How Soundscapes Shape the Story in Monument Valley 3

You know when you stumble upon a game and it just… clicks? That’s kinda what happened with Monument Valley 3, or at least that’s how it felt for the folks at ustwo games. Strap in, because this ride is all about feeling the music and sounds in your bones. It’s not just about playing the game; it’s about living the sound, if that makes sense. Todd Baker—yeah, he’s the guy behind the music magic—dished on how the sounds tell Noor’s story. Some big awards notices too, not to brag or anything.

So, let’s dive in. There are no rules here, or if there are, they’re made to be broken. Todd and his colleague Lucie Treacher ditched old sketchbooks and started fresh. Imagine starting a painting on a blank canvas, only with sounds. Sounds nuts, right? But they pulled it off. It must’ve been like watching a musician go off-script and just jam—only it’s all planned. The game hits the Xbox on July 22, and yeah, you better have those headphones on.

And, listen. Each level is its own little music bubble. Nothing carried over from the past games on purpose. No old soundtracks rehashed here. That was important, making every level its own little sound world. Some eclectic mix of instruments too. You’ve got a Bansuri thing going, a bit of Gamelan, and even a Kora, all layered with strings. It’s like throwing a global music festival in your ears. Why? Who knows, but it just works.

Oh, and water. Who thought water could be musical? Apparently, Todd did. Water sounds—drips, ripples, the whole shebang—became part of the game’s symphony. You could say the architecture of the game itself plays like an instrument. Ever tried turning the game’s blocks and ended up making some tunes? It’s a thing! The game reacts to you. It edits itself while you fumble through Noor’s journey.

Then there’s this whole touch-and-feel vibe going on. Every sound is meticulously crafted, like a gear turning is not just a click, it’s a symphony. It’s like the world is a musical instrument with us as clumsy but inspired performers. Weird, right?

Teamwork makes the dream work, they say. Todd and Lucie worked hand-in-hand with designers and story folks. Sound isn’t shy here; it needed to be central from the get-go. They sang (or played?) the game’s story into existence. Imagine mixing paper-inspired crinkles—like origami coming to life—with lo-fi sounds and vintage synths. That’s one of Todd’s favorite parts. Nice, huh?

And yet, underlying all the fanciness is Noor’s emotional arc of grief, growth, whatever growth means to you, and hope. There are moments when the music holds its breath just for you to reflect, and other times when it just swells, crash, bam.

Long story short, Monument Valley 3 is a must with its clickable, tap-able, tun-able symphony hidden in a visual masterpiece. Set for the Xbox release, it promises every emotional crest and trough you can handle. Even the soundtrack gets its own vinyl shoutout, so if you’re into that, you’re covered.

So here it is, an indie game ain’t just waving its artsy flag; it’s probably throwing it in your face with flair. Apparently, exploring mind-bending puzzles and surreal landscapes is the name of the game, especially with a strong soundtrack backing you up. Noor’s adventure awaits, and maybe, just maybe, it’s your jam too.

That’s a wrap. Or maybe not. I dunno. Guess we’ll all just have to play and find out.