Monument Valley 3 Review (Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S & PC)

Fans of the Monument Valley series have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see how the magic would translate to consoles. After all, this is a series known for its beautiful, touch-based puzzle design, so when Monument Valley 3 finally landed on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox, there was a real buzz. Could it hold up without a touchscreen? Would the charm still shine through on a bigger screen?

The good news? Visually, it’s as stunning as ever. This is still one of the most striking puzzle games out there. But once you dig deeper, it’s clear that some of what made the series special didn’t make it to the console. It’s a great puzzle game, but it’s not the seamless console transition many were hoping for. Let’s break it down in this review and find where it shines, where it stumbles, and whether it’s worth your time on console.

A Glimpse into the World of Noor

In Monument Valley 3, players follow Noor, a young apprentice on a mission to restore a lighthouse after rising waters submerge her home. The story is simple; instead of relying on extensive dialogue, the game conveys its narrative through the environment. Players uncover details about the world and Noor’s journey by solving intricate puzzles. Just like Monument Valley 2, the game maintains a minimalist approach, allowing you to piece the story together as you progress. There are no big plot twists or lengthy cutscenes, just a calm journey where every puzzle brings players closer to understanding No’s quest. 

That said, the story here feels more abstract than its predecessor. It’s not as emotionally powerful. Some players might find it moving, while others may feel like it’s missing that emotional punch. The storytelling works for those who like things a bit more low-key, but it might leave others wishing for more depth. Nevertheless, Noor’s journey is worth following, and the beautifully designed world around her makes the experience even more captivating.

Same Puzzle DNA

If you’ve played the first two Monument Valley games, you’ll know the formula: shift the world, rotate pieces of architecture, create impossible paths, and guide your character to the next door. That’s still the main thing in Monument Valley 3. You’re solving 3D puzzles by messing with perspective, something the series has always done with style.

This time, there’s a new addition: a boat. The boat helps Noor to move between islands and puzzle areas. Of course, it’s not the kind of exploration you would expect, but it gives the game a slight sense of openness. A few puzzles even build off the boat’s movement, and those are some of the better moments.

On the contrary, the puzzles don’t hit home for puzzle enthusiasts. This is because they lack the depth that most players like from puzzle games. Most of them are solved in a couple of minutes, and very few make you pause and think. There’s usually one clear solution, and once you spot it, it’s just a matter of clicking your way there. Even players new to puzzle games probably won’t struggle. Ultimately, it ends up feeling more like a guided tour than a true mental workout. That’s fine if you’re here for the vibes, but if you want brain teasers, Monument Valley 3 won’t deliver.

Point, Click, and Miss

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the controls. You’d think a game that started life as a mobile touch experience would feel natural on console. But, nope. There’s no touchscreen support at all on the Switch. Instead, you’re stuck using a snap-to cursor with the joystick, and it only highlights what the game says you can interact with.

It’s not unplayable, but it kills the fun of experimenting. On mobile, you could tap, drag, pinch, and just explore with your fingers. On Switch, you’re scanning the screen, waiting for something to light up. It turns puzzles into a checklist rather than a moment of discovery.

The cursor itself can be annoying. It’s not free-moving; it snaps to points and sometimes picks the wrong one. Notably, trying to get the controls to work is another puzzle in the game. It’s clunky, and it steals a bit of the magic. Now here’s the baffling part: the Switch does support touch. Plenty of games use it well. But Monument Valley 3 ignores it completely. The same goes for the Switch ports of Monument Valley 1 and 2. No touch, just the same stiff cursor system.

And while we’re at it, it’s not just the Switch version. The PlayStation and Xbox versions also use this point-and-click approach. That makes sense, given those consoles don’t have touchscreens, but it still makes the whole thing feel like a poor fit for what was once such a perfect, hands-on experience. Ultimately, these games were built around touch. That physical connection was part of what made them special. Without it, on any console, it all feels a bit lifeless. Something gets lost in translation, and it’s a shame.

Visual Creativity

Now, back to something positive. Monument Valley 3 is absolutely stunning. Visually, this game is in a league of its own. The color palettes shift with each chapter. The architecture feels like origami built in a dream. Everything moves perfectly, from platforms sliding into place to entire worlds unfolding before your eyes.

It’s one of the few games where you can just stop and stare. The layered depth, the use of silhouette, the transitions between scenes, it’s all handled with elegance. And on the Switch OLED screen in handheld mode, the colors absolutely pop. Docked, it still looks great, but handheld is where it really shines.

This game is not just pretty for pretty’s sake. The visuals help sell the mood. As the world changes, so does the emotional tone of the story. It’s one of the few parts of the game that keeps evolving and pushing you forward, even when the puzzles don’t. Is it enough to carry the whole experience? Maybe not. But it definitely makes Monument Valley 3 one of the most visually rewarding puzzle games you’ll find on the system.

Monumental Soundscape

The audio in Monument Valley 3 doesn’t demand attention, and that’s exactly why it works so well. Soft piano melodies drift in and out, ambient textures hum gently in the background, and every little interaction triggers a satisfying click or chime. It all breathes with the game, never overwhelming the experience, just quietly shaping it.

What really stands out is how responsive the sound design is. Slide a platform, and you’ll hear a gentle tone. Rotate a structure, and it answers back with a delicate note. It’s simple but deeply effective, grounding you in the world without ever feeling forced or bored.

There’s a calm, meditative rhythm to it all. The music isn’t there to pump you up. It’s there to keep you steady. Even when the story misses an emotional punch, the soundscape does a lot of heavy lifting. It feels like the game is whispering to you, guiding you through a soft, thoughtful dream.

The Price

Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. Monument Valley 3 costs $19.99 on Switch. And for that, you get about 2.5 to 3 hours of gameplay. No alternate solutions. No branching paths. Neither does the game offer side content. Just a short, linear journey. That wouldn’t be so bad if the puzzles had more replay value. Or if there were bonus challenges. Or even if the promised Garden of Life DLC had been included at launch. But it’s been delayed. So right now, you’re paying full price for what feels like only part of the package.

That said, there’s the elephant in the corner: the first two Monument Valley games are still on mobile for $3.99 each. Together, they’re cheaper than this one, and they arguably offer more satisfying gameplay. Monument Valley 3 was also previously included with Netflix mobile subscriptions before being pulled. It might return to phones later, likely at a lower price point. It’s somewhat hard to recommend the console version at this price unless you’re really into the series or don’t mind short games. If they had included touchscreen support or launched with the DLC, it would’ve been easier to swallow.

Verdict

Monument Valley 3 is a beautiful puzzle game. No question. It’s relaxing, stylish, and full of visual creativity. But beauty isn’t everything. Without challenging puzzles, tight controls, or emotional depth, it feels a little hollow. If you’re okay with a short, gentle journey through a world that looks like a dream and sounds like a whisper, you’ll probably enjoy it. Just know that it doesn’t reach the heights of the earlier games. And for now, the console version feels like the least satisfying way to experience it. Let’s hope the phone version returns soon, and that it brings touch support and a better price tag with it. Until then, this one’s best approached with cautious admiration, not sky-high expectations.