The video game industry continues to evolve, and one of the most captivating advancements is in how audio can enhance storytelling within games. The upcoming title, Monument Valley 3, developed by ustwo games, aims to redefine interactive sound through an innovative approach to its audio design. Set to launch on July 22, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, the game promises to transform every player’s interaction into a vivid soundscape, deeply tied to its narrative journey. Audio Director Todd Baker shares insights into how the game’s music and sound design convey the emotional arcs of its protagonist, Noor, setting the stage for an immersive experience that engages players on a new level.
Reimagining Game Audio
The creative journey for Monument Valley 3 began with the intent to push the boundaries of traditional game audio. Baker emphasizes that the objective was not merely to have a soundtrack complement the visuals. Instead, they aimed for the audio to be an intrinsic part of the narrative and gameplay experience, contributing emotionally to each action the player takes. This fresh focus on audio has already garnered nominations at prestigious awards, including the D.I.C.E. Awards and the Mobile Game Awards, highlighting its innovative contribution to the field.
Collaborating with co-composer Lucie Treacher, Baker steered clear of the familiar ambient soundscapes that characterized the first two games in the Monument Valley series. This conscious shift allowed them to explore new musical territory, creating unique audio textures for each level. Instead of a single, cohesive musical theme, they treated each chapter as an individual sound installation, tailoring its sonic elements to the emotional weight and artistic design of the environment.
Dynamic and Interactive Soundscapes
A standout feature of the game’s audio design is its responsiveness. Central to its thematic core of transformation, the audio system adapts in real-time as players interact with the environment. Baker and Treacher employed granular synthesis and virtual instrument design, allowing the architecture within the game to serve as an instrument. For example, the music evolves as players shift blocks, guiding Noor through puzzles—effectively turning gameplay into a collaborative composition.
Water serves as a significant motif within Monument Valley 3, symbolizing both destruction and renewal. To enhance this theme, the sound team recorded an extensive library of water sounds—rivers, lakes, and even pouring taps—which were interwoven as both musical and atmospheric elements. Every splash and ripple is calculated to enrich the player’s experience, providing layers of sound that shift between ambient backgrounds and integral parts of the melodic structure.
Immersive Sound Experience with a Cinematic Touch
The tactile interaction within Monument Valley 3 is designed to resonate with players, creating an experience akin to performing a symphony. Every interaction, from turning gears to manipulating objects, is imbued with musicality, resulting in a rhythmic and harmonically rich feedback system. Baker likens the entire soundscape to a living instrument, where players create a unique performance with each session.
This level of intricacy cannot be achieved in isolation; Baker and Treacher closely collaborated with level designers and narrative leads from the outset. Sound was intricately woven into the game’s foundational elements, including the narrative arcs and spatial designs. The music and mechanics were developed in tandem to ensure a synergistic experience. One particularly noteworthy level, inspired by paper and origami, uses crinkling textures and lo-fi tape hiss to create a handmade audio ambiance that mirrors the delicate visual aesthetic.
The Emotional Journey of Noor
Ultimately, the most significant aspect of the audio in Monument Valley 3 is its capacity to guide players through Noor’s emotional journey of grief, growth, and hope. Baker emphasizes that the soundtrack is crafted to rise and fall with Noor’s internal struggles and triumphs, providing players with a deeper emotional connection to the gameplay. In reflective moments, the use of sparse strings and breathy flutes allows for introspection, while climactic puzzles are underscored by soaring melodies that evoke a sense of momentum and catharsis.
Designed to be enjoyed with headphones, Monument Valley 3 invites players to engage with its intricate sound design fully. The audio experience encourages careful listening, aiming for players to be as captivated by the soundscape as they are by the visuals. This innovative approach to game audio represents a significant leap forward in the industry, merging music, narrative, and interactivity in a seamless experience.
With its immersive sound design and emotional storytelling, Monument Valley 3 reflects a new standard for video game audio that goes beyond traditional boundaries. As players navigate through Noor’s world, they are invited to experience not just a visual journey, but a profound auditory adventure that resonates long after the game is over.
For those eager to embark on this sonic voyage, Monument Valley 3 is now available for pre-order, alongside its collectible vinyl soundtrack from iam8bit.
With a launch date fast approaching, the anticipation surrounding Monument Valley 3 signifies a growing recognition of audio’s essential role in video game storytelling, setting a benchmark for future titles in the gaming industry.