A Journey Through Monument Valley
M.C. Escher, Portal, and Fez all wrapped into one
Warning: This may contain spoilers
When I first saw Monument Valley’s website I was hooked. That art style could sell itself without a game at all. A strange mixture between low-poly, 8-bit and N64 style maps made it an irresistible canvas of beauty. Before even opening the game for the first time, my mind was racing to know the different nuances of the game. I could already hear the whimsical notes that would be playing in the background of such serene landscapes, accompanied by traditional achievement-based power up noises we all know from classic gaming. Who was the main character? What was the reason for their journey, quest, or peril? Would I be able to speak with my companion? I had to know.
I picked up my iPad and without hesitation punched in my password sending $3.99, the most I’d ever spent on a single iOS app, to the developers whom I’d hoped created a world that lived up to my absurd internal hype.
So how was it…?
Story
Ida’s journey…
Monument Valley is the story of Ida. An imp-like creature traveling through the various domains of a mysterious world in search of pieces to the Sacred Geometry. Well at least that was how I interpreted it. Ida’s journey takes place between different Stages through doors of an ever rotating four-sided building (hard to imagine, and that’s exactly the point.). Each Stage is akin to the forest of doors in The Nightmare Before Christmas, one as different as could be from its neighbor. In each stage, Ida is greeted with different challenges that bend the users brain forcing them think outside the box, sometimes literally.
Along the way Ida is guided by mysterious ghost-like spirits that warn her of the “ones that were” and their fall from grace. All of it very cryptic, which serves to build the narrative of the experience. Similar to Journey, Monument creates a certain feeling of solitude that is suddenly cut by the appearance of helpers or allies. Chapter VI pairs you with “The Totem, A Friend”. While you only interact with Totem for a matter of minutes, I felt myself sincerely sad at our parting. Monument does a wonderful job of engendering loyalty and investment in your character only builds a richer story to experience. Much of this stems from the aforementioned cryptic nature of the game. Like being stuck in a dangerous situation with strangers, you empathize with one another’s plight and are infinitely more likely to respond in a positive nature to your comrades who want to help in serve in your plight.
In a similar vein, feeling for Ida becomes remarkably natural after a short time. Most effective of these techniques is the manner in which the narrative is constructed. Each new Stage greets you with a few bits of simple information that are intriguingly vague.
What is so wonderful about these opening remarks is that it transmits a sense of folklore to the chapters, as if an elder had told me the legend of ‘Ida in the Hidden Temple’ and I was finally getting to experience this wondrous tale first hand. This style of storytelling has become a lost art in most visual mediums. We are constantly being spoon-fed the answers of the narrative and driven down the road to a certain conclusion. In Monument it feels as though you, the user, are experiencing the tale for yourself and interpreting it in a way that only you could.
Ida’s journey is unique, special, and ultimately your own.
Environment
Impeccable art style…
Nothing is more breathtaking about Monument than the art style. The attention to detail is spectacular. Whether it is a low poly ocean rising and falling with the tides or a grey-stone castle reaching high into the night sky, there are certainly no shortage of jaw-dropping landscapes to be had throughout the adventure.
Level by level the art changes drastically. One minute you’ll find Ida in a bright, vibrate environment with blooming flowers wisping away in the wind and lilies floating calming in the green sea below. Just when you’ve let your guard down and think all is well in the Valley do crow-laden traps and sinister environments threaten to bar your progress.
What really sets off Monument’s landscapes though are the sounds. They are absolutely phenomenal. I would imagine that USTWO or whatever creative minds crafted the music behind this game will be receiving well-deserved recognition for their work. Not a minute of the game passes when you are not accompanied by the intoxicating notes of the Valley. Every touch, motion, and gesture is accompanied by an ever-pleasing ring or chime. The more ominous the environment the more devious the sound. As the game progresses, so does the music. On the outset you are greeted with whimsical notes and light colors. Diving deeper into the Valley yields heavy notes and charcoal shades.
Gameplay
M.C. Escher’s world with a taste of Portal mechanics
As if Monument’s story and style weren't enough to provide a unique experience, the gameplay sure will. With an assortment of mind-bending challenges Ida’s journey gets progressively more unyielding as she ventures through the Valley. The fun part about the game is that it includes three different game mechanics that make the puzzles so interesting.
- Moving map pieces
- Lack of gravity
- Changing perspectives
The last one is the real doozy. Many maps present some blend of the three whether it be moving Ida to the vertical plane of a wall and having her scale a tower or rotating the map at a different angle making two floating bridge segments magically intersect.
This poses both a fun yet frustrating challenge. Maps test problem solving, spacial understanding, and planning skills simultaneously. A truly unique set of experiences for a game.
The interface is completely minimal. Only one button exists for user interaction. The rest of Ida’s interactions are dictated through touch and pull gestures on the map. A striking amount of functionality has been built in with so few action points on the interface. All-in-all the mechanics are smooth and react as you’d expect them to.
For only 1.5 hours of gameplay, Monument Valley packs a moving story.
What a pleasure it was to experience this game. I highly recommend you follow suit and do the same. Money well spent.
As time passes, I look forward to hearing gamers’ interpretations of the story and meaning behind this short epic. My gut tells me this will have a lasting impact on the design principles of mobile gaming.
Monument Valley is available on the App Store for $3.99.
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