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Journey |OT| Perfect Strangers

rataven

Member
Had an unforgettable journey last night. Might sound kind of cheesy, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! Wish now that I had sent him a thank you, but I guess it's not too late. SacredScythe, if you ever read this, it was a pleasure to journey with you :)
 

sloppyjoe_gamer

Gold Member
Do i have to get all the
glyphs (glowing thingies) in one playthrough for the trophy to unlock that i found them all
or can it be across multiple playthroughs?
 

Arthursw1

Member
This is a wonderful game; I played it last night with online connectivity turned off and it´s a totally differed experience, by the ending parts I was missing someone to share the trip with, I had blast from my previous two runs, now I’m doing some trophy hunting
 
Just finished playing and it was such a wonderful experience. The feeling of losing your companion is what survival horror designers should try to emulate from now on.

Thought it was polite to send them a message afterwards telling them that I had fun but it turns out the person I played with is Japanese. They did send me a reply in English though saying "thank you from japan". Would someone be willing to translate the first message they sent me?

ApPubuBCIAAXxwB.jpg:large

That's pretty fucking awesome. None of my companions had the patience to wait while I was looking around :(
 

i-Lo

Member
Is there a way to get the names on companions anywhere beside the temporary display of it on the game end screen?

Okay, so I just finished journey and I can understand why it is the highest selling PSN game in SCEA territory.

Before I started the game, I knew that so many loved it but I was a bit apprehensive because despite the emotional impact of the beautiful game, Flower, I couldn't finish it. I felt the pacing needed some work. After I started this game, oh boy, what a turn around. This has to be the best game from that studio to date and more importantly one of the best games in general.

I don't hand out scores but I'll part with adjectives:

1. Graphics (Technical): Adequate

2. Art style: Majestic, Alluring, Beautiful, