Have you tried Echochrome[1]? From the images, it seems like a pretty version of the latter. Does it have more to it?

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echochrome

The game has the same mechanics as Echochrome, but can you interact with the environment in Echochrome, or can you just rotate the scene? Monument Valley has a lot of switches and wheels to turn that open up new pathways.

It's also super beautiful, not just black and white (not that that isn't beautiful as well!)

I agree it looks pretty but it took me 40 minutes to complete all ten levels. Thats not very good value for money.

40 minutes for a couple of bucks, you ever been to an amusement arcade?

Not good value for money!! AN APP!!! And on HN as well. Unbelievable

I get your point but I think this is more about potential. After 40 minutes you feel slightly deflated that it was the end of the game.

If you compared it to Cut The Rope for example there's a lot more potential realised there.

Duration is not the most important metric for value of an experience for me.

Would you compare the quantity of food received at a fast food joint vs fine dining?

If I had to go to McDonalds after the fine dining so I don't starve then yes.

That’s where the metaphor falls flat, I guess …

Look, you can’t expect a game like that that’s sold for a couple bucks to last more than a few dozen minutes. People who make games have to eat, you know. Either you like that or you don’t. If you don’t like that, no problem, there is more than enough information out there to gauge that beforehand.

Takes me 3 minutes to down a cup of cof-- you know what let's not go down this road.

One reason I make my own coffee. Why go out and pay £3-4 for some slack to do it when you can take a 5 min timeout and do it yourself for £0.20 a hit. Plus you get some thinking time which is more valuable than the coffee.

Agreed!