Journey

I don't know how they did this, but the sand in this game looks better than real sand.

"Journey" was full of surprises for me. Somehow I thought the whole game would take place in the desert, and because I don't like deserts, I was somewhat hesitant at first. But I was proved wrong by "thatgamecompany" in terms of limited environment and climate.

It has beautiful graphics. Especially the lighting is outstanding. The environment responds to your movements and actions, and the interaction with the NPC is really fluid. The soundtracks are fitting, though some felt rather dull. The partner based multi-player is well implemented, and it feels really great to go through the whole journey with the same partner. At times you teach each other, show hidden paths to symbols and glyphs.

What really makes "Journey" such a jaw-dropping experience must be the pacing. In my opinion, the progression of the events makes the game truly similar to "real life". The game doesn't hold your hand, even though there's no complex puzzles whatsoever, you have to figure out what you have to do on your on if a partner does not guide you, which makes it a joy to explore and observe.

Recommended for: People looking for a relaxing, enlightening and peaceful experience.

Journey is one of the most unusual games I've ever played, and I live for small little indie titles imbued with passion like this. I've played a lot of "walking simulators," and this is perhaps the second best I've ever seen (second to What Remains of Edith Finch), and I'm not sure how to review it, because all at once I'm so moved by it, but also convinced it's entirely over my head. The part of me that wants to make sense of it goes crazy, but the part of me that just wants to feel something is head-over-heels, because Journey made me feel a lot of things, and I'm not entirely sure how to describe those feelings, but I felt things none-the-less. It's a game that operates on pure emotion, playing it makes you feel like you're experiencing something profound, and that's all I can really say because I don't know what else there is. I'll play it again sometime and see if the "logic" part of my brain comes to any conclusions.

Journey is well about a journey to the summit of a large mountain. If you play online you will be able to travel with companions that will help you along your way.

This is a rather short game but it is well worth it. The sounds heard are very tranquil and soothing. Even watching the sand flow beneath your feet is a pleasurable experience as you make your way up hills and through the wind. The structures and environment are impressive to say the least as I found myself pausing just to gaze at the beauty before me. Now the reason I am focusing on this aspect of the game is because the visuals are the main selling point. There is little combat or a big engrossing story the goal of this title was to be aesthetically pleasing.

If you are looking to get into gaming but are not used to handling controls, then this would be a good starter game. Only a few buttons are utilized and there is no need to learn combos or have very fast reaction time. This may not be for people who enjoy the heavy action genre as this game is set at a slower pace.

I really enjoyed this game and will be looking forward to my next journey in the future.

Overall Impression

Journey isn't just a game. It's an experience. A wordless, spiritual pilgrimage through a vast, mysterious desert, where every grain of sand, every note in the score, and every silent companion along the way says more than dialogue ever could. It redefines what a game can be-visually, emotionally, philosophically.

Visual Style & Atmosphere

The art design is stunning. It's minimalistic but rich, ethereal yet grounded. The vast deserts, ancient ruins, and shifting environments feel both alien and familiar-like dreams you almost remember. Every scene looks like a moving painting. Light, shadow, and weather effects are used not just for aesthetics but to evoke feeling. Whether you're sliding down sun-drenched dunes or trudging through a blizzard near the summit, the environment tells its own story.

Gameplay & Mechanics

Simple, intuitive, and elegant. Movement and a single 'chirp' button are all you have-yet it's all you need. Your scarf lengthening with collected glyphs becomes a visual metaphor for growth. Flight and gliding feel joyful and freeing. Puzzles and obstacles are light, keeping the focus on exploration and emotion. It proves you don't need complex mechanics to create depth-you just need purpose.

Companionship & Multiplayer

This is where Journey goes from brilliant to legendary. The multiplayer system is anonymous. No usernames. No chat. No leaderboards. Just two strangers sharing a silent pilgrimage. Sometimes, you'll walk alone. Other times, you'll share a bond that feels stronger than words. Players often describe feeling grief when separated from their partner, or joy at reuniting at the summit.

It turns what could be a lonely quest into something powerfully human.

Storytelling (Without Words)

There's no traditional narrative. No cutscenes. No exposition. But the world tells a mythic story through its ruins, tapestries, and transitions. Themes of life, death, rebirth, struggle, hope, and transcendence run deep. Each playthrough feels symbolic of a different phase in one's own journey-whether it's grief, healing, growth, or connection.

The ambiguity isn't a flaw-it's intentional. You project your own meaning onto the journey.

Music & Sound Design

Austin Wintory's score is not just one of the best in video game history-it's one of the most emotionally resonant compositions, period. The music swells with every beat of the story. Lonely, uplifting, sorrowful, triumphant-it carries you the entire way. It's no exaggeration to say the music alone could bring you to tears.

Every sound, every chirp, every wind gust is crafted with meaning and care.

Themes & Symbolism The Journey itself - A metaphor for life. For hardship. For spiritual awakening.

The mountain - A symbol of purpose or higher calling.

The death-like blizzard near the end - Facing your limits, mortality, and suffering.

The rebirth at the summit - Transcendence. Renewal. Peace.

It's a game that invites you to interpret it based on where you are in your life.

Replayability & Impact

You can finish Journey in under two hours-but the emotional impact lingers for days, even years. Each replay can offer something new. A new companion. A new interpretation. A new emotional layer. It's short, yes-but that's because it respects your time while aiming for maximum impact.

Legacy

Journey changed the industry. It shattered assumptions about what games have to be. It opened doors for artful, introspective storytelling in interactive media. And it proved that silence can speak louder than words when crafted with intention.

Final Verdict

10 out of 10.

Journey is not just a game-it's a meditation. A work of art. A spiritual experience. It's what happens when minimalism meets emotional precision. Few games can say so much with so little-and none do it like this.