As video gamers we are living in wonderful times. I guess few decades from now some child of the future will smirk at this as he waves away a hovering NPC hologram with a sweep of his hand. Still, we are privileged in this time, too – to witness the speed of progress, the giant leaps technology has taken since our first 8bit steps until today. Video games are beautiful and there are more and more special and weird gems surfacing as developers get bolder and the audiences grow.
Nonetheless, games or rather experiences such as Shadow of the Colossus, Limbo or Bastion are preciously rare. You really need to be on the lookout and it appears that we are actually in for another treat.
“Journey”, out this March 2012 on PS3 network, promises to be everything that can be expected of a true video game delicacy. Set in a strange desert world of soft pastels, its unique graphics and smooth effects are a sight for sore eyes. Like for Limbo, there is no music in Journey and the player is cast into a strange setting without preamble, without map, unaware of what the actual “goal” of his adventure might be. And so he starts traveling, ever forward, exploring and solving curious riddles on the way by aid of visual hints alone.
Maybe the most remarkable thing about Journey however, is that it’s actually played online – and there’s a real chance to meet other players in the middle of the desert. Strangers you will never know, strangers you cannot speak to and yet –
[…]The game is intended to make the player feel “small” and to give them a sense of awe about their surroundings. The co-op aspect of the game is intended to allow the players to feel a connection to other people through exploring with them, rather than talking to them or fighting them. [source]
With that bit of information, Journey has reached maximum appeal with me. It appears that for a while the folk at IGN struggled for words too trying to define what this game actually is, y’know definitions (the final IGN review is actually much better). No matter what you like to call it, an “acid trip” as suggested, a poetic experience, a mad ride – maybe the point about Journey is that there’s no “point”, other than that:
The journey is the point.
A title worthy of some attention, methinks. Now all I need is to borrow a PS3!
Oo, that must be due out really soon now. I’ve been wanting to play this since I first saw it demonstrated at a con last year. Really looking forwards to it.
It’s a very intriguing concept. I’m not the biggest fan of the platform, but releases like this one or also the upcoming Last Guardian really make me wish I had a PS!
I hope some bloggers will take this up for review.
It’s the sort of game I’d love, but without a PS3, I’m stuck. Alas. Maybe someone will pick up the idea for a PC port.
Myeah, one can only hope. =/
I would’ve liked to see this available for PC, via Steam or other. no info on that so far though.
That does look really interesting. I do own a PS3, but very few games. Maybe it’s time to pick up some new ones, this one included 🙂
Ohh lucky you! since it will be available via network download, it shouldn’t be too expensive either (if I’m not mistaken I saw 15$ somewhere).
That’s perfect! Just in my price range 😉
Lovely. I’ve been really enjoying the more abstract game experiences lately (To The Moon, Dear Esther) but also don’t have a console to play this one.
The player interaction reminds me of The Endless Forest, where everyone is trapped in the body of a deer essentially. But Journey seems to have a lot more gameplay to it.