Alright, let my get this out. How in the world did I let this game slip me by? I am a HUGE nut for story driven games, and games that do something totally different and unique. Journey is one of those games!
Its minimalistic story couples together with PERFECTLY with a breathtaking world that is so full of atmosphere and wonder, I cant help but transcend my mind into its majesty even for a brief moment.
You start off as this unknown traveler who wonders up a desert hill. The very first thing that you see is a lone mountain in the distance with some mysterious light illuminating its peak. You instantly wish to see what is over there, thus begins an adventure that you will never forget...
This game is (for lack of a better word) captivating. You wonder through this paradise land that has been taken over by a desert. The ruins of some lost civilization scatter throughout the lands and teeter with mystery as you gaze upon them from a distance.
Journey is such a beautiful game! Come to think of it... Beautiful is not the right word to describe this... This. Thing! Majestic could be a good way to describe it. Absolutely everything oozes with detail and love. The world is so well crafted that you feel that this was not made by some human.
Everything from how the sand slushes around your feet, to how the light dances its colors in the grains is something to behold. I never expected a small title such as this to blow me away. It really is something that I will hold special in my heart.
As you wonder this world. You get a feeling that you may be the only surviving being around. Well you are not. Journey has a very interesting multiplayer system. As you wonder the world, you may encounter another player at some point! I meet mine while I was reviving some carpet like creatures. Right as I was on my way to the last one I saw a little dot in the distance. I raced over to see what it was--low and behold it was another me!
You have no means of communication besides a little chirp of music that gives off a good feeling of companionship. You will smile as you take on tasks together and make the adventure less lonely. You sort of get this feeling in your head; "I don't know who you are. But I am glad that you are with me!"
It all builds up to a climax that can spark one of the biggest emotional responses within you. Your feelings in question? This may test that. The sands come to life like an ocean while you surf with it and take in the surroundings and the glorious music. An ocean of sand that hides Majesty and wonder.
I can hardly believe that I am saying this. Journey is PERFECT! Yeah, you heard me. PERFECT! There is absolutely nothing wrong with this game other than it being around 2 hours long. Even with that short amount of time the game builds something in you that is pretty big.
Journey deserves the nominations for game of the year, as it has been acquiring lately. Never would have thought that something like this can be so amazing.
FINAL VERDICT: Journey gets an A+.
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