Monument Valley proves that geometry can be beautiful.
This is a puzzle game in which you can experience an Illusionary adventure about architecture by building walkways, moving platforms, or repositioning pillars. The isometric view allows you to admire optical illusions in their full glory. The graphics are also very pleasing, and the silent princess makes you feel calm during this charming gameplay.
You’re here because you’re looking for something similar, right? When choosing alternatives to Monument Valley, we especially paid attention to their pleasant atmosphere, lack of rush in solving puzzles, and simple game mechanics.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Tokyo 42 | 2017-05-31 | Action & Shooter | SMAC Games |
 | Fez | 2013-05-01 | Adventure | Polytron Corporation |
 | Antichamber | 2013-01-31 | Adventure | Alexander Bruce |
 | Moncage | 2021-11-16 | Indie | Optillusion |
 | The Gardens Between | 2018-09-19 | Adventure | The Voxel Agents |
 | Inked | 2018-04-26 | Adventure | Somnium Games d.o.o. |
 | Florence | 2020-02-13 | Adventure | Mountains |
 | Gris | 2018-12-13 | Adventure | Nomada Studio |
 | The Mooseman | 2017-02-17 | Adventure | Vladimir Beletsky |
 | Bad North | 2018-11-16 | Indie | Plausible Concept |
| | The Gardens Between | 2018-09-19 | Adventure | The Voxel Agents |
 | Opus Rocket Of Whispers | 2018-02-08 | Adventure | SIGONO INC. |
 | Braid | 2009-04-10 | Indie | Number None |
 | Botanicula | 2012-05-07 | Adventure | Amanita Design |
 | Lumino City | 2014-12-02 | Adventure | State of Play Games |
Braid
| Release date: | 2009-04-10 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Number None |
Braid is a platformer, where you learn the story by collecting jigsaw puzzles. At any point, you can return to the previous world and collect what you missed.
The main character Tim can run, jump, solve puzzles, and manipulate time. If something goes wrong, you can rewind a few moments and act again, even if you die.
The initial version of the game won the Independent Games Festival, after which development continued for several more years. Before the final version, the graphics were modified several times, until finally a blurred background was introduced for a spatial effect and a sharp foreground.
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Evo Explores
| Release date: | 2016-05-16 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | Kyrylo Kuzyk |
Evo Explores game inspired by the abstract Monument Valley is also full of impossible objects, except that you manipulate the entire structure to reach the level’s exit.
The path to the door is deftly obstructed, but first, you open it with a button in another part of the map. Trust your eyes and twist the object’s elements to create a path to the next level.
Steam users greatly appreciate the game’s atmosphere and lack of imposed pace, which allows for clever path creation. Reviews on the platform speak for themselves: ‘The game includes nice graphics and nice music, that guarantees a great time. I’d recommend it.’ – vattax, ‘A nice, abstract puzzle game.’ -cbones-LINUX.
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Fez
| Release date: | 2013-05-01 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Polytron Corporation |
The most surprising element of this puzzle-platform game is the fact that it is also 3D. How is that possible? Thanks to objects that rotate horizontally discovering new paths.
The third dimension appeared to the main character, Gomez, after the golden hexahedron disintegrated. To restore his 2D world he must collect all the cubes by jumping between ledges while avoiding traps on the map.
Fez took the genre to the future with the novelty of the rotation mechanic giving depth to the environment. You won’t encounter enemies or bosses here; if you fall, you’re reborn. There is no need to rush, this is a peaceful game focused on solving puzzles.
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Botanicula
| Release date: | 2012-05-07 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Amanita Design |
In this adventure game, you solve puzzles through point-and-click mechanics and will have the opportunity to look at small creatures through the eyes of a child.
During the gameplay, you will be accompanied by five creatures that will meet various obstacles on their way. Your task is to allow them to pass by solving a puzzle. Along the way, there will be a lot of useful items to collect and creatures you can interact with.
The public received the game positively, for example on PC Gamer, Richard Cobbet in his review especially appreciated the originality of the surreal world and the humor woven into the gameplay.
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Lumino City
| Release date: | 2014-12-02 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | State of Play Games |
The sequel to the Lume game was nominated for ‘Excellence in Visual Art’ and is a unique production worth noting.
Lumino City is a handmade puzzle adventure game controlled entirely by the mouse. To restore electricity to the residents, your task is to solve ingenious puzzles and explore the city, where you will find gardens, towers, and various buildings.
The entire model of the city reaching a height of 10 feet was made by hand with the help of a laser cutter. A team of award-winning architects and artists contributed to the game’s development, which manifests in the result of the original and creative Lumino City.
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The Whispered World
| Release date: | |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Daedalic Entertainment |
In this hand-painted, fairy-tale 2D world, the gameplay stages are divided into four acts. During the journey, you will be accompanied by a depressed twelve-year-old clown and a caterpillar Spot.
The world is in danger, is what Sadwick has seen in his dreams, but later he’ll learn what the truth is. The core mechanics are pointing at objects and choosing one of three options: ‘talk’, ‘look’, and ‘use’. Useful items will be stored in your inventory, they will come in handy when solving puzzles.
You can go through the game at a leisurely pace, without rushing, and as much time as you need, that’s how much you’ll spend on more challenging tasks. There is a lot of dialogue here, but it will draw you through the whole plot of the main character and the fantasy world.
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Conclusion
Not everyone likes the rush, and games where you can relax with soothing soundtracks and minimalist, charming designs are the solution. It doesn’t matter if you are or are not a fan of optical illusions and unique puzzle mechanics, it’s always worth trying something new. So which game will you be tempted to play?