Moncage

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 504 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Moncage Game Cover
Moncage is a puzzle game that should be treated like a collection of short stories rather than a novel. Enjoy it over several sessions, pausing when it’s difficult to think about the different parts, rather than consume it as one experience. It’s quite literally to be puzzled over.
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"Moncage" is a single-player simulation game featuring an intriguing story and compelling gameplay. Players explore a mysterious cube with unique worlds on each side, solving puzzles using optical illusions and collecting photos to unveil the story. With splendid visuals, a phenomenal soundtrack, and some grinding, the game offers a wholesome, immersive experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 504 reviews
story75 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • The puzzle solving is incredibly creative, utilizing perspective and color in a mind-blowing way.
  • The game features a touching story that is conveyed visually, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The hint system is generous and well-designed, allowing players to progress without feeling stuck.
  • Some puzzles can feel frustratingly obtuse, leading to moments of confusion and reliance on hints.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it doesn't justify its price.
  • There are instances where the solutions feel arbitrary, detracting from the satisfaction of solving puzzles.
  • story202 mentions

    The game's story is often described as touching and beautifully conveyed through visual storytelling, with many players appreciating its emotional depth despite its subtlety and occasional vagueness. While some found the narrative to be fragmented or overshadowed by the puzzles, others praised the innovative approach of using imagery and collectibles to piece together a coherent tale about family and the impact of war. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a unique and integral part of the gameplay experience, enhancing the puzzles rather than detracting from them.

    • “The story is simple and told via visual clues and photos; despite its simplicity, it's beautifully told and the melancholic tone that permeates throughout each tableau feels like it's genuine rather than forced.”
    • “A unique puzzle game with a lovely touching story that can be told without words.”
    • “An awesome story revealed slowly and gently through mind-boggling puzzles.”
    • “But the story you are given in [i]moncage[/i] is less satisfying, less thematic, and not as tightly constructed as [i]gorogoa[/i].”
    • “It's also way too short and the story, if there is one, is so hidden in the various sceneries that it's just forgotten about and brushed aside.”
    • “Frustrating, non-existent story other than random pictures and random scenes changing at weird times, and the puzzles are not simple to understand what to look for.”
  • gameplay95 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a unique and innovative puzzle mechanic that involves rotating a cube to connect elements from different scenes, creating a visually engaging experience. While many players appreciate the creativity and challenge of the puzzles, some find the mechanics can become tedious and the solutions occasionally vague, leading to confusion. Overall, the game offers a blend of enjoyable gameplay and artistic presentation, though its short length and occasional design flaws may detract from the experience for some.

    • “The mechanic of the game is simple to understand but can get highly complex, the hallmark of a good puzzle game.”
    • “The gameplay does a good job of introducing new mechanics and ideas as you progress, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “Moncage is a fantastic puzzle game with innovative cube model mechanics that kept me engaged throughout my playtime.”
    • “Really speechless, although the gameplay adds points, but after playing I am in a state of confusion. Sometimes after this level, I don't know why I am doing this. The decryption idea is too vague and hard; the whole process is hard to guess how to decrypt. Like the same type of game, I really recommend 'The World in the Picture', don't waste time here, copy the gameplay, but obviously the production team does not understand decryption.”
    • “My issue with this game is that since the puzzles are all based around the cube, the only continuous thread gameplay-wise is the cube itself.”
    • “I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and the creative puzzles very much, but there was just one moment where a new mechanic was introduced that I found too unintuitive and obtuse (it involves a bridge and a railcart).”
  • graphics55 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning and beautifully designed visuals, featuring a unique art style that enhances the immersive experience. Players appreciate the clean, minimalist aesthetics and the effective use of color schemes across different levels, which complement the engaging puzzles and emotional storytelling. Overall, the visuals are described as both charming and atmospheric, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The visually stunning graphics and unique concept make it a truly immersive experience.”
    • “The graphics are beautifully designed, with each level having its own color scheme and style.”
    • “The simple yet gorgeous visuals coupled with the incredible soundtrack made me feel existential in the best way possible.”
    • “Irritatingly random puzzle solutions combined with a twee art style and themes.”
    • “If you are here just for the visuals, the hint feature is there to make the journey more bearable.”
    • “In the era of mind-boggling graphics, loud music, and infinitely expandable stories/DLC, moncage is the game that lets you settle down and just play a game for pure enjoyment, just like when you were a kid.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Composed by berlinist, the soundtrack is described as relaxing, mysterious, and perfectly complementing the game's visuals and narrative. Players appreciate how the music contributes to a zen-like atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the gameplay.

