Journey Appreciation Post
Over this past weekend I watched a "Let's Play" version of the video game Journey. I heard a lot about it when it first came out last year and was curious. The game isn't that long it tops out at about three hours of play, but makes up for its short time with vivid details. I mean this game is a design masterpiece. It's so beautiful and I highly recommend watching someone else play, that way you can enjoy all the sumptuous details.
The image above is an actual point in the game where you slide across waves of sand. It's gorgeous attention to detail never misses a beat and makes Journey come across more as a visual art rather than a game. What makes Journey stand out against its competition is that you play as a silent robed figure traveling across a seemingly never ending desert to climb to the top of the mountain that always appears to loom on the horizon. Journey thrives on its attention to detail. As a person goes through the game, the landscape changes and adapts. It gives the game an overall organic appearance that feels lost in other digital games.
Another aspect that truly revolutionizes this game is the overall story. The never ending Journey is a larger metaphor for life. Your playable character is a quiet figure that knows little about the world around it at the beginning of the game. As they travel and learn they grow until they reach their enlightenment, or death at the very top of the mountain. Journey is a game with no words, just beautiful accompaniment and the best part is you can play with others, but never know who they are. Your character appears so small against its expansive background and having someone to travel with almost sets you at ease against the loneliness of silence.
All in all Journey transcends the game category and evolves into an experience of life and the beauty of this other post apocalyptic world. I hope one day that I can actually play it myself and enjoy the gameplay part of this visual story.
You should also check out Bastion! I haven't played Journey (really need to though) but I thought the art style of Bastion was beautiful too. It also has a really great soundtrack, which I think works well together with the visuals to create a really awesome experience. Also, Machinarium (I think that's how you spell it). I looooove the art in Machinarium. The level of detail in everything is great. :)
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