In Monument Valley III, players assume the role of Noor, an apprentice lighthouse keeper whose home is threatened by rising water levels. By traveling between islands and monuments, she embarks on a quest for the Sacred Light to save her world. The narrative is understated, beautiful, and conveyed almost entirely through environments and puzzles rather than dialogue, fostering a meditative and deeply engaging experience.
First Time on Console
Monument Valley III is the long-awaited third installment in Ustwo Games‘ iconic puzzle series, now available on console for the first time. As a long-time admirer of the previous installments on mobile and iPad, the series holds significant appeal. Upon the release of the third installment, the opportunity to experience it on console was particularly enticing, with the Nintendo Switch 2 presenting itself as an ideal platform for this transition. It should be noted that a dedicated Switch 2 version is not yet available; the game was developed for the original console. Nevertheless, performance on the Switch 2 is seamless, demonstrating excellent scaling in both handheld and docked configurations.
Controls and Gameplay Feel
Playing Monument Valley III with a controller initially felt somewhat distinct, given the accustomed interaction of tapping, spinning, and clicking directly on mobile or tablet screens. However, the developers have clearly optimized the control scheme: precision in input is mitigated by an intelligent auto-selection mechanism. Object manipulation, including spinning and rotation, is equally fluid and expertly executed.
Limitations in Handheld Mode
A notable omission is the lack of touchscreen support in handheld mode. This necessitates continued controller use, an unexpected design choice. Many titles intelligently adapt to the transition between docked and handheld play, often incorporating features like optimized text scaling or touchscreen functionality; however, Monument Valley III does not follow this trend.
Short Lifespan and Low Replayability
Consistent with its predecessors, the third installment shares a common characteristic: once a level is solved, the inherent puzzles offer little incentive for re-engagement, impacting replayability. Furthermore, the initial levels in Monument Valley III are notably straightforward and brief; some can be completed in under five minutes, which is a drawback.
Atmosphere and Soundscape
Despite these points, the game’s undeniable strengths lie in its delightful musical score, captivating atmosphere, and the genuinely enjoyable nature of its levels, even if brief. The ability to experience the game on a television screen, facilitating deeper immersion into its unique world, was particularly gratifying.
In summary, Monument Valley III stands as a commendable sequel, though it maintains the characteristic brevity observed in its predecessors. The introduction of a console version is a welcome development, broadening accessibility for players who prefer dedicated gaming platforms over mobile devices. Consequently, the recommendation extends not only to this third installment but also to the first and second parts, all of which are now available across various console and PC platforms.
Ustwo Games provided a review code for this test. The sender of material has no editorial influence on our reviews.
