Journey

[Woodsey]

I did a little reflection on some of the stuff in 2012 (follow the site through my profile if you're interested), this is what I thought about Journey:

You?d think that Journey, going by the voices of internet commenters and critics alike, was the equivalent of peering into the abyss and being confronted by a 20-foot tall Kate Upton, all blonde and curvy and ruddy-well perfect. Moved to tears they all were; ?this is proof of gaming as art!? they cried in chorus. Bad art, maybe. Boring art, bloody certainly.

A barely interactive, unambitious slice of generic pie, Journey has, I fear, claimed such accolades by looking pretty and acting a bit ethereal and not really saying anything whatsoever. Like the players it sets you next to, it is at its core an indistinct and unmemorable experience. Had it not received, and continued to receive, the reception it did, I?d have probably have forgotten all about it by now. Ineffectual and impotent.

Seems to me that people are just so desperate to prove the value of the medium that they'll latch on to anything that an outside observer could more easily identify as "art". In reality its a painfully transparent and supremely uninteresting experience. People have claimed it's genuinely made them 'feel', but I don't see how. There's no danger, no task, the people who can accompany you don't matter in the slightest. You want a game that's going to make you feel because of other people's behaviour and actions, then play DayZ. Journey's subtitle may as well be 'My First Emotions' - the whole thing is wrapped in bubble wrap.

Intellectually shallow and emotionally vapid, but I guess it at least looks quite nice.

 

[The_Echo]

I keep hearing it's great, but what's the point to the game? I watched some of the gameplay and it was just a guy running around in a desert. Is there a point to it?

The 'point' of the game is to, well.. play it.

But really, it's in the title. It's a journey. Saying anything more would, honestly, spoil everything that makes it great.

So there's not point. That saves me time and money.

Please spoil it, spoilers can actually motivate me to get the game and experience it for myself if it sounds good. Otherwise it just looks like another crappy indie title where they use art to make it good rather than gameplay.

I... I mean... is there a "point" to any game? :I Besides playing it and having a good time, of course. Which are criteria I think Journey passes with flying colors. In the previous post I talked it up pretty well without spoiling anything, so. If you haven't read that, feel free to.

The gameplay is really great. Simple, but great. Sort of like Super Meat Boy, except in a completely different way. I really don't want to spoil it, because there's a certain magic to the game, especially the first playthrough, and it's very short. [sub][sub](Besides, it's only like $15, I mean. C'mon.)[/sub][/sub][sub][sub][sub]
Plus there's the Collection which comes with two other games and a bunch of other bonus stuff.[/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[TehCookie]

I keep hearing it's great, but what's the point to the game? I watched some of the gameplay and it was just a guy running around in a desert. Is there a point to it?

The 'point' of the game is to, well.. play it.

But really, it's in the title. It's a journey. Saying anything more would, honestly, spoil everything that makes it great.

So there's not point. That saves me time and money.

Please spoil it, spoilers can actually motivate me to get the game and experience it for myself if it sounds good. Otherwise it just looks like another crappy indie title where they use art to make it good rather than gameplay.

I... I mean... is there a "point" to any game? :I Besides playing it and having a good time, of course. Which are criteria I think Journey passes with flying colors. In the previous post I talked it up pretty well without spoiling anything, so. If you haven't read that, feel free to.

The gameplay is really great. Simple, but great. Sort of like Super Meat Boy, except in a completely different way. I really don't want to spoil it, because there's a certain magic to the game, especially the first playthrough, and it's very short. [sub][sub](Besides, it's only like $15, I mean. C'mon.)[/sub][/sub][sub][sub][sub]
Plus there's the Collection which comes with two other games and a bunch of other bonus stuff.[/sub][/sub][/sub]

Beat the villain, save the world, rescue the princess and those are just simple cliche reasons. I read your above post and it all you mentioned was the art and the magic. I'm asking what the magic is because I'm not seeing it. I recognize it has good art and some people may like it for that, but to me art makes a game better it doesn't make a game.

[sub][sub]Also I'm a cheapass, most games I buy cost around $15 and are a lot longer than 2 hours. [/sub][/sub]

 

[Eddie the head]

It seems great, but, and a very big but...
I don't have a PS3.
Will it get released for the PC? And if not why not? I can't for the sake of me imagine that the arty games types will by a PS3 merely for one game.
And more importantly will they ever release Okami for the PC?

