Monument Valley, a series celebrated for its surreal design and captivating puzzles, returns with Monument Valley 3. Known for its intricate Escher-style architecture and stunning visuals, this mobile game is set to captivate old fans and new players alike. Here’s our deep dive into what makes Monument Valley 3 a mesmerizing experience.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Fans may remember the groundbreaking Monument Valley and its sequel Monument Valley 2. Both games stood out as one of the few mobile titles truly worth playing, delivering a unique blend of art, storytelling, and puzzle-solving.

With Monument Valley 3, we return to the familiar world of optical illusions, abstract architecture, and emotional journeys.

“I honestly did not expect this series to get a sequel, but I am so here for it!”

A Game About Perspective

At its core, Monument Valley 3 continues to play with trippy perspectives. The game challenges players to manipulate structures, pathways, and environments to guide a young protagonist—this time, a child named “N”—to the exit.

Pillar and Height Mechanics:
The game introduces pillars that denote height, but movement within these structures often involves horizontal rather than vertical navigation, creating puzzles that defy logical expectations.
Illusions and Shifting Blocks:
Players must twist their perception of space, sliding and rotating platforms to open new paths and solve challenges.

Immersive Gameplay and New Features

Dynamic Sliding and Combining Blocks

Unlike previous entries, Monument Valley 3 introduces puzzles that rely heavily on sliding blocks and combining pathways. Manipulating entire chunks of land is more frequent here, adding complexity to the gameplay.

“This is the most slidy block stuff we’ve actually had to work with!”

Teamwork and Companion Elements

The game introduces new NPCs (non-playable characters) who interact with the protagonist. These characters often help with puzzles, requiring teamwork to hold down switches or unlock doors.

A World You Want to Live In

Monument Valley’s iconic visuals and soothing audio remain stunning as ever:

Visual Design:
Each level is an art piece, combining minimalist structures with vibrant colors and optical illusions.
Atmosphere:
The world feels alive. Characters are seen relaxing, cleaning, or going about their lives, creating a sense of calm and peace.

“It’s a world I want to live in—everything seems so calm and peaceful.”

Storytelling Through Puzzles

While the puzzles remain the focus, Monument Valley 3 continues the series’ tradition of delivering an abstract story. Players follow a journey that is both emotional and mysterious, punctuated by symbolic moments:

Collecting stars to illuminate lighthouses,
Exploring forgotten temples, and
Uncovering themes of growth, sacrifice, and community.

“Every time we collect these stars, we bring them back to a lighthouse and that brings more people to this dock… for what purpose? Community building.”

Key Highlights and Unique Puzzles

Rotation-Based Levels

The ability to rotate entire islands adds a new layer of complexity to the puzzles. Changing perspectives reveals hidden paths and alternate solutions.

Art Transitions

Some levels blur the line between 2D and 3D art. Platforms unfold like paintings, creating pathways that shift between flat surfaces and 3D spaces.

“It goes from 2D flat ground to a 3D cube—it’s trippy and brilliant.”

Emotional Moments and Sacrifice

The narrative hits emotional beats with powerful symbolism. One notable moment is when the protagonist must part ways with a companion to progress, echoing themes of growth and letting go.

“For one to go forward, one must stay behind—human sacrifice, tragic but necessary.”

A Journey of Light and Darkness

The game culminates in a series of powerful visuals:

Rising waters and falling towers symbolize chaos and change.
A “Blood Moon” moment stands out as a stark visual contrast, adding drama to the final chapters.

The protagonist’s journey ultimately brings them back to the lighthouse, now monochrome and crumbling, highlighting the theme of rebuilding and hope.

Conclusion

Monument Valley 3 is a triumphant continuation of the series, blending mind-bending puzzles, stunning visuals, and a subtle, emotional narrative. The game successfully builds on its predecessors while introducing new mechanics like rotating islands, sliding blocks, and teamwork elements.

If you’re a fan of artistic games or puzzle adventures, Monument Valley 3 is a must-play, and with Netflix Games offering it for free, there’s no excuse not to dive into this gorgeous world.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

A Game About Perspective