3.5/5 ★ – JetDusk's review of Journey.

I’ll start by saying this was an enjoyable experience. The setting and art were stellar, with the musical touches adding a lot to many of the moments of wonder. This is a game I’ve been recommended constantly, and it’s only now I finally gave it a shot. I have always been aware of this game as one of the big reasons for why video games should be considered art, which is a statement I must disagree with. Video games take a lot of effort from multiple people involved, even if only one person could do it over a long period of time, and that makes any game that’s released a small miracle. Good or bad, it’s not easy to craft a project like this, and since movies are considered art, I don’t understand why there’s even a debate to begin with. They’ve always been art, no matter how trashy or magnificent the game is. So with that out of the way, I don’t want to undermine the work that went into this game. Sure, you can beat it in less than an hour, but that doesn’t detract from the effort that goes into everything. They crafted a world, they made your character move and float, they had to code AI for the creatures in this game. I would say this game has plenty of potential to be a fulfilling experience for anyone. Sadly, I didn’t get much out of this game that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I understand this game is put on a pedestal since it’s really easy to get into without much explanation. But I expected this game to have something truly special from how it’s been described to me. I won’t deny this was a special experience for many people, but I won’t lie and say it gave me a new perspective on life and changed me more than any other game that’s really important to me. I was constantly reminded of Shadow of the Colossus while I played this, from the architecture to the near emptiness of the world. No, Journey didn’t steal from Shadow of the Colossus, they have an entirely different mood and story that they’re both trying to portray. What I love about SotC is how gameplay is directly integrated into the plot, and how that impacted me emotionally. What I’m saying is, Journey definitely has the potential to affect others, it just didn’t find that place with me. I will say that’s it’s impressive they still have servers running for this game. The first time around I didn’t see anyone while I played, but my second adventure involved a complete stranger showing me a lot of hidden areas and a bit of fun mischief. I certainly enjoyed that experience a lot more, and I’m glad I was still able to have it. As a closing statement, this is all just my opinion and I don’t think the game is bad. I recommend everyone play it just to see if it clicks. It’s short enough to work in on a break and expansive enough you spend hours exploring with friends. As another example of where I’m coming from, one of my favorite games that affected me was Devil May Cry 3. As ridiculous as that game is, the relationship between two estranged brothers is incredibly powerful in the story and during gameplay. I consider it to be one of, if not the best prequel ever made in ANY media. I enjoy all kinds of art, and whether it’s affected you or not all depends on your own experiences and whether or not a piece of art can help you better understand the world or yourself.