Monument Valley Walkthrough Guide, Tips & Cheats

Monument Valley is an impeccable puzzle game that was developed and released by indie gaming studio Ustwo.

You play as the mysterious protagonist Princess Ida as she makes her way through various Escher-esque geometrical mazes and impossible structures which are referred to as monuments in the game. All through the game an ominous blue ghost like figure proposes that she is on a journey for forgiveness – what she seeks forgiveness for is initially unclear and remains that way for most of the game.

The game was developed over a period of ten months starting in 2013. The style of the game was inspired by many different influences such as indie games Fez, Windowsill and Sword and Sworcery. Influence was also taken from minimalist sculpture and Japanese prints. The game was designed with such precision that each monument would have been worthy of display in the public forum. Critics compared the game to the works of M.C Escher and the puzzle game Echochrome.

Monument Valley presents multiple monuments that may be viewed isometrically which only contributes more to the idea of changing perception and coming up with something entirely new. You interact with the moveable environment to create your own path through the maze like structure whilst leading Princess Ida to either a door to another area or a mysterious shape pad where she will restore the monument and move on to the next chapter.

Each level has a different structure and a different method of getting through to the goal point. You can interact with a variety of moveable objects which will contribute towards your successfully making it through to the goal; there are sliding platforms, twistable faucets which move various pieces of the monument and finally there is also a yellow totem like creature who helps you get to the higher places which would have been otherwise inaccessible.

The beta testing phase of the game was incredibly successful, it received over one thousand testers for the game and the average finish time amongst these players was ninety minutes. Within the first two weeks of their official release on April 3, 2014, Ustwo made back all of the money it had taken them to create the game in the first place. Due to the success of the game, the developers decided to create an Android port, where saw equally as much success as the Android version.

Monument Valley is currently running version 2.2.2 and requires your device to be running at least iOS version 6.0 or later. It is currently only playable in English, whilst there inst much text within the game, if you want to understand the story of the game a little better, non-speakers of English are out of luck, but there is always Google Translate! The game costs $3.99 on the app store with the option to purchase further in app content. The game currently holds a four and a half star rating and has very favorable reviews from the majority of reviewers.

If the initial ten chapters aren’t enough for you, an extra expansion is also available as an in app purchase which contains an extra eight levels. The expansion is entitled Forgotten Shores and costs $1.99. Whether further levels are to be added to the game is still unclear. However, if you were one of the lucky few who bought the game during the app stores red week, you’ll have more levels than the rest of us.

Monument Valley Walkthrough Guide:

If you do find yourself stuck at any point, I have made a walkthrough video for all of the original ten levels which you can check out here.

Chapters 1 -4 Walkthrough Guide

Monument Valley Tips & Cheats

I have very few tips for playing the game as the idea behind it is such a simple one. First of all, if you find yourself stuck, don’t be afraid to explore what the area can do, move around all of the various moveable attribute the area has to offer. If it’s an area that can be turned around at a three hundred and sixty degree angle, move it around as move as you like as this will gove you a general idea of what you need to do, what platforms you need to move, what angle you need to have the monument at to get to the next platform etc.

On levels with moving crows, timing is everything; otherwise you end up with a n irritating crow squawking in your face refusing to move until you get out of its designated pathway. In these areas, there will usually be little nooks where you can stand and wait until the crow has gotten out of your way. If you do get caught, you’ll end up having to back track, so plan your route carefully.

Monument Valley Review:

I’ve always been a big fan of puzzle games that call logic into question, so I absolutely loved playing this game.

When it comes to games, there are usually two different types; there are the games that focus on giving their users an experience and there are the games that focus on giving their users something interesting whilst challenging you to master the whole game. In other words, there are the laid back games that just encourage you to enjoy them and there are the games that encourage you to strive for perfection within the game. Then there is the rare third type of game where a good experience is created for the user whilst also creating a challenge. Monument Valley is one of those games. It delivers an incredible experience but also challenges you to use your head.

In Monument Valley, you play as the silent Princess Ida, who has to find her way through ten different levels which focus on a variety of different monuments. Though the monuments appear as though they are three dimensional, you cannot trust what logic tells you. This entire game is an impossibility where if you think too much about what exactly is going on, your mind ends up screaming at itself about exactly how impossible the game truly is.

