Monument Valley is a pleasant excursion in a world of pocket enigmas, that rely in equal parts on the paradoxical geometry of M.C. Escher and manipulation/discovery (think The Room). Its elaborate dioramas, realized in a subdued, pastel artstyle, are as deceptive to the eye as its perspective, a counterpoint to the tinge of sobriety and gravity that the barely-even-there soundtrack and merely-hinted-at story evoke.

The main campaign feels somewhat short, almost truncated, as I was expecting more of it, however the Panoramic Edition includes what originally were two expandalones, rounding out the runtime to what feels overall like a satisfactory length.

The complexity of the puzzles themselves is never overwhelming, and at times left me wishing the level designers had wrung out more from the promising concept: on the other hand, the extra content does explore new twists, some of which truly shine through.

As the story is never underlined and shouted, this may appeal more to a crowd that enjoys holding the game in their mind and piece things together little by little. For the kind of person who focuses on the puzzles and forgets to 'smell the roses', going straight back in for a second playthrough is an option to keep in mind.

A touch-native experience, Monument Valley is workable with a mouse but feels less natural than on a touchscreen.

Monument Valley is a pleasant excursion in a world of pocket enigmas, that rely in equal parts on the paradoxical geometry of M.C. Escher and manipulation/discovery (think The Room). Its elaborate dioramas, realized in a subdued, pastel artstyle, are as deceptive to the eye as its perspective, a counterpoint to the tinge of sobriety and gravity that the barely-even-there soundtrack and merely-hinted-at story evoke. The main campaign feels somewhat short, almost truncated, as I was expecting more of it, however the Panoramic Edition includes what originally were two expandalones, rounding out the runtime to what feels overall like a satisfactory length. The complexity of the puzzles themselves is never overwhelming, and at times left me wishing the level designers had wrung out more from the promising concept: on the other hand, the extra content does explore new twists, some of which truly shine through. As the story is never underlined and shouted, this may appeal more to a crowd that enjoys holding the game in their mind and piece things together little by little. For the kind of person who focuses on the puzzles and forgets to 'smell the roses', going straight back in for a second playthrough is an option to keep in mind. A touch-native experience, Monument Valley is workable with a mouse but feels less natural than on a touchscreen.