# The Valley of the Architects — A puzzle game about elevators > Puzzle adventure game using elevators to solve challenges and uncover a lost story. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Warren.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-valley-of-the-architects/id6740152476 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Michael Warren](https://appshunter.io/developer/625991157) - Category: Games, Casual, Puzzle - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 4.50/5 from 27 App Store ratings · 14 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.0 · 708 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2025-03-28 - Data updated: 2026-08-27 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-valley-of-the-architects/id6740152476/reviews.md ## What is The Valley of the Architects? Follow architectural writer Liz as she journeys through Africa to uncover the secrets of the lost Architect. Make use of your wits to prevail against some of the most intriguing challenges you will ever face. Using only elevators, make your way through the trials and complete the tests The Lost Architect left for you. Only with perseverance and determination will you reveal the true story lying deep below. The Valley of the Architects is a game about adventure, survival and determination. Each level is a page in Liz's latest article, read by her, revealing the story she journeyed through and the climax it reaches. Features • Gameplay: Pickup and play with simple controls but engaging puzzles. • The Puzzle: The crowning jewels in each level are the meticulous puzzles that the mysterious "Architect Q" has left you. • Gorgeous Dioramas: Stunning worlds lay the setting for each level. • Beautiful Soundtrack: As you progress through the level, the score reacts and engrosses you. • Story: A fully narrated story that unfolds in the latest issue of Architectural Abstract magazine. STORY Delve into a fully voice narrated story that takes place in the latest pages of Architectural Abstract magazine. A story about architecture turns into something much more as you progress through each page. MECHANICS Something you've never played before, surely. A game about elevators? It can't be! Manipulate the level to help Liz make her way through the trials left behind years ago. As you play, the puzzles evolve, challenge increases and the rules change to test your skills in new ways. LIZ Liz is the main character in this journey, wonderfully voice acted (by a REAL actor) to bring the story to life. With the magazine's reputation on the line, let her take you to places most people wouldn't dare. ## Key features - Elevator-based puzzle mechanics - Fully voice-narrated story - Stunning diorama visuals - Engaging and evolving puzzles - Beautiful reactive soundtrack - Pickup and play simplicity ## Chart rankings - #197 in Top Paid · Casual (US App Store) ## Recent user reviews (10 of 14) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-valley-of-the-architects/id6740152476/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Ok *2026-08-03* Hard to see on a phone screen, kind of trial and error instead of strategy, linear gameplay, not much of interest **Developer response:** Hello, thanks for your feedback. If you’re finding the game to be very trail and error, please take a look at the guide in the in-game menu, there’s some tips to help get a sense of the mechanics, which can help with planning. I also advise turning on the level counter to get a sense of how timing/syncing really works. You’ll be strategizing in no time! Thanks Mike ### 5/5 — Excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ *2025-12-27* What a fantastic puzzle game! A simple start gradually advancing in difficulty as you progress with great tutorials to explain mechanics. I’m loving this game and don’t seem to have any blaring sounds like another reviewer suggested only lovely background music that works well. This game reminds me of another favourite of mine called Stuffo both are criminally underrated. Don’t hesitate to get this gem and support this talented developer it is well worth the teeny tiny price! Very cool,clever and original design. ### 3/5 — Decent puzzler but… *2025-11-14* …even with sound turned off the BLARING company logo sounds with each new load, and then the game sound has to be turned off again. Irksome bug! ### 2/5 — Phone overheating *2025-11-08, version 1.1.6* Major phone overheating ### 5/5 — Love it!!! *2025-04-12* I’m not a huge gamer, but love that this is a puzzle game…and really gets my brain going..trying figure out the various challenges in each level. I swear it’s making me smarter lol Also love the story aspect and the narration plus all features/options 👌🏽 the visual😍beautiful The music🥰so great So happy I got it and would recommend 💁🏻‍♀️ ### 5/5 — Try it outt *2025-04-11* Very fun, thought provoking game with just enough mental stimulation/ challenge to keep you engaged without making you feel defeated! ### 5/5 — THIS GAME IS AMAZING I LOVE IT SOO MUCH *2025-04-09, version 1.1.5* This game is incredible and I love the the puzzles the everything I love it so much and I am an puzzle geek myself and this I approve 1,000,000%. It is the best thing ever best game that I’ve played. It is worth it and it is long challenging hard levels and for an annual release game. I haven’t experienced any bugs myself and a huge