Overview

Monument Valley 3 is the third mainline entry in the series from ustwo games, released seven years after the previous installment. Launching exclusively on Apple Arcade on December 10, 2024, it brings a new story, characters, and even more spectacular visual experiences.

As a 10th anniversary tribute, Monument Valley 3 maintains the series' iconic visual style while introducing a grander world and deeper thematic exploration, drawing players into a story about community, hope, and rebuilding.

Story

The story takes place in a world submerged by rising seas. Once-thriving civilizations have been swallowed by the waters, leaving only scattered towers and mysterious structures standing above the surface.

Players take on the role of Noor, a young seafarer. She pilots a small boat through these vast waters, exploring abandoned monuments, searching for scattered kin, and trying to find a new home for her community.

Unlike the previous two entries that focused on personal journeys, Monument Valley 3 expands its perspective to the community level, exploring human connections, loss and rebuilding, and human resilience in the face of great change.

Core Gameplay

Monument Valley 3 retains the series' classic gameplay while adding several new elements:

• Seafaring Exploration: Pilot your boat freely across open waters, discovering hidden islands and monuments
• Classic Puzzles: Continues the Escher-style impossible geometry visual deception
• Architectural Interaction: Rotate, slide, and reconfigure structures to create paths
• Light Mechanics: Use lighting changes to solve specific puzzles
• Community Building: Rescued people will establish a new home somewhere, and players can watch the community gradually grow
• Collectibles: Discover various decorations and story fragments during exploration

Visual Design

Monument Valley 3's visual design reaches new heights for the series:

• Water Rendering: Extensive use of water elements, with outstanding light and shadow effects on the sea surface
• Environmental Diversity: From sunken cities to towering lighthouses, from coral reefs to cloud palaces
• Color Aesthetics: Continues the series' soft color style with added ocean tones
• Dynamic Elements: Richer environmental animations, such as fluttering flags and swimming fish
• visionOS Support: Optimized for Apple Vision Pro, providing an immersive spatial experience

Game Content

Monument Valley 3 offers the richest content in the series:

• Main Chapters: Over 18 carefully designed levels
• Hidden Areas: Secret locations discoverable through exploration
• Story Fragments: Text records scattered throughout, revealing the world's history
• Unlockable Content: Boat skins, decorations, and other collectible elements

Themes & Meaning

Monument Valley 3 explores several profound themes:

• Climate Change: The flooded world serves as a metaphor for real-world environmental crisis
• Community & Belonging: The importance of rebuilding community after losing home
• Hope & Resilience: Even in the face of great disaster, humanity can find a way forward
• Legacy & Memory: Understanding and remembering past civilizations through exploring ruins

Apple Arcade Exclusive

Monument Valley 3 launches as an Apple Arcade exclusive, which means:

• Requires an Apple Arcade subscription to play
• Complete game experience with no in-app purchases or ads
• Supports iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro
• Supports Family Sharing, allowing up to 6 family members to play simultaneously

There has been no announcement yet about releases on other platforms (such as Android or PC).

Connections to Previous Games

While Monument Valley 3 tells an entirely new story, it has some subtle connections to the previous two games:

• Some architectural design elements echo previous entries
• Certain puzzle mechanics pay homage to classic levels
• Hidden easter eggs in the game suggest all three works may take place in the same universe

Development Background

Monument Valley 3's development spanned several years. The ustwo games team stated in interviews that they hoped this entry would "bring a truly fresh experience while maintaining the series' essence." The team size expanded compared to previous entries to handle the larger project scope and higher technical demands.

The choice to launch on Apple Arcade also reflects ustwo games' commitment to an "uninterrupted gaming experience"—no ads, no in-app purchases, just pure game artistry.