Journey Beta Impressions
Publisher Sony
Developer That Games Company
Platform PS3
Release Date 2011 TBC
A new game from That Game Company the team behind Flower comes another spectacular gaming experience. Set in a desert, normally a baron and colourless place is brought to life by the motion of the sand which at times is almost liquid like.
You control a robed character, using he left stick to move around and the right to control the camera. As you progress you unlock the ability to jump, your jumps are powered by a scarf that works as an energy bar, when fully lit you have the ability to almost fly for a tiny moment. The scarf can be upgraded at different points around the game by looking for white glowing orbs, collecting these extends the time in the air.
The circle button sends out a musical note or wordless shout as it’s called, that will interact with other game items. Small pieces of material float around you, when you hit them with the note they will charge and be attracted to you charging your jumping powers. They also can carry out a number of other roles such as directing you, or the larger pieces will unlock other items such as more pieces of cloth that gathers together to create bridges.
The music sets a very relaxing tone and as you glide down the side of a dune or float across a large expanse you really do fall into a semi hypnotic state of relaxing bliss. The motion of the sand, the visuals the sound all blend together beautifully.
Journey also has a co-op feature and you will bump into other players online for time to time. Players will enter one at a time, you cannot communicate with them other than using the musical note, but you can help each other out. When next to each other you will charge the other player. You can also follow the second player to find the correct route. This according to the developers is to just bring two people without names, gamertags scores or any of the usual trapping together and offer you the chance to simply help another person you will probably never meet again.
If the article above still seems a little vague don’t be alarmed it is simply because Journey is such an odd game that after playing through the beta a number of times I’m still none the wiser as to what is going on. All I know is that I really like it.
A welcome break from the usual gaming experiences of shooting and killing, and without the standard end game of high score points, or maps with set goals to go from A to B Journey comes as a welcome release, if a somewhat unnerving experience from the get go, all you have to go on is the assumption you must head towards the light in the distance. The rest is all part of the experience.
It took me right out of my comfort zone, when you realise you just do not have a clue what to do, but without needing the usual trappings of maps or goals it draws you right in which speaks volume for the design and concept.
Day 1 Purchase
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