Skip to main content

Moncage

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.
Moncage Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, monetization
88% User Score Based on 637 reviews
Critic Score 68%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCTabletAndroidPhoneiPadMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
Moncage Game Cover

About

Moncage is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Optillusion and was released on November 15, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Moncage is a puzzling adventure inside a mysterious cube, where each of its sides holds a unique world that subtly connects with the others. Solve mind-boggling optical illusion puzzles, and collect photos to unveil the story as you uncover the hidden connections between worlds. Thoughtful hints are available to help you when you get stuck."

Skip User Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 637 reviews
story101 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions

  • The game features a unique and innovative puzzle mechanic that involves manipulating a cube to connect different scenes, providing a fresh gameplay experience.
  • The art style is visually stunning, complemented by a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The storytelling is subtle yet impactful, conveyed through beautiful visuals and collectible photographs that reveal a deeper narrative.
  • Some puzzles can be frustratingly obtuse, requiring precise alignment that may lead to confusion and reliance on the hint system.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in under three hours, which may not justify the price for some.
  • There is a lack of clear direction or goals at times, making it difficult for players to understand what they need to do next.
  • story
    272 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is primarily conveyed through visual storytelling, utilizing photographs and dioramas to create an emotional narrative that explores themes such as trauma and family relationships. While some players found the story poignant and beautifully integrated with the gameplay, others criticized it for being vague or muddled, often feeling disconnected from the puzzles. Overall, the unique approach to storytelling, despite its occasional ambiguity, has resonated with many players, making it a notable aspect of the game.

    • “A surprisingly heartfelt story, delivered in a way only a video game could.”
    • “The story is touching though I don't get all of it.”
    • “The story is told completely through the different scenes that unfold on each of the cube's faces and little collectible photos - to put it simply, it tells the story of a family and what war will do to people and the land.”
    • “It tries to tell a story but it feels all so pointless.”
    • “The story is very understated, and there's not much reward for solving a puzzle.”
    • “The story in Moncage is nothing to write home about, but is quickly obscured by cleverly designed puzzles.”
  • gameplay
    117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by its innovative mechanics, particularly the unique cube rotation system that allows players to solve puzzles by linking elements from different scenes. While many players appreciate the creative design and engaging narrative, some express frustration with certain puzzle designs and the introduction of new mechanics that can feel arbitrary or confusing. Overall, the game offers a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience, though its short length and occasional tediousness may detract from the enjoyment for some players.

    • “Moncage's combination of innovative gameplay mechanics, gorgeous visuals, and powerful storytelling makes it a must-play for fans of puzzle games and narrative-driven adventures.”
    • “The gameplay does a good job of introducing new mechanics and ideas as you progress, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The mechanic of solving puzzles with the use of perspective to merge two different places and affect the objects that are in them is really fun.”
    • “I do think for some people its gameplay is boring.”
    • “However, I found it to be mostly tedious and had to rely heavily on the focus/highlight mechanic, as the pieces that connect are not visually obvious.”
    • “I believe this game would feel much better if it was designed as a longer story-focused puzzler where individual mechanics are introduced more gradually and established completely before demanding the use.”
  • graphics
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, immersive visuals, and effective use of color, which enhance the overall storytelling and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the unique perspective-based mechanics and the beautiful, minimalist design that creates a captivating atmosphere. While some mention that the visuals can appear flat in certain contexts, the overall consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The game has beautiful graphics and very creative mechanics.”
    • “The graphics are beautifully designed, with each level having its own color scheme and style.”
    • “The delightful art style and clever use of color, engaging narrative, compelling puzzles, and original mechanics all work together in tandem to create a beautiful gaming experience that will get players thinking in more ways than one.”
    • “The graphics are quite ok.”
    • “Irritatingly random puzzle solutions combined with twee art style and themes.”
    • “If you are here just for the visuals, the hint feature is there to make the journey more bearable.”
  • music
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its soothing and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with emotional depth and a calming atmosphere. Many reviewers noted the high quality of the soundtrack, often highlighting its ability to complement the game's visuals and story effectively. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, relaxing, and integral to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature for players.

