Monument Valley - A Peaceful Puzzle Game That Feels Like Art

From the moment Monument Valley begins it sets a completely different tone from most puzzle games. The soft colours, gentle music and clean interface immediately put me at ease. This is not a game that wants to rush you. It wants you to explore.

The opening moments feel like stepping into a dreamlike world inspired by optical illusions and impossible architecture. I instantly understood that this game was designed to be savoured.

Puzzle mechanics and perspective

The puzzles are built around perspective manipulation. You rotate structures, shift platforms and change viewpoints to create new paths. What looks impossible from one angle suddenly becomes obvious from another.

I loved how intuitive the mechanics felt. Solutions rarely require complex logic. Instead they reward observation and experimentation. The game trains you to look at space differently and that skill carries through every chapter.

Level design and pacing

Each level feels handcrafted. There is a strong sense of progression without overwhelming the player. New ideas are introduced slowly and then expanded just enough to remain interesting.

The pacing is excellent. I never felt stuck for long and that is intentional. Monument Valley is designed to flow smoothly from one puzzle to the next creating a relaxing rhythm. This is a puzzle game meant for reflection rather than stress.

Visual design and art direction

The art direction is the defining feature of Monument Valley. Every level looks like a piece of modern art inspired by impossible geometry. The colour palette is soft and inviting and animations are smooth and deliberate.

I often paused just to rotate structures and admire how everything moved together. It is rare for a game to feel this cohesive visually.

Sound and emotional tone

The soundtrack is minimal and calming. Notes rise and fall gently in response to your actions which makes every movement feel intentional. The sound design enhances the meditative quality of the experience without drawing attention to itself.

This combination of audio and visuals creates a sense of calm that few games manage to achieve.

Monument Valley Replay value and expansion content

While Monument Valley is shorter than many puzzle games it offers strong replay value through its expansion content. Revisiting levels feels different once you understand the mechanics more deeply.

It is also a game that works beautifully in short sessions making it ideal for casual play without sacrificing quality.

Monument Valley is a puzzle game that prioritizes beauty and atmosphere over difficulty. It proves that games can be artful, calm and emotionally resonant without sacrificing clever design.

Is the Monument Valley game worth it?

Yes I personally think Monument Valley is absolutely worth it if you enjoy games that feel like interactive art and clever puzzles. From the first level I was struck by how soothing the visuals are and how satisfying the perspective puzzles feel when they finally click.

I have seen people say that the experience is short and that replay value may be limited once you know each level’s solution but that never bothered me because the journey itself feels special rather than repetitive. In short if you want a mind bending puzzle adventure that also doubles as a calm thoughtful experience then this game is absolutely worth trying.

Is the Monument Valley game on Switch?

The original Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2 both launched on Switch in April 2025 and they are available on the Nintendo eShop.

More recently Monument Valley 3 was released on Switch as well when the console and PC versions launched globally in July 2025 alongside other platforms like PlayStation and Xbox.

There is also a physical collection called Monument Valley The Trilogy that includes all three games for Switch and PlayStation which makes it convenient if you want the whole series in one package.

How many versions of Monument Valley are there?

There are three main entries in the Monument Valley series so far:

Monument Valley – the original game that started it all with Ida navigating surreal puzzles.
Monument Valley 2 – the sequel with a new story and added mechanics that build on the first game.
Monument Valley 3 – the latest entry featuring a new protagonist and updated environments and mechanics.

If you love puzzle games then have a read of our blog on Sleep Awake – The Frustration and Genius of This Puzzle Adventure

If you would like to know more then visit the Monument Valley official website