What Is The Monument Valley Trilogy Exhibition At The National Videogame Museum?

Ever played a game on your phone and thought, “Wow, this is actually a piece of art”? That’s the feeling millions got from Monument Valley. It’s a game that’s more than just tapping a screen; it’s a beautiful, mind-bending puzzle. And now, the magic behind this iconic series is being celebrated in a special event. The National Videogame Museum in Sheffield is teaming up with the creators, ustwo games, for an exhibition that gives visitors the chance to step inside its world. This isn’t just for serious gamers; it’s for anyone who loves art, design, and a good brain-teaser.

A Little Trip Down Memory Lane

Back in 2014, Monument Valley appeared on mobile phones and completely changed expectations of what a game could be. It wasn’t about fast reflexes or high scores. Instead, players guided a silent princess through stunning, impossible structures using clever perspective-shifting puzzles.

The game’s unique look is built around impossible architecture. Think staircases that loop back on themselves or walkways that suddenly connect once you rotate the world. Monument Valley 2 followed in 2017, introducing a touching story about a mother and child. With the release of Monument Valley 3 in 2024 and its expansion, The Garden of Life, the full trilogy is now available across mobile, console, and PC.

The series has gone on to win a BAFTA award, proving that games can be both deeply artistic and emotionally resonant.

So, What’s Actually At The Exhibition?

From 19 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, the National Videogame Museum becomes a gateway into the world of Monument Valley. The exhibition celebrates the full trilogy and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how ustwo games created its iconic visual style and gameplay.

Visitors can expect:

• Play the trilogy – All three games, including Monument Valley 3, will be fully playable in the museum for the first time
• A real-life model – A detailed 3D model recreating one of the game’s maze-like levels, bringing its impossible architecture into the physical world
• Behind-the-scenes insight – A screening of Building the Impossible: The Making of Monument Valley 3, revealing the creative process behind the game

The exhibition explores the storytelling, music, and puzzle design that have made the series so distinctive.

More Than Just Looking At Things

This is not a hands-behind-your-back museum experience. The Monument Valley exhibition is designed to be interactive and creative, with activities running throughout the Christmas holidays.

Visitors can design their own Monument Valley-inspired geometric puzzles and characters, learning how optical illusion and perspective are used in game design. There’s also a relaxed reading area filled with books on geometry, puzzles, and visual illusions, perfect for those who want a quieter moment.

The aim is to celebrate creativity and show just how much craft goes into modern video game design.

A Team-Up Of Gaming Giants

The collaboration between the National Videogame Museum and ustwo games is a natural fit. ustwo is internationally recognised for Monument Valley and titles like Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, while the museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating videogame culture.

With Monument Valley 3 freshly released, the exhibition offers a timely look at how the series has evolved. As John O’Shea, Creative Director at the museum, explains:

“The new Monument Valley model is a beautiful object, celebrating videogames as an interactive artform. We’re delighted to work with ustwo games, and honoured to present all three Monument Valley games as playable experiences in the Museum for the first time.”

It’s an experience that celebrates not just a beloved game, but a defining moment in videogame art and design.

Address: The National Videogame Museum, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN, United Kingdom