Journey Review (PSN)

Don’t stop…traversing

It’s hard to write a review for a game like Journey. Trying to do so is like writing a blurb for a book with nothing but spoilers to go on. It plonks you in the centre of a beautiful and alien land with a literally mountainous goal to reach, and sets you off on one of the most stunning quests you’ll ever have the pleasure of playing with nothing but your intrigue to spur you on. JourneyYou enter Journey as a young lost girl, cast into a barren wasteland attempting to reach a mountain far off in the distance. With little knowledge of the world around you, you’re forced to fight through the harsh environment and clamber through beautiful ruins in a bid to complete her pilgrimage. Although the girl’s journey seems incredibly perilous, it’s exceptionally remarkable, and possibly one of the most beautiful adventures you’ll ever undertake. Journey may be set in a more mystical realm, but it shares a lot with thatgamecompany’s former artistic entry Flower. You’re tasked with getting from A to B by gliding through the air and bringing dulcet lands to life, yet this takes a more conventional gaming approach than the studios previous relax-’em-up whilst still remaining unique. It has all the elements of a simple platformer, with progress relying on timed jumps and gathering collectables that will aid you in the future, but will weave in stealth and puzzle mechanics without ever overcomplicating gameplay. Nothing in the game will particularly vex the mind, but the simple design and non-threatening challenges gives the game a wonderful sense of pacing that simply encourages you to behold rather than demand you have something to prove. Tutorials are kept to a minimum, yet a simple control scheme of one joystick and two buttons means you’ll have to unravel the game slowly but surely in every aspect of its design. The plot is uncovered in melancholy cutscenes and rules are slowly spoon fed and worked out through your own actions. It makes the world seem even more peculiar to the workaday mind, and heightens the desire for exploration. Delve further into Journey, and you’re rewarded with an aesthetic treat.

Although the scope of Journey is a marvellous spectacle to behold, it’s the tiniest details in game design that can really make it something special

Despite its simplistic design, Journey pulls out all the stops to massage the horrid knots of reality out of your eyeballs. Buildings are plain, but are constructed and designed to rival the most beautiful temples of the real world. The true testament to the world’s flawless looks is the environment itself. The setting sun bounces straight of the sand of the desert vastness causing mirage-like visuals to glisten on the screen, and as bigger areas start to come to life, the games evolution can leave you nothing short of breathless. Adding to the wonderful aura is the spectacular sound design that lulls you throughout. A battalion of calming instruments beckon seamlessly from beginning to end, and the flourishes from actions merge with the music perfectly. It makes me wonder when televisions are going to become nothing more than fancy frames for ever-changing paintings. Although the scope of Journey is a marvellous spectacle to behold, it’s the tiniest details in game design that can really make it something special. The pitter patter of different hidden terrains underneath your feet entices you to explore even further into the world, and the games non-intrusive online component encourages cooperative play without marring either player should one not be able to keep up with the other. Witnessing a human controlled doppelg�nger for the first time took me by surprise, and the unquestionable teamwork that occurred between the two of us was rather uplifting as we called out to each other and shared powers. Although working with a stranger can help in certain circumstances, the quest is just as enjoyable alone, the inclusion of random players simply adds to the surprises that Journey can deliver. JourneyUnfortunately, it also shares its casual predecessors cons, clocking in at just over an hour for a first playthrough, it just feels too short. This isn’t rabid refund ranting demanding I get bang for my buck, but the game has enough depth and drive in it that it feels like it can go on for longer. As soon as the credits and the names of those who had joined me on my quest rolled past, I didn’t want free-time to reflect upon it, I wanted to fire it straight back up to douse myself in its charms once again. Trophy hunters will certainly find the time to gather up pixelated prizes and will love doing so, but it may be a while for others to jump back into a game which offers up so much in design, yet practically so little. I’m aware that everything written here makes me sound like a flouncy pillock, but Journey really is a marvellous spectacle to behold. In a time where huge blockbusters scream out for attention, Journey flaunts its beauties with little to no effort. It may be a quest of bite-size proportions, but one of the few titles that warrants its adventure tag-line not in its length but its pure delight to explore. Simply reading up on the game just isn’t enough, as five minutes f gameplay paints a million words that all boil down to ‘Stunning’. If you’re looking for a spectacle that’s the closest you’ll get to a gaming vacation, shell out on Journey, sit back with a hot mug of hot chocolate and simply play. It’ll be a blimming brilliant hour of peacefulness that’ll rival even a meditation session with the Dalai Lama.

The Good: Amazing visuals, Wonderful sound design, Minimalistic mechanics only furthers resolve to play,
The Bad: Very short with little replay value in terms of gameplay, Simplicity will disappoint those looking for a challenge


Journey Journey Journey Journey Journey 


Silver Y AwardSilver Y Award
4 4 / 5

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.