Monument Valley

First Impression

I first heard about Monument Valley from my neighbor, Frank, who’s about my age and usually only plays solitaire on his iPad. He said it was “pretty” and “confusing” in the same sentence, which I took as a challenge. I’ve had my Samsung Galaxy S23 for a few months now, mostly for calling the kids and checking the weather, but I figured I’d give it a shot on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. The first thing that hit me was the colors. They’re not loud or flashy—they’re soft and warm, like a sunset you wish would last longer. I spent the first ten minutes just tapping on everything, watching the little princess walk through these impossible buildings. It made me feel like a kid again, exploring a picture book that actually worked.

What It Does Well

The puzzles are clever without being mean. That’s a big deal for me because I don’t have the patience for games that make you feel dumb. Here, you’re mostly moving platforms and turning things so the path appears. It’s like one of those optical illusion drawings you’d see in a museum, but you can actually step inside and fix it. I love the silence of it too. There’s a gentle soundtrack—almost like wind chimes and a soft piano—but no talking, no timers, no “you lost” screens. You just keep going at your own pace. Last week I sat on my porch with my phone and a cup of tea, and I finished two levels without even realizing an hour had gone by. For a retiree who gets tired of noise and flashing buttons, that feeling is worth a lot.

Where It Falls Short

I’ll be honest—the game is short. Really short. I finished the main story in three lazy afternoons, and I wasn’t even trying to speed through it. For a paid app, that felt a little disappointing. There’s an extra chapter called “Forgotten Shores” that you can buy inside the app, and I did buy it because I wasn’t ready to leave, but I wish it had all been included from the start. Also, some of the later puzzles got a bit too tricky for me. I had to ask my grandson to help with one level, and he figured it out in two seconds. That stung a little. For a game that’s so calm and relaxing, a few moments made me feel stuck and frustrated, which kind of broke the spell.

Is It Worth the Price?

This is where I wrestle with it. The game costs money upfront, and then there’s that extra paid chapter. I don’t like spending on apps because I always worry I’ll regret it. But I have to admit: for what this game is—a beautiful, peaceful puzzle experience that doesn’t scream at you or beg for your attention—the price felt fair after I played it. It’s like buying a good book or a nice box of chocolates. You finish it, you wish it was longer, but you don’t feel cheated. If you’re the type who needs a game that lasts for months, this isn’t it. But if you want something that feels like art and gives you a few wonderful hours, it’s worth the cost.

Developer & Support

I had a little hiccup where the game froze on a level—the princess wouldn’t walk to the door, and I was stuck. I sent an email to the support team on a Thursday night, not expecting much. It took them a few days to get back to me—I think I heard back on Monday morning—but when they did, the person was very kind. They gave me a step-by-step fix that worked immediately, and they even apologized for the wait. I appreciated that. They didn’t treat me like I was stupid for not knowing how to restart the level. It’s rare to get that kind of personal touch from a big game company, so that left a good taste in my mouth.

Privacy & Safety

I’m cautious about what I put on my phone. The game didn’t ask me to create an account or give my email or anything like that, which I really liked. No ads popping up either, which is a blessing. As far as I can tell, it doesn’t track where you are or snoop through your photos. It just sits there and lets you play. For an old guy like me who doesn’t trust the internet much, that peace of mind is a big deal. The only thing I’d warn about is the in-app purchase for the extra levels—it’s a simple buy button and you use your normal Google Play payment, but I made sure to put in my password so my grandkids couldn’t accidentally buy something.