Monument Valley 2
- May 30, 2017
- Ustwo Games
- 2h median play time
"Monument Valley 2+ is an Apple Arcade exclusive, featuring a single-player fantasy adventure with an interesting plot and stunning gameplay. As a mother-daughter duo, Ro and her child explore magical architecture, solve puzzles, and learn about Sacred Geometry in this sequel to the 2014 Apple Game of the Year. With ingenious graphics, amazing music, and an exceptional atmosphere, the game delivers a highly emotional experience."
Reviews
- Stunning graphics and beautiful art design that create a mesmerizing experience.
- Engaging and calming gameplay with a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- Heartwarming story that resonates emotionally, particularly the relationship between the mother and daughter.
- Game is too short, with many players completing it in under two hours, leading to disappointment regarding value for money.
- Puzzles are generally too easy compared to the first game, lacking the challenge that many players expected.
- The game requires an internet connection for license verification, which can be frustrating for offline play.
- graphics997 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in Monument Valley 2 are widely praised for their stunning beauty, intricate design, and captivating art style, which enhance the overall gaming experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's vibrant colors, smooth animations, and the seamless integration of visuals with the soothing soundtrack, creating a relaxing atmosphere. However, some players feel that while the graphics are exceptional, the gameplay lacks challenge and depth compared to the first installment, leading to a sense of disappointment regarding the overall value for the price.
“Beautifully rendered graphics with amazing optical illusions.”
“The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is fun.”
“The visuals are stunning and the puzzle aspect is something I've never seen before.”
“My only problem is that in the Forgotten Shores level 7, at some points, the graphics in the background break, specifically when you turn the structure when water is in it.”
“There's something to the new 'improved' graphics that, in my opinion, detracts from the experience of the first game.”
“The graphics and gameplay throughout the various levels were repetitive and not very challenging.”
- story835 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in Monument Valley 2 is described as beautiful and touching, focusing on the relationship between a mother and her daughter, which resonates emotionally with players. While many appreciate the stunning visuals and the minimalist storytelling approach, some feel the narrative is less complex and engaging compared to the first game, with a more straightforward and predictable plot. Overall, the game is praised for its artistic design and serene atmosphere, though some players express a desire for deeper storytelling and more challenging puzzles.
“The story is touching, intriguing, makes you want to know more, the world is beautifully designed, and the gameplay is perfect.”
“The engaging puzzles, beautiful minimalist landscape, emotional sound design and touching story play off each other to create something far more than the sum of its parts.”
“A beautiful story told in an elegantly designed game.”
“Whereas the previous story was subtly told through the environment, here it is quite explicit and predictable.”
“The story is much more straightforward and less interesting than the first.”
“The story feels forced on it.”
- music682 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with its beautiful and soothing soundtrack. Many players noted that the music complements the stunning visuals and clever puzzles, creating a serene atmosphere that draws them into the gameplay. While some reviews mentioned that the music in the sequel may not reach the same heights as the original, it still remains a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
“The colourful aesthetic and calming soundtrack draw the player into a surreal set of fairly simple puzzles, manipulating the environment and interacting with familiar elements.”
“A beautiful soundtrack underscores very well made puzzles that at times had me scratching my head.”
“The music brings such emotional depth to the gorgeous visuals!”
“A wonderful game just like the first but marred by an inescapable sound bug on my galaxy tablet - constant static and crackle that ruins the nice relaxing music.”
“The background music makes the speaker crackle.”
“The music was better in the first game, and I feel they should have given the soundtrack over entirely to Obfusc, who had the best and most magical tracks in Monument Valley one.”
- gameplay447 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Monument Valley 2 is visually stunning and features innovative mechanics, but many players feel it lacks the challenge and depth of its predecessor, often completing it in under two hours. While the art and music are praised for their beauty and atmosphere, the puzzles are generally considered too easy and the overall experience too short for the price. Despite these criticisms, the game is still regarded as enjoyable and engaging, with some new mechanics that enhance the experience, though many wished for more complexity and content.
“The gameplay is so varied throughout your entire adventure... it's simply beautiful.”
“The gameplay is brilliantly done, even better than the first version.”
“Beautiful graphics, clever mechanics, lovely story... I loved it just as much as the first.”
“The gameplay is too linear for me.”
“Gameplay is too short, took me less than an hour to finish it.”
“For this price, I expected a few more levels of story, and more complexity in gameplay.”
- emotional145 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players describing it as a heartfelt and touching experience that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. The narrative, centered around themes of family and growth, is complemented by stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack, creating an immersive and emotional journey. While some feel the emotional impact is less intense than in the first installment, the overall consensus is that the game successfully delivers a poignant and engaging story that resonates deeply with players.