thank you for developing this game. ### 5/5 — Great game *2025-04-07* Beautifully designed, engaging story and a good brain challenge. ### 5/5 — A beautiful minimalist puzzle adventure *2025-04-06* I highly recommend giving this game a try if you enjoy puzzles that make you feel accomplished after completing. It has a story behind the architecture sets and is sort of like an architectural magazine filled with beautiful pieces and puzzles while it tells the story of Liz. The game is made by a single dev who worked on this game for a few years and you can tell the heart and design choices in the game reflect the devs ideas. Other than that here’s a quick rating. Story: It’s light and easy to understand. Fully voiced. Atmosphere: The art-style carries each page you enter and the puzzles get more challenging as you progress. Gameplay: From others have said is the “tutorial is too difficult” but I think it’s actually quite easy to understand. If you enjoy puzzles then you can figure it out. I’d say the dev already has fixed that issue and I passed the tutorial within 10-15 minutes. Overall I find this to be a little treasure of a game and I’ll remember it fondly. I suggest giving it a try! ### 5/5 — Unique *2025-04-02* Fabulous, unique, and challenging puzzle game. Have only encountered one issue so far where the resolution resets itself to a lower level, however a restart of the app corrects it. Great game, don’t miss this one. **Developer response:** Happy you are enjoying! Thanks for the review! ## Frequently asked questions about The Valley of the Architects ### What is the gameplay like in The Valley of the Architects? The Valley of the Architects features unique puzzle gameplay centered around manipulating elevators to navigate levels. The puzzles are designed to be engaging and evolve as you progress, offering increasing challenges and changing rules. ### Is The Valley of the Architects available offline? The provided data does not specify whether The Valley of the Architects supports offline play. Typically, narrative-driven puzzle games can be enjoyed offline, but this should be confirmed with the developer. ### What is the price of The Valley of the Architects? The Valley of the Architects is a paid application priced at $3.99. This is a one-time purchase with no additional in-app purchases or ads mentioned. ### What devices support The Valley of the Architects? The Valley of the Architects is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices. ### How often is The Valley of the Architects updated? The Valley of the Architects was last updated on May 2, 2025, with version 1.1.6. This indicates a relatively recent update, suggesting ongoing support and potential for future content. ### What is the age rating for The Valley of the Architects? The Valley of the Architects has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for a wide audience, including younger players, with content generally considered appropriate. ### What makes The Valley of the Architects' story unique? The Valley of the Architects features a fully voice-narrated story that unfolds within the pages of a fictional magazine. The narrative follows architectural writer Liz as she uncovers secrets, blending adventure and mystery. ### What do players like about The Valley of the Architects? Based on its 4.5-star rating from 19 ratings, players likely appreciate the game's unique elevator-based puzzles, engaging story, and atmospheric presentation, including its gorgeous dioramas and beautiful soundtrack. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.1.6 — 2025-05-02 Bug fixes and improvements ### 1.1.5 — 2025-04-09 -Fixed visual glitch in tutorial -Stopper Placement Indicators updated -Level optimizations -Renamed the resolution toggle to "Full Resolution" (turn off on older devices) ### 1.1.0 — 2025-04-02 -Revision to tutorial -Revised/fixed UI for newer devices -Revised support for landscape play (Portrait suggested for iPhone) -Stopper Placement Indicators ### 1.0.2 — 2025-03-28 Release version ### 1.0.3 — 2025-03-28 Release Version ## Apps similar to The Valley of the Architects | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Legacy - Reawakening](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/legacy-reawakening/id6741156650) | 4.8 (359) | $2.99 | Games | | [Eco Power Towns](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eco-power-towns/id6748683190) | 4.4 (87) | $1.99 | Games | | [LUNA The Shadow Dust mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luna-the-shadow-dust-mobile/id1542973419) | 4.5 (25) | $4.99 | Games | | [Roterra Just Puzzles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roterra-just-puzzles/id6701984938) | 4.6 (19) | Free | Games | | [Isoland : Pumpkin town](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isoland-pumpkin-town/id1671507777) | 4.2 (31) | $0.99 | Games | | [The Biggleboss Incident](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-biggleboss-incident/id6747077832) | 4.7 (86) | $2.99 | Games | ## More apps by Michael Warren - [Widower's Sky](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/widowers-sky/id1059830277) - [The Valley of the Architects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-valley-of-the-architects/id1524167587) All apps by Michael Warren: https://appshunter.io/developer/625991157 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*