Journey Review

How can I even begin to "review" Journey the latest game from thatgamecompany and creative genius Jenova Chen. Words are insufficient at expressing the joy, wonder and magic that is on display here, Journey transcends videogames and simply exists on another level. Something that can be appreciated by anyone with even an inclination of human emotion. The key to its ingeniousness is that Journey is intuitive and simple, which helps immerse you in its breathtaking world, as you oftentimes wander aimlessly looking for anything in the vast desert environment sprinkled with hints of mysticism and past civilization. There were times playing Journey where I found myself emotionally invested in a creature I had meet not 15 seconds earlier. But Journey appeals to such basic instincts, burrowing its way into the deepest corners of your heart and bringing soothing and joyful warmth.

The reason this all sounds so hyperbolic is because Journey is very hard to put into simple terms, and while I sit here fearing my words aren't doing it justice I'm also fearful those same words are becoming eye-rollingly sappy. But heed my warning, dismiss this game at your own peril, if you have never played a videogame Journey is a shining beacon of exemplary craft and perfection, and a testament to what videogames can achieve. If you even remotely consider yourself a fan of this medium you owe it to yourself to experience the only must-play title of this entire generation.

Everything this game does is meant to effect something, the lighting sets the mood as its swings from exhaustingly bright and hot to warm and magical orange glows. The visuals shine with specks of sand that sparkle amidst the rolling plains of sand as you gracefully cut through them. The music unsurprisingly soars, helping craft a world with a mix of ethnic sounds ranging from Oriental instruments to African beats, its even timed to your progression as it speeds up when your filled with joy and becomes eerie when you enter new places. Astoundingly this game, for as little as it resembles a traditional videogame includes a co-op mode, which if the first part of this write-up gave you any indication is impeccably well made. There are no servers to join, friends to invite or connection issues. Players seamlessly enter and leave your world, like strangers in the night, courteously helping solve a problem and disappearing the next time you look behind you.

Journey is exactly that, a trek through an unknown world filled with beauty, wonder, fun, and horrifying dark secrets. Your input is minimal, you simply control a cloaked figure with only two abilities: jump and call. Armed with nothing but your sense of wonder, and do not fret those senses will be flooded, you explore a stunningly  gorgeous world. I have never played a game that is so intrinsically emotional to your very core. It illicits deep feelings with such ease you begin to question why everyone else seems to struggle capturing these very emotions. You'll undoubtedly find yourself grinning ear to ear as you surf down sand dunes, perking up in your seat at the sight of an unknown structure peaking out of the sand and fearful as the darker parts of this mysterious place rear their heads. I fear delving too deep into specifics since that sense of mystery is key to the experience, but suffice to say this is a meaningful game, both for its importance in this medium so many of us love but also for its uncanny ability to surface such strong emotions.

(5 out of 5)