Monument Valley 3: Storytelling Through Soundscapes

Here’s what I got. Let’s see if I can make sense of this — or if I just went off the rails a bit. Anyway…

—

You ever have one of those projects you pour your soul into, and whether it works or not, you just feel it, you know? That’s kinda what Monument Valley 3 was like for us at ustwo games. The sound? Wow. Not just background noise here; we wanted it to wrap around every part of the game, make you feel every step Noor takes. Somehow, it all led to a bunch of award nods. Not too shabby, huh?

Todd Baker here — let’s talk shop. Me, alongside Lucie Treacher, yeah, we basically turned the audio world on its head here. Didn’t even go back to listen to the old soundtracks. Trying something new, right? Every level in this game? It’s its own little sound playground. Like, no single theme, just… whatever fits in that crazy world.

Oh, you can bet we played around. Bansuri flutes, Gamelan chimes — real wild stuff — mixed it with a solid 17-piece string section. It wasn’t just for show either; those sounds made Noor’s world come alive.

Now, the player’s movements, that’s another trip. You shift a block, rotate a tower, bam — the music just shifts with you. It’s like you’re a composer and didn’t even know it. Lucie and I even used water sounds — who even thinks of that? But it worked, splashes and all, tying into the whole theme of transformation.

Here’s a fun tidbit: there’s this level inspired by origami. Yeah, paper folds and stuff — wild. We mixed in paper sounds, lo-fi tape hiss — all trying to make it feel handmade. Like, yeah, we totally vibed with the visuals there.

And then there’s Noor’s emotional journey. The music just… follows her. Like holding hands through grief and growth. Gives you space when you need it, pushes when things get intense.

Okay, okay, so remember — headphones on. That’s when you really hear it all, every careful detail. Monument Valley 3 isn’t just a game you look at, it’s one you listen to, right there with Noor in her world. Ready to dive in and hear the story through sound. Can’t wait for everyone to get lost in it like we did.

Oh, and it drops on July 22 for Xbox. Got the vinyl soundtrack out too. You know, just in case you’re into that sorta thing.

Anyway, Monument Valley 3 — it’s a journey. Will you find the light? Who knows, but I hope it sounds amazing along the way.