Memorable Monuments: Level Design in Monument Valley I, II & III

One of the tips that my game design teacher would often give on memorable level design is this: Design your level so that it can be described with a single word.

Monument Valley is a particularly wonderful game series to illustrate this particular point, so let's delve into the level design of this game.

Monument Valley is set in an isometric perspective featuring 3D 'impossible' geometrical structures. The protagonist must navigate visual puzzles centred around illusions that emerge when 3D structures are displayed in an isometric projection.

All the levels are distinctive.

The level design also incorporates motifs from the human world and natural world to ground itself and provide familiar contexts. This includes plants, pagodas, temples, domes reminiscent of mosques, churches and more.

The game also draws upon other motifs from real life for mechanics including spigots and more.