Title: Monument Valley
Cost: $3.99
Platform: iOS (with Android coming soon)
After hearing great reviews of Monument Valley, I decided to give it a try and I am so glad that I did! Players take control of a small, silent princess named Ida, helping her to navigate through a world filled with beautiful but surreal architecture. To succeed, you must solve puzzles and redesign Ida’s world to help her along on her journey. The pastel artwork appears simple at first glance but is deceptively complex, a fact that becomes very clear as you try to find the correct configuration to allow Ida to reach her destination. As you manipulate the architecture of each level, the music changes as well, making a very cohesive and immersive experience.
The game’s world immediately put me in mind of M.C. Escher’s drawings, which is part of what drew me in, but the engaging gameplay is what kept me playing. The puzzles in each level build on one another growing more complex and adding new elements as you move through the game. If you enjoy puzzlers or simply appreciate beautifully designed games, Monument Valley will not disappoint! Check out the trailer for the game below.
For more app recommendations visit the YALSA App of the Week Archive. If you have an app you think we should review, let us know!