Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

Monument Valley 3

Credits

Release Date

ESRB Rating

Platforms

Publisher

Reviewer

Bob Hoose

Game Review

Monument Valley 3, like the two entries before it in this series, is a mobile game designed to test your brain with peaceful, contemplative puzzles. It’s set in a watercolor world that’s reminiscent of the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher. And it’s accompanied by soothing music and sounds designed for each level and challenge.

There isn’t much in the way of narrative here. But this game does draw players in with its light tale of a world that’s falling apart as waters rise, leaving residents of the realm trapped and isolated. The game’s hero, Noor, must venture forth to reconnect the shifting and turning bits of architecture, sail the rising waters, rescue the stranded few and find solutions to the spatial environmental puzzles around her.

Of course, the main gaming thrust here is simply those elegant and beautiful puzzles. You’ll encounter a few open-water or run-through-a-cornfield moments as you work through the various levels. But most of the challenges fall into several different puzzle categories.

In fact, those puzzle levels are rather difficult to describe without seeing them firsthand.

The easiest levels use switches to help raise, lower, split apart and turn bridge-like structures so that you can find an unexpected staircase or ladder and keep Noor moving forward. Others rely completely on changing the perspective: a twist or turn of the world, a curling plant growth pathway, an unfolding origami paper-like structure. Maneuvers like these reveal seemingly impossible paths or uncover doorways that weren’t doorways a moment before.

Again, the game’s fantastical geometrical architecture is framed in an Escher-like art style that’s unfailingly lovely to behold and venture through as you try to get from point A to point B on each level.

Monument Valley 3 is a single-player only game. After the initial download, an internet connection is not required. The game offers 10 chapters of play to start with and promises additional chapters to be released later in 2025.

POSITIVE CONTENT

Monument Valley 3 is one of the most appealing mobile puzzle games you’ll likely find. Each frame of the game could be hung on your wall like an art print. The optical illusions are compelling, and the music is soothing. On top of that, the game controls are easy to use, and the levels aren’t complicated or overly difficult.

And there’s another positive element here that’s definitely worth calling out: There are no in-game purchases or ads.

CONTENT CONCERNS    

There are no real content concerns here at all. But younger players may find the shifting perspectives and abstract requirements of the puzzles to be frustrating.

GAME SUMMARY

Monument Valley 3 won’t scratch any action/adventure itches. But those who want to shut out the noisy world might find a pleasant, “puzzling” oasis here.

Bob Hoose

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

Want to stay Plugged In?

Our weekly newsletter will keep you in the loop on the biggest things happening in entertainment and technology. Sign up today, and we’ll send you a chapter from the new Plugged In book, Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family, that focuses on how to implement a “screentime reset” in your family!