CS247 – Critical Play: Puzzles

Monument Valley 3, a continuation of Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2, takes a different narrative direction from these earlier games. While they were more minimalist and interpretive, using “sacred geometry” as a symbol for fundamental parts of ourselves—such as the joy and wonder we discovered in childhood but later struggle to recall as we gradually lose and forget over time—Monument Valley 3 has a more continuous narrative. Noor’s quest to restore “light” to a failing society closely follows the classic story arc of the hero’s journey, as the failing of the old lights forces her to set out in search of a new light source. The puzzle mechanics, which are central to this game and previous iterations, involve operating mechanical cranks and levers to manipulate architecture and create pathways, which serve as challenges for Noor throughout her journey. There is also a checkpoint mechanic, as Noor needs to pass through doorways to unlock new places to explore and reach characters with speech bubbles who impart wisdom to guide her on her travels. While Noor starts off with the company of her mentor to light up towers using a magical staff, the mechanics of the puzzle force the player to leave behind her mentor in a malfunctioning tower and go onward alone, although she later experiences a vision of her mentor in a cutscene after entering a doorway, evoking a sense of loss and regret in the player. Furthermore, there is a new mechanic of a virtual joystick, allowing the player to guide the path of the boat which Totem transforms into and navigate dark and rainswept waters to reach new locations. Therefore, the puzzles create a sense of challenge, and solving them generates rewarding feelings of discovery that allows the player to share in Noor’s emotions as she progresses through her narrative journey. In particular, the side story of the family Noor rescues by guiding them to a tower with restored light draws the player into the fantasy, strengthening their emotional connection to Noor’s mission and giving rise to the game’s theme of hope and renewal in a changing era. Contextually, the rising waters and extreme weather are evocative of climate change, while the design of the Nomad with its gazelle-like mask reminds the player of the migration of humankind across the globe. Furthermore, the rise of modern technology has led to a series of historical and contemporary challenges while bringing about profound shifts in human experiences and ways of life, paralleling Noor’s journey to find a new and sustainable light through nature to replace the old and failing light. However, rather than presenting a single fixed interpretation of these themes, Monument Valley 3 can support multiple interpretations due to its evocative scenery and dialogue, encouraging a wide range of players to reflect on broader questions of change. While the flooded waters can represent the environmental issues associated with global warming, it is also reminiscent of the Abrahamic tale of Noah’s ark as Noor (notice the name similarity) tries to find a new home for the townspeople, while the shining flower that Noor and the Nomad creates resembles the Buddhist principles of enlightenment, symbolizing a source of wisdom and renewal around which the world transforms and becomes restored. However, the gameplay focuses on solving puzzles, and the wording is deliberately vague to allow the player to form their own interpretations. The architecture also draws from many different cultural sources such as Asian temples and Nordic villages, and most notably the Moroccan influences that reference the beginning of human civilization, allowing players with more artistic, historical, and religious awareness to draw more complex layers of meaning from the game. While the puzzles require some understanding of geometry and spatial reasoning, most players have enough of an innate understanding of perspective to enjoy the game, although they may need some help from internet resources when playing depending on their problem-solving abilities. Therefore, while Monument Valley 3 attempts to create a universal narrative about change, renewal, and survival, its interpretations are shaped by the cultural and educational knowledge that each player brings into the experience.