Sony paid for Journey, that's why you don't have it on anything spare the PS3.

 

[The_Echo]

I'm asking what the magic is because I'm not seeing it.

Like Super Meat Boy, the point is to get to the end. The mountain, in this case.

Well there's your answer, I guess.
[sub][sub]I tend to think things are better the less you know beforehand, so... kinda forgot how simple that was. :I[/sub][/sub]

The 'magic' I'm talking about it just sort of... how it feels, or felt to me at least, to play the game. It was this sense of wonderment, curiosity, adventure, camaraderie, purpose and maybe even hope that I have unfortunately not had before or since playing it. Maybe to others it wouldn't be so amazing, but to me, it sort of flushed my soul out and made me feel actually alive, rather than just living. I know that probably sounds like some grade-A bullshit, but that's really how I felt. Or as close as I can get to explaining it. It's weird, putting it to words.

Of course, I can and probably will hold this game miles above any other for the rest of my days, so I'd understand taking everything I say with a grain of salt.

 

[Peithelo]

Beat the villain, save the world, rescue the princess and those are just simple cliche reasons.[/sub][/sub]

Oh, then the objective in Journey would be to reach a mountain that is visible from the very beginning. At the beginning you simply find yourself as a being of some sort, you then see a lonely mountain in the backround and embark on a journey in the hopes of reaching it in the end. Much like the name itself would have you think Journey is about the journey to reach that mountain.

Journey is an experience more than anything else, and a beautiful one at that I would have to say. The entire premise of Journey is extremely simple as are the story and gameplay aspects of it as well. That the immersive journey through an unknown and empty world could prove to be so compelling and yet remain so simplistic in its presentation is exactly what I like about Journey. The thematics behind it all were also presented in a way that I found interesting. The music is phenomenal, must not forget that either.

 

[Ignatz_Zwakh]

It's pretty special. Most definitely worth picking up.

 

[TehCookie]

The 'magic' I'm talking about it just sort of... how it feels, or felt to me at least, to play the game. It was this sense of wonderment, curiosity, adventure, camaraderie, purpose and maybe even hope that I have unfortunately not had before or since playing it. Maybe to others it wouldn't be so amazing, but to me, it sort of flushed my soul out and made me feel actually alive, rather than just living. I know that probably sounds like some grade-A bullshit, but that's really how I felt. Or as close as I can get to explaining it. It's weird, putting it to words.

Of course, I can and probably will hold this game miles above any other for the rest of my days, so I'd understand taking everything I say with a grain of salt.

I can understand that, minus the camaraderie I felt the same while playing Okami. Journey just looks like a ton of sand or snow. Maybe a few rocks to break it up. People say it looks amazing, but it just looks plain to me. Now I know I'm not missing something and it's just my opinion.

Journey is an experience more than anything else, and a beautiful one at that I would have to say. The entire premise of Journey is extremely simple as are the story and gameplay aspects of it as well. That the immersive journey through an unknown and empty world could prove to be so compelling and yet remain so simplistic in its presentation is exactly what I like about Journey. The thematics behind it all were also presented in a way that I found interesting. The music is phenomenal, must not forget that either.

That helps me understand it but I mostly play games for the story or gameplay so one that has neither is extremely unappealing. Also my sense of immersion is off from the average, so in order to play it I would require large amounts of alcohol.

Thanks for explaining it to me though.

 

[Weaver]

I felt people really overhyped Journey.
It was a nice game, I guess, but I hardly felt it was worth the $15 admission.

I didn't find it moving in the least, and I was expecting something with a strong emotional impact. I've found several cheaper indie games have touched me far, far deeper than Journey did. I understand (or I think I do) the metaphor the game is working on. The Journey of life (from birth to death). The literal highs (when you fly) and the literal lows (the "underwater" section). All of which is made better by going through life with a partner.

But, really, besides being a pretty game with good music; the story did nothing for me. The gameplay was boring and I never, once, found myself having fun in any way.

 

[IGetNoSlack]

In reality

Correction: It's your opinion. Which I respect, but it's just your opinion.