    • “The music and sound effects are also well done, creating an immersive experience that draws you into the game.”
    • “The music is beautiful (as is to be expected) and was composed by berlinist, who also made the music for Gris, so that's saying something.”
    • “The intricate puzzles are brilliantly designed, and the outstanding soundtrack adds depth to the immersive experience.”
    • “The music and story are just sublime.”
    • “The music score is tremendous.”
    • “Music is mysterious and moving.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt and touching narrative, which unfolds beautifully through clever puzzles and stunning visuals, often without the use of dialogue. Players report feeling a deep emotional connection to the story, which explores themes of growth and existential reflection, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings and create a memorable experience through its artistic design and storytelling.

    • “Beautiful game, clever puzzles, as a heartbreaking story unfolds.”
    • “Even though there is no dialogue, it feels so emotional in a way that is inexplicable through words; it must be felt.”
    • “The amazing art style, creative puzzles, and mechanics have a heartwarming story about growing up, and it is beautiful.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly due to the repetitive nature of puzzles and the lack of chapter select, which forces them to replay large sections for collectibles or achievements. Many reviewers noted that the gameplay often devolves into monotonous tasks, such as rotating cubes to find connections, detracting from the initial enjoyment of the concept.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Only downside is that there's no chapter select, and after missing a specific secret after 4 playthroughs and having to repeat literally everything again got pretty tedious.”
    • “However, certain sections require the repetition of sequences, which can get quite tedious, especially when replaying the game for collectibles or achievements.”
    • “After a few puzzles, finding the proper connections felt more tedious than fun: there's not much more to the gameplay than rotating the cube over and over to find matching patterns.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beauty, calming sounds, and intimate art style, which together create impactful moments and a relaxing experience. Players appreciate the unique puzzle mechanics that complement the atmospheric soundtrack, although some find certain mechanics unintuitive. Overall, the game's atmosphere significantly enhances its appeal, despite its shorter length and lower challenge level.

    • “Want to love this game because it is so beautiful, atmospheric, and has a unique puzzle concept.”
    • “An atmospheric deeper meaning puzzle game with a wonderful concept of connection concerning a cube.”
    • “The intimate art and atmosphere mixed with its steady pacing can result in some real impactful moments; if you want a game that gives the big chills, this game will give the big chills.”
    • “The intimate art and atmosphere mixed with its steady pacing can result in some truly impactful moments.”
    • “Although it's kind of short, it is made up for by its atmosphere, art style, and music.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacking due to its linear story and the need to reset progress for new runs, others appreciate the potential for replay through collectibles and achievements, as well as the enjoyable experience of sharing the game with friends.

    • “A lot of replayability through the collectibles and achievements as well.”
    • “The game is quite short for the price, buggy or not, with no replay value since the only way to do new runs is to wipe all progress.”
    • “I don't know about its replayability since it's a very linear and singular story, but its shareability seems really good; you can invite a friend to explore this weird thing with you and have a ton of fun.”
    • “There is a lot of replayability through the collectibles and achievements as well.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, particularly with buggy achievements that do not function as intended, leading to frustration. Additionally, the game's short length and lack of replay value further detract from the overall experience, as players must reset their progress to attempt new runs.

    • “The achievements were also super buggy, where I had to beat the game four times in under 30 minutes each to get the 'Veteran' achievement, which only requires a time under 45 minutes.”
    • “The game is also quite short for the price, buggy or not, with no replay value as the only way to do new runs of the game is to wipe all progress.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy involves deliberately delaying hints with arbitrary timers, reminiscent of ad timers commonly found in mobile games, which may frustrate players seeking immediate assistance.

    • “Hints are intentionally spaced out with arbitrary timers, similar to the timers used for mobile game ads.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending money.”
    • “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which detracts from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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