There's something about Journey that sticks with you after the conclusion of the three-hour adventure. The gameplay is nothing special, you walk, jump, slide, glide, and fly up and down hills and slopes on your way to the top of a mountain. What really stood out was the journey itself all the way to the conclusion. From absolutely breathtaking visuals to one of the best soundtracks I have heard in a video game to date (and this is almost a 10-year-old game), Journey is something special that everyone should give a try.
Story
In Journey, you play as a red-cloaked character who finds him or herself in the middle of a desert. You goal is all the way in the distance: a mountain with a glowing light at the very top, which is your obvious endpoint. Along the way, you will gain techniques to enhance your ability to navigate the desert wasteland as well as discover possible events that led to the world you are currently in. The story itself is simply that and it is all it needs to be. A complex storyline for this type of game would be counterproductive to what Journey is trying to do. The story is the part of the game that holds everything together and lets the journey pull you in. I am estimating my playthrough lasted three hours, but it could definitely be shorter than that. The game's length is another part of the game's strength. If the game was longer than my first playthrough, it would make the game come off a stretched out for no reason.
Gameplay
As I mentioned previously, the gameplay is pretty simple (again, not a con). Journey is definitely about a journey to your final destination so your movement is limited to walking, jumping, and the occasional flying section. To help you get to areas quicker, you will find ways to successfully complete simplistic puzzles that block your path.
I will say that this game is not a tough one. Regular gamers should not pick this up looking for a little bit of a challenge with either some intricate puzzles or tough enemies to beat. You must keep an open mind and follow the path the game has put in front of you. I personally went into this game knowing not to expect anything challenging or engaging in terms of enemies and completed it in one sit through.
What I did not know at the time is that there is a way to play this game co-operatively. While I played solo during my only playthrough, it may be interesting to bring along a friend and see if you can uncover any additional secrets that you may have missed during your solo playthrough.
Graphics & Audio
This is where Journey truly shines. To put it simply: Journey is a piece of art. There's one instance where you are sliding down the sand during a sunset. The camera paves to the side of your character to show everything from the moving sand against your feet, the gorgeous sunset shining off the sandy slope, and the pillars that shadow certain portions as you continue down to the endpoint of that area. It is simple breathtaking. The graphical masterpiece is also accompanied by a brilliant musical score that alters to your character's movements as well as the in-game set pieces.
Verdict
I was surprised by how much Journey surprised me. Again, for a game that is nearly 10 years old, the graphics and soundtrack are absolutely top tier. Do not go into this game looking for a complex gaming experience - instead, go into it with an open mind and let Journey take you on an adventure that you may not forget for quite a while.
Score: 9/10