That being said, I say get it. If only so you can legitimately form an opinion (More so than just watching it on YT anyway.)

 

[Woodsey]

In reality

Correction: It's your opinion. Which I respect, but it's just your opinion.

That being said, I say get it. If only so you can legitimately form an opinion (More so than just watching it on YT anyway.)

Yep, well done. Someone talking about an entirely subjective topic - about art, no less - is giving their opinion. I'm afraid you'll just have to imagine your round of applause.

While we're at it, we might as well also mention that the sky tends to be blue and the grass green. And look out for that water stuff: shit's wet.

 

[Innegativeion]

The price of a movie and about the same length, but WAY more worth your money.

The bond you form with the anonymous partner is absolutely astonishing, for not being able to communicate. Also has some of the most gorgeous environments of this generation. Buy it.

 

[Woodsey]

In reality

Correction: It's your opinion. Which I respect, but it's just your opinion.

That being said, I say get it. If only so you can legitimately form an opinion (More so than just watching it on YT anyway.)

Yep, well done. Someone talking about an entirely subjective topic - about art, no less - is giving their opinion. I'm afraid you'll just have to imagine your round of applause.

"In reality" is not the statement of a man that's simply looking to share his opinion.

I think it's the statement of man who doesn't think other users on the site are complete and utter idiots who need every piece of opinion adorned with 'IN MY OPINION' at the end so that they can feel at ease. It's literally impossible for me to claim to be stating a fact in this conversation, no matter which phrasing I've casually used to express the difference in my opinion versus what seems to be the majority one.

So is that all the pedantry out of everyone's system, or is there something even more revolutionary than "your opinion is your opinion" waiting in the wings?

 

[00slash00]

stop reading this comment and go play journey!

its short, very short. you will finish it in a single sitting. but it is truly a marvel of gaming. without a single word or line of text the game conveys a story, gives you a real connection to your character in the world, and makes you deeply care about the player your traveling with, whom you do not know and cant talk to. it is amazing how another player will come out of nowhere, you will not be able to communicate, and yet you will feel deeply close to them. when i traveled with someone for the first time i tried to ignore them, i wanted to go off on my own. soon i found myself feeling lonely when they werent around and would even go looking for them. and the ending....oh my god

.....

PLAY IT!

 

[TecnoMonkey]

Buy the game and go play it, although there is a chance of you joining the very small group of people that dislike the game, as in the case of Woodsey, I think for 15 bucks it's worth the risk. Because if you do end up enjoying Journey you'll have experienced something that no game has ever provided.

 

[Dreadman75]

Journey...What can I say about Journey that hasn't already been said many times over. I guess I'll just give my experience...

From my perspective it's a game that excels at saying something without really saying anything at all. Most of what you get out of the game is up to your own interpretation. There is a story there as well but it's told entirely through pictures instead of words or even actions. I thought that was brilliant myself.

The game itself is very simplistic. You only use two buttons and the analog stick. You can only communicate through multiplayer by way of multi-tonal chirps. And you don't even learn the names of your traveling companions until after the end of the game itself. In that way I think it helps you form a much closer bond to those traveling with you than in traditional multiplayer, they say actions speak louder than words after all.

What I got out of the game was an experience. In it I saw themes of friendship, faith, and reincarnation among many others. It also has the most beautifully rendered sand I have ever seen anywhere.

If you have a PS3 then buy this game. It isn't something to be missed.
And If I can offer one last piece of advice: Play online. The multiplayer element brings the full experience.

 

[Weaver]

stop reading this comment and go play journey!

its short, very short. you will finish it in a single sitting. but it is truly a marvel of gaming. without a single word or line of text the game conveys a story, gives you a real connection to your character in the world, and makes you deeply care about the player your traveling with, whom you do not know and cant talk to. it is amazing how another player will come out of nowhere, you will not be able to communicate, and yet you will feel deeply close to them. when i traveled with someone for the first time i tried to ignore them, i wanted to go off on my own. soon i found myself feeling lonely when they werent around and would even go looking for them. and the ending....oh my god

.....

PLAY IT!

I just still don't get it, unfortunately.
Maybe I'm a sociopath or something, because I felt no bond, whatsoever, with any of the 8 or so partners I met during Journey. It was "Oh neat, another player"! then we both just went on our way.