The primary Monument Valley recreation proved that cellular releases could be rather more than idle time-killers. Considerate, with sensible degree design and memorable visuals, Monument Valley is among the most memorable video video games for cellular and presumably of all time. Monument Valley 2 constructed upon the primary video games’ improvements to widespread acclaim, and Monument Valley 3 goals to recapture the magic as soon as once more.
Monument Valley 3 is the collection’ second sequel, which opens it as much as extra questions. Can the sport stand out from its award-winning predecessors whereas retaining the collection’ spirit alive? Is it appropriate to name Monument Valley a puzzle game? And the way do Ustwo and Netflix’s company practices align with what’s a shocking murals on the floor?
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Monument Valley 3’s visuals stay gorgeous and memorable
There’s eye sweet galore for veterans and newcomers
The video under incorporates puzzle options for Chapter 7 of Monument Valley 3.
Monument Valley 3 is a visually gorgeous recreation that evokes the minimalist spirit of the primary title whereas introducing loads of new ideas. When you’ll acknowledge the isometric, clean-cut buildings lifted from the primary two video games, Monument Valley 3 provides gloomy atmospheres, vibrant splashes of sunshine, and loads of water into the combo.
It is fascinating how Ustwo has constructed upon the signature aesthetic of the collection. The water ranges in Monument Valley 3 are notably memorable. Crashing waves, heavy downpours, and ominous shadows of underwater leviathans match neatly into the collection’ aesthetics whereas taking it into new territory. It is a quietly spectacular journey, with sufficient sudden moments to make sure you aren’t getting complacent. Nevertheless, for me, all of it fell a little bit quick. My favourite degree impressed me at each flip with its origami-like animations, however it was over in mere minutes.
Monument Valley 3’s animations and visuals are worthy of excessive reward, however even the cleverest animations cannot disguise that the builders have taken zero dangers when introducing new ideas and gameplay challenges.
Monument Valley 3’s gameplay is nice, however too acquainted
Do not count on drastic adjustments to the Monument Valley formulation
I’ve at all times felt barely dishonest describing Monument Valley as a puzzle recreation. Whereas there’s loads of the “Get merchandise A to level B” motion, combined with hidden platforms and sudden reveals, the video games maintain your palms by linear ranges. Even probably the most difficult Monument Valley phases could be solved by randomly tapping on the display for a very good jiffy, and Monument Valley 3 is not any completely different.
Whereas there have been definitely “Oh! THAT’S how that works” moments in Monument Valley 3, I not often felt the options arose due to intelligent deduction on my half. A barely irritating ingredient of the sport is that almost all ranges do not provide the probability to experiment with new puzzles. As soon as you’ve got found out the trick for the degrees within the chapter, it is over, and also you’re onto the subsequent part with a brand new puzzle.
Nevertheless, this is not a foul factor by itself. The enjoyment of Monument Valley is the trip, if the puzzles had been too difficult the immersion may break. I used to be suitably impressed by how the builders constructed every degree, though a little bit voice behind my head quietly yearned for extra participant company in how we get from level A to B.
Monument Valley 3, whereas introducing loads of contemporary gimmicks, is neither a step ahead nor backward for the collection. It is a quiet, fastidiously designed journey similar to its predecessors, however I want Ustwo had taken extra dangers moderately than retreading the identical paths. I choose to think about it as a murals first and puzzle recreation second, however this strategy raises much more questions
How ought to we view Monument Valley 3 as artwork?
Monument Valley 3’s background is value a more in-depth look
As I’ve mentioned, Monument Valley 3 is much less a puzzle recreation and extra of a press release. In an interview with The Verge, Monument Valley 3’s lead developer acknowledged that the sport is about “bringing folks collectively.” It is a clear message in-game; there are a number of ranges the place you reunite households torn aside in a storm, and the forged of characters is considerably bigger than within the earlier releases. There’s additionally a robust message of environmental destruction as water ranges rise and lap dangerously at your toes (Ustwo has a web page on its web site describing its new initiative to combat flooding worldwide). Nevertheless, the entire thing smacks of an organization extra concerned with its public picture than creating thrilling video games.
Ustwo has lengthy introduced itself because the very picture of a progressive, groundbreaking recreation developer. Its web site is crammed with inspiring quotes, and snapshots of its workplaces present open inexperienced areas the place the suggestion is that workers are free to pursue their passions.
However when a big proportion of Ustwo Fampany’s (A cringe-inducing portmanteau of “household” and “firm”) income comes from investments and partnerships with corporations like Meta and Alphabet, when it seemingly has a report of firing an employee for union activity, and when accusations have been leveled at it for partaking in company gaslighting, the indie pleasure of Monument Valley 3 is tarnished. Is without doubt one of the most anticipated video games of 2024 merely a PR stunt?
Whereas this definitely is not fully true, Ustwo Video games is filled with devoted builders; it is clear that Monument Valley 3 has a a lot deeper background than gifted recreation designers stretching their artistic muscle mass.
There’s additionally the added complication of the sport being locked behind a Netflix subscription. Despite the fact that less than 1% of Netflix subscribers play its video games, that is nonetheless thousands and thousands of potential gamers Ustwo can attain. General, I am not offered on the inspiring anti-capitalist and environmental message pushed by Ustwo’s video games when the corporate seemingly engages in union-busting techniques whereas making offers with company giants.
So, with all this in thoughts, it is clear that Monument Valley 3 is now not the dynamic, groundbreaking collection it as soon as was. Whereas I definitely suggest giving it a go you probably have a Netflix subscription, do not count on to be blown away.
Monument Valley 3 is a secure sequel that goals to please
It is a visually spectacular however shallow expertise
In some ways, Monument Valley 3 appears like an commercial for Ustwo, not as a contemporary piece of online game artwork. There is no risk-taking, no freedom, and definitely no controversy as you journey by atmospheric puzzles. As an alternative, what you get is a sanitized journey by family-friendly ranges that conveys the message that Ustwo Fampany is dedicated to breaking new floor, simply do not probe too deeply.
Monument Valley is out immediately on iOS and Android. You want a Netflix subscription to play, however there are not any adverts or in-app purchases.