    • “Phenomenal little puzzle game - incredibly satisfying puzzles, variety, beautiful art and music.”
    • “The intricate puzzles are brilliantly designed, and the outstanding soundtrack adds depth to the immersive experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “It has a delightfully fresh mechanic, a poignant story, soothing music... and yet, it still managed to make me irritated to no end.”
    • “Although kinda short, it is made up by its atmosphere, art style, and music.”
    • “In the era of mind boggling graphics, loud music and infinitely expandable stories/DLC, moncage is the game that let you settle down and just play a game for pure enjoyment, just like when you were a kid.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, which unfolds through clever puzzles and stunning visuals, often evoking strong feelings without the use of dialogue. Players find the story touching and heartwarming, exploring themes of family, loss, and memory, with many noting that it left a lasting emotional impact, sometimes even bringing them to tears. The combination of high-quality music and immersive design enhances the overall emotional experience, making it a standout aspect of the game.

    • “A surprisingly heartfelt story, delivered in a way only a video game could.”
    • “The story is emotional without a single word.”
    • “Beautiful game, clever puzzles, as a heartbreaking story unfolds.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the precision required for puzzle piece alignment and the lack of chapter select options. Many reviewers express a desire to enjoy the game but feel overwhelmed by the repetitive nature of certain sequences and the challenge of locating specific connections, leading to a sense of burnout. Overall, while the concept is appreciated, the execution often results in a laborious experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Tedious, I really wish to like this but it's really frustrating (yes, I have used this word multiple times) that I just feel like giving up despite it being interesting.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning art style, calming music, and deeper thematic elements, creating a mesmerizing and haunting experience. Players appreciate the unique blend of atmosphere and puzzle mechanics, which contribute to impactful moments, despite some criticism regarding puzzle execution and difficulty. Overall, the combination of intimate visuals, sound design, and a relaxing ambiance enhances the game's appeal, making it a memorable journey.

    • “Want to love this game, because it is so beautiful, atmospheric, and has a unique puzzle concept.”
    • “Although kind of short, it is made up by its atmosphere, art style, and music.”
    • “The intimate art and atmosphere mixed with its steady pacing can result in some real impactful moments.”
    • “The game's stunning art style complements its storytelling, enhancing the dream-like atmosphere that is both mesmerizing and haunting.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted and whimsical tone, with players finding the funny cube to evoke a range of positive emotions.

    • “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious and keeps me laughing throughout!”
    • “I love how the witty dialogue and funny situations make every moment enjoyable.”
    • “The quirky characters and their comedic interactions add so much charm to the gameplay.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy in *moncage* includes timed hints that resemble mobile game ad mechanics, which some players find frustrating. The game's advertising and puzzle design suggest a focus on encouraging players to engage with its monetization elements.

    • “Hints are intentionally spaced out with arbitrary timers akin to timers for mobile game ads.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to progress at a reasonable pace.”
    • “The game bombards you with offers and in-game purchases, making it hard to enjoy the experience without feeling pressured to spend.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacking due to its linear story and the need to wipe progress for new runs, others appreciate the potential for replay through collectibles and achievements, as well as the enjoyable shareability aspect when playing 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.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report significant stability issues, particularly with buggy achievements that do not function as intended, such as the 'veteran' achievement requiring excessive playtime. Additionally, the game's short length and lack of replay value due to the need to reset progress further detract from its overall stability.

    • “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.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Moncage

5h Median play time
5h Average play time
3-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Moncage

Games Like Moncage

The Room Image
Gorogoa Image
The Eyes of Ara Image
The House of Da Vinci Image
Call of the Sea Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Moncage is a casual simulation game.

Moncage is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Moncage.

Moncage was released on November 15, 2021.

Moncage was developed by Optillusion.

Moncage has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Moncage is a single player game.

Similar games include The Room, Gorogoa, The Eyes of Ara, The House of Da Vinci, Call of the Sea and others.