“Journey” is a PS3 exclusive that won numerous awards. It also has the honor of being the first video game ever nominated for a Grammy. While the hype surrounding “Journey” is deserved, it’s a difficult game to put into words.
In the opening sequence, all you see is your character and a vast desert. There’s something in the distance that you can’t quite make out. Once you begin on your journey, amazing experiences start happening. With no combat, weapons, or direction, the game relies on the player’s instincts. Always striving to get to the distant spot over the next hill is a constant.
From the beautiful landscapes to the strange “singing” your character does, there’s always something to be discovered. However, the best part of “Journey” isn’t exploring or completing levels. For me, it was the presence of another player.
I’m a not a big fan of online multiplayer. I prefer single player campaigns to jumping into Horde mode. “Journey” approaches multiplayer in a completely different way. As long as your PS3 is connected to the Internet, another player can join your game. The interesting thing is, you don’t know who they are, or if they’re even on your friends list. The second player silently explores “Journey” with you. There really is no direct interaction. This is a pleasant way to experience the game with another person. You don’t have to worry about spawn kills or cheating. These things simply don’t exist in “Journey.”
While the game is fairly short, it does have replay value. There’s trophies to collect and probably places in the levels you didn’t notice the first time around. If you game to relax, “Journey” is the perfect experience.
“Journey” might not be for everyone, and at first you’ll be confused about what you have to do. However, if you trust your instincts and just play, you’ll find a unique and rewarding experience.
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