None of the levels are extremely challenging and the game seems to be more focused on everything else it has to offer, the actual gameplay part of the whole thing is merely a bonus that gives you something to do while you explore the amazingly designed game.

When it comes to the art and sound of the game, there is quite a lot to enjoy as the game is really one of the most beautifully made games I’ve ever had the chance to play. Each area is original and never looks like any of the others; the entire look of one single area can change very quickly with just a small change in angle. Every screenshot you take creates the idea of a great piece of art which has been created especially for you to enjoy.

I love how so many different things have been incorporated into this game, for example the monument that is like a music box, the way it unfolds into multiple entirely different areas is incredible and shows a lot of thought on the developer’s part.

The story of the games comes undone gradually and slowly, even at the end you’re left with a feeling of confusion and wondering exactly what just happened. Parts of the story are deliver by the titles of each chapter and the small speech the ominous blue ghost gives throughout your journey. Whilst you’re never told exactly what happened, you’re able to piece most of the story together yourself to gain the general idea of what happened. However, each person’s perception may differ like the game itself.

My version of the story was that Princess Ida once ruled over the monuments and the colorful crow people, however, when the monuments began to lose themselves, Princess Ida deserted her kingdom and lost her true identity. Without their ruler, many of the crow people turned cold and dark, many of them even lost their lives. After much time passed and the monuments had turned to ruin, Princess Ida finally returned to face what she had done. Seeing what her people had become, she began to travel through each of her precious monuments in order to restore them to their former glory. Along her journey she encounters a ghost from the past who chastises her for her actions and urged her to undo what she had done. After some time, Princess Ida finally restored all of the monuments and her people were able to return to their former glory. Seeing her people accept their true selves, she regained her own identity.

The game itself is actually quite a short one. If you’re one of those people who are complaining about the fact that it only took you an hour and a half to complete even though it cost you $3.99 to buy. Stop it. Right now. The game is more than worth its price tag, it is definitely one of those games that you can play though until you know exactly what you need to turn, move and arrange off by heart. The game took me less than fifty minutes excluding loading times to play though and I have still already played the game a total of three times since I got it. That’s more than worth my $3.99. The game tells you an interest yet mysterious story whilst giving impeccable sounds and sights, I’m surprised that Ustwo didn’t charge more for this amazing game.

I enjoyed it so much that I don’t even have anything negative to say.

Remember, if you enjoyed the game and want more, there are an additional eight levels available for $1.99.

Ratings:

Artwork: I give Monument Valley a 10/10 for its artwork. The artwork of this game is so beautifully done that even when you find yourself irritated or frustrated with certain points of the game, your feelings of annoyance do not last long because of the calming influence all of the artwork in this game provides you with. Each area of the game differs from the one that came before it, even within each area, the whole aesthetic can change with just a slightest angle change. Even the screenshots you are able to take with the game feel like precious art.

Music and SFX: I give the game a 10/10 for its music and SFX. Whilst there really isn’t much music in the whole game, the music that it does offer is impeccably well placed and really adds the perfect touch to the game. The game mostly relies on its amazing sound effects to create a better sense of the environment you are it, such as on chapter nine – The Decent; the sound of water is perfect in the situation This game is definitely worth breaking the earphones out just to listen to.

Story and Originality: I give the game a 10/10 for its story and originality. This game is definitely one of a kind, whilst it takes inspiration from numerous other similar games; it creates its own sense of self. The story of the game is confusing and unravels fairly slowly, this only makes you want to continue playing it more and more.

General Gameplay: I give the game a 10/10 for its general gameplay. The gameplay is not complex at all and I rarely found myself getting confused or stuck. the gameplay itself is more seen as a bonus alongside the games other great attributes.

Addictiveness: I give the game a 10/10 for addictiveness, this is a game that was so well created I played it from start to finish and began replaying all over again, the very next day. Its replay value is very high because of everything it has to offer. I easily got addicted to this game because of how much I enjoyed everything it contain, the story was mysterious which made me want to unravel the mystery, the sound effect really made each area come to life and the artwork was just beautiful to look at.

Overall, I rate Monument Valley 10/10. A score it well deserves.