Moncage Review: A Puzzle Game with Mind-Boggling Optical Illusions

Before getting into the game review, let’s first understand the term Mind-Boggling. This term comes from the phrase “boggle the mind,” where “mind” refers to the human brain and “boggle” suggests anything unbelievable, unusual, or unexpected. Together, Mind-Boggling describes something so strange and extraordinary that it goes beyond imagination.  

What does it have to do with the game? Of course it is relevant, because Moncage is exactly that—an indie game that perfectly represents the concept of Mind-Boggling. Moreover, indie games like this one, while sometimes having minor imperfections, often produce a unique identity and creative vision of their developers that distinguish them from other mainstream titles.  

Released on November 16, 2021, Moncage is a puzzle game developed by Optillusion and published by X.D. Network Inc. While X.D. Network has previously collaborated with various developer, Optillusion is a relatively new name to the gaming community when it has just entered the indie scene with its debut product Moncage. 

Moncage tells a heart-breaking story about a boy, his father, and a mysterious lighthouse. The core gameplay of Moncage revolves around a rotatable cube, with each of its faces displaying different yet interconnected scenes. The objective is to find alignments between these dimensions and seamlessly merge the objects from different views to unlock progress. The excitement when discovering these connections is so satisfying, making Moncage feel like a continuous sequence of eureka moments. This mechanic is intuitive yet mind-bending, often requiring players to think outside the box (well, both figuratively and literally). A simple drag-and-rotate gesture makes it accessible, but the depth of the puzzles surely is a rewarding challenge. However, some puzzles can feel overly complex or disorienting, even frustrating, especially if players are unfamiliar with this style of mechanics. Fortunately, a built-in hint system provides guidance when needed.  

Unlike traditional storytelling, the game’s narrative is mostly visual and contains lots of symbolism. It requires players to connect the plot through contextual clues. However, the transitions between the scenes are incoherent at some points, making it difficult to fully hold the intended flow. Of course, every player interprets the story differently, but the lack of smooth storytelling integration is a noticeable flaw in an otherwise brilliant game. 

Visually, the use of 3D graphic style in Moncage is no novelty, but how to not become outdated and attract gamers at first sight is probably another matter. And perhaps, Optillusion has succeeded in making its brainchild stand out among hundreds of indie games. The game employs an art style based on simple 3D geometrical shapes, just like the rotating cube, yet super effective in linking the objects. Its soft, pastel-toned color palette, despite being a commonly used aesthetic, creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Each vignette is precisely designed, setting up abstract connections between real-life environments. The lighting and animations further add to the lively experience. 

Besides, the sound effects truly complement the game’s graphics and narrative. A calm yet melancholic soundtrack arranges an introspective mood. Every action from aligning an object to unlocking a new chapter, comes with satisfying audio feedback, boosting both the feeling of achievement and relaxation. 

Moncage is not a long game—most players will complete it in about 3–5 hours. However, I think its brevity is a strength rather than a weakness. The game maintains a focused plot without unnecessary padding. Every step is thoughtfully crafted, ensuring that players remain engaged throughout the time. The emotional journey gradually reveals itself and creates a lingering impact even after the puzzles are solved. For that reason, Moncage holds a significant replay value. The ingenious puzzle crafting with tons of hidden details urges players to go back to it and thus discover new aspects and connections that might have missed on the first play.

Overall, for those who enjoy puzzle games that have fascinating storylines and the gameplay full of creativity, I recommend Moncage as an absolute must-play. It encourages players to view the world from different perspectives, not just within the game but in real life as well. 

Basic information: 

Developer: Optillusion
Publisher: X.D.
Release date: November 16, 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS
Genres: Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure, Simulation 

Photos: Screenshots from Montage, taken by the author.

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