From the very beginning, the game's plot is a mystery. We don’t really know what the journey is about or if it has any specific goal. Everything is revealed as we go along, with only a mysterious character, strange platforms, and an endless desert visible on the screen. The only words in the entire game are in the menu and control instructions. The story is discovered through stunning visuals and animations, created with great artistry, which immerse us in the feeling of being a true traveler and explorer.
The Journey never bores you, even though it is quite short, yet perfectly conveys the narrative layer to the player. Gameplay is essentially the journey itself. Our character collects golden confetti-like elements, which are used to extend the scarf wrapped around their neck to perform longer jumps and reach... well, where exactly? Perhaps the mountain peak seen somewhere in the distance? We learn this at the very end, and I assure you, it is worth it! This enigma around the game captivates from the start. It’s not the gameplay—walking and jumping—that thrills, but the immense mystery. We seemingly do the same thing, wandering through the desert (and beyond), yet we deeply want to discover what lies at the end of the road.
If the mystery wasn’t enough, I must add that players can connect with others and travel the desert sands together. As you might expect, they cannot communicate with words, only gestures. You cannot bypass the system by voice chatting with your companion because you don’t even know their nickname. This kind of game is an extraordinary experience focused on shared purpose. Your partner will not curse you or call you a "noob," but instead will add a new layer to this wonderful fairy tale.
Journey demonstrates an innovative approach in gaming. Another game by the same creator, Abzû, followed its path, immersing us in the depths of the ocean.
Recently, while writing about games as art, I felt a bit ashamed for having overlooked The Journey. Especially since I mentioned that art, in my view, is the perfect combination of graphic, narrative, and sound layers. This fairy tale looks stunning. Its vibrant, golden color palette provides the player with an incredible aesthetic experience. There are basically two landscapes—sand and one more, which I encourage you to discover on your own—yet they are presented in an extraordinary way.
The music perfectly builds an atmosphere that is simply majestic in this game! The title may not be for everyone since everyone seeks something different from games. But a lover of good cinema cannot pass by Journey indifferently. Silent cinema that builds emotions, fascinates, provokes thought, stimulates imagination, and finally moves you.
I guarantee that everyone who embarks on this journey will not forget it for a long time and perhaps will want to set out again. The theme of the road, the theater of colors, audiovisual genius... On one hand, there is great curiosity to reach the goal, and on the other, a desire to savor this world.
Umberto Eco said, “Those who read books live twice.” Here, it is similar. For a while, we forget the entire world to embody this extraordinary character, with whom the player experiences not just the journey, but all its emotions.