“The engaging puzzles, beautiful minimalist landscape, emotional sound design, and touching story play off each other to create something far more than the sum of its parts.”
“The gameplay is brilliant and the story of the child leaving the mum so she can go on her own journey is very sad but very heartfelt too.”
“The story was incredibly heartfelt and I truly felt like I was there.”
- atmosphere77 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, soothing music, and immersive soundscapes, creating a relaxing and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the minimalist design and artistic storytelling, which enhance the overall ambiance, making it a joy to play, especially with headphones. While the puzzles may be considered easy, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric qualities are consistently described as exceptional and captivating.
“It has a great relaxing atmosphere and it's an audiovisual pleasure.”
“The atmosphere is on point and the graphics are very attractive.”
“Amazing atmosphere, beautiful soundtrack and graphics.”
“It's a beautifully written game, sound composure is brilliantly executed, mesmerizing scenery/atmospheres; it just falls short of its predecessor.”
“A beautifully framed game, with excellent music, graphics and atmosphere, that sadly fails because the puzzles just aren't very challenging.”
“Need more atmosphere with the levels, and the levels are way too simplistic.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many users noting its short length and lack of engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While a few players found it relaxing and enjoyable enough to revisit, the consensus leans towards minimal replay value, making it less appealing for those seeking extended gameplay.
“Relaxing to play, and for me, has replayability.”
“Edit: I think I sold this game short, the replay value is good, and I can't be more excited that my 5-year-old daughter has played through most of it and loves it.”
“But infinitely replayable for the sheer joy of it.”
“I don't see any replay value from this game, unlike the first game.”
“My only complaint is that both are short games with little replay value.”
“For a 2 hour gameplay with zero replayability?”
- monetization22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the absence of ads and microtransactions, which contrasts sharply with modern mobile games. However, some users feel that the sequel is a cash grab, lacking the optional in-app purchases that were present in the first game, and criticize its short length and ease. Overall, players appreciate the straightforward purchase model and the lack of intrusive monetization tactics, but some express a desire for additional content similar to the original.
“No ads, no in-app purchases, just a pure undiluted game that the devs clearly put a lot of effort into and it shows.”
“It's a great game; download it while it's free, you can play offline and it has no ads.”
“In a world where in-game purchases are the norm, it's refreshing to see an old classic return with new levels and challenges, all of which are available and can be completed with a single purchase.”
“This sequel was clearly a cash grab.”
“Too short, too easy, no challenge, just a cash grab on the back of the first game.”
“The 'merchandise' link at the end makes the entire thing look like a huge cash grab.”
- stability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with some players reporting a smooth experience free of bugs and freezes, while others encounter various glitches, including screen freezes, audio issues, and physics problems. While many appreciate the game's graphics and gameplay, the presence of these technical issues has led to frustration for some users, particularly on specific devices.
“I do recommend it; it's a masterpiece with no freezes, no bugs, everything perfect.”
“Looks great, runs great, and the controls are intuitive.”
“Deeply integrated, bug-free code.”
“I've seen some glitches in the box and shadow glitches at the end of the game and before.”
“Alas it is too buggy to play on a Pixel C.”
“In the archipelago, the screen freezes frequently.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly on their devices, with no significant performance issues. However, some players express frustration regarding the lack of optimization for current Android devices, despite the game's appealing design and calming music.
“The design and graphics are impeccable with a great combination of colors, the music is calming and beautiful, the stories are nice, and the game runs smoothly on my phone.”
“It runs smoothly; I've had no issues.”
“Nice and relaxing game, runs smoothly on my Pixel.”
“Still a great game, which is why I'm still giving 5 stars, but I'm annoyed that after waiting for half a year after the iOS release for this game to finally launch on the phones that most people have, Android, it's not even optimized for current Android devices.”
“The game has potential, but the optimization is severely lacking. It struggles to run smoothly on my device, which is frustrating.”
“I love the concept, but the performance issues due to poor optimization make it almost unplayable at times.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as original and beautifully executed, evoking strong emotional responses such as laughter and joy. Players appreciate the entertaining and challenging nature of the gameplay, which is complemented by high-quality graphics and music. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal, especially for those familiar with its predecessor.
“I loved the first game; there were tears and laughter. Oh god, it's an awesome game! Shout out to the creators and the music director. The graphics, music, and colors were beautiful, but if you haven't played the first game, you won't really get it, so get it now!”
“The only game that's close to being as original and beautifully executed is an old PS2 game called Herdy Gerdy, which seems to have had quite a niche following. It sounds like a dull idea, but it was funny, entertaining, gorgeous, and fiendishly challenging.”