sets sail for adventure as Noor, a young apprentice who must explore a beautiful and expansive world of puzzles and mystery, as she undertakes a voyage to restore the fading beacon of the lighthouse that brings color and life to the world. The player must battle against storms at sea and what lurks beneath the choppy waves, interact with shifting architecture that defies all reason and logic, and gain allies to assist in bringing balance to the natural order as Noor’s mentor entrusts her with a powerful magic staff of light that can create artifacts that will aid in her endeavors. Making the mesmerizing artifacts with a series of analogue twists and twirls was a small but enjoyable element that really showcased another aspect of creativity, providing the player with the distinct agency to create within the world, rather than simply manipulate their surroundings.
Throughout the experience, I found myself reshaping ancient structures to make paths forward, defying gravity, shifting perspectives, flipping the world upside down, and opening massive sea gates that allowed me passage into other realms. The art-style was slightly altered in each stage, as were the mechanics necessary to advance. The gameplay remained fresh and engaging with each new area, and with a run time around about 1-2 hours, the game remained fun and kept me interested from start to finish; so much so that I beat it in one sitting and even went back to replay some of the levels to take in the sights.
Noor’s primary companion on her quest, much like in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, was a lovely little boat, one featuring a personality represented entirely through its singular eye movements across its sail. This boat served as a controllable ferry from puzzle to puzzle, often becoming part of the solution in certain chapters, as well as providing a means of mostly safe transport for Noor’s other new friends. Some of the most enjoyment I experienced came from sailing around and observing the ocean’s flora and fauna, as these trips were dripping with gorgeous visuals during both calm seas and stormy weather.
Much of the beauty in this game came from its subtlety and nuanced level design, telling a story through environmental means, which helped to inform the player of the importance of each brief segment of dialogue. The conversations were often one-sided and kept brief to enhance their impact within the framework of the narrative. This highlighted the weight of the information being presented, while not breaking the immersion of the seemingly simple yet refined and inspired gameplay. Not only was this efficient and effective, but it was expertly executed.
Many of the scenarios felt like a dream, filled with wonder and imagination, while remaining grounded in Noor’s determination to achieve her goal and return things to the way they were meant to be. With each valve I spun, platform I raised, and walkway I twisted, I retained a certain bewildered fascination with the great game design, while remaining absorbed in this excellent entrancing adventure.
Monument Valley III not only achieves the quality and intuitive gameplay of its predecessors; it exceeds expectations and simply improves on the formula in every way I thought possible. I think for this style of game, a short slice of admirable artistry and adventure, it deserves an official score 8/10.
I’d like to thank the team at usTwo for sharing this heartfelt and handcrafted experience with me, and I am more than excited to see what they have in store when the new content release later this year! I’d also like to thank them for creating Alba: A Wildlife Adventure; this team really knows how to craft a charming adventure that does the heart some good.
Monument Valley III is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Switch, and PS5.
