Game Information
Name: Monument Valley
Creator: Ustwo, ustwo studio Ltd.
Platform: Android, IOS, and Windows
Target Audience: Ages 4+
Monument Valley is a game where players delve into a maze of mysteries and illusions that transcend mere visual aesthetics. It’s a game that artfully blends narrative with gameplay, enveloping players within its stimulating environments that enrich every interaction. By seemingly integrating impossible geometries and physics with interactive mechanics, Monument Valley challenges traditional perceptions of logic to immerse players within its immersive and simulating world. The mechanics of puzzles in Monument Valley carefully weaves narrative and mystery, where each puzzle engages players while also advancing the overarching storyline.
When first playing this game, the visual aesthetic particularly stood out in the way that it blends simplicity, mystery-driven gameplay, and a polished design that distinguishes itself from other games. The visuals are not merely aesthetically pleasing, but they provide the backbone of its gameplay and thematic depth. For example, navigating through changing landscapes challenged me to not only solve puzzles but also rethink my understanding of perception. These mechanics also add layers to the narrative, making for a more immersive experience where players have to constantly shift their perspectives to unravel the mysteries (and puzzles) of the game.
The narrative of Monument Valley is non-linear, where its mysteries are embedded not only in its storyline but also the environments of the game. There are subtle clues that are woven into the structures of the game that slowly reveal the story of Princess Ida; Ida’s story is one of redemption and forgiveness, as she wanders through a fallen society of sacred geometries interacting with the ghosts that remain. Because these clues and interactions are subtle, players are encouraged to engage deeply within the game, piecing together the context and significance of Ida’s journey.
Monument Valley’s mechanics are very intuitive and encourage exploration of what’s possible within the game. Unlike games that emphasize complex gameplay mechanics, Monument Valley prioritizes immersiveness and an emotional engagement with its visuals and sonics. This distinction underscores Monument Valley’s focus on emotional resonance and introspective storytelling, offering a unique gaming experience that contrasts with games like The Witness and Portal who rely on more complex gameplay.
While the gameplay is aesthetically pleasing and has intuitive mechanics, I found myself occasionally wanting more. This could be in part because the game is geared for an audience as young as four years old, so the level of difficulty may be toned down to some extent. But, having what felt like constant difficulty levels took away from the gameplay experience. I would have liked to see more range of difficulty amongst levels, or even having multiple solutions or paths within levels. That way, the player doesn’t feel stagnated and can continue to look for the challenge that they yearn for. If the level of difficulty also aligned with the narrative arc of the story, this could have also created for more intense or emotional experiences in players. Even with the introduction of new mechanics, I didn’t feel like I was being challenged as much as I would have liked. I did find the overarching storyline captivating and interesting, but it would have also been nice to have deeper narrative immersion since these elements were sprinkled in subtly.
Beyond the discussion about difficulty ranges within levels, using Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics can further help us analyze how Monument Valley’s puzzle mechanics enrich the gameplay experience. The core game relies on manipulating the environment to explore and the world, influencing feelings of curiosity and discovery, which turn into the aesthetics of awe and delight. From navigating the intricate structures of Monument Valley or learning new movements that offer intellectual stimulation, I felt that for the most part there was a pleasant balance between challenge and immersion, making the game feel like a true journey of discovery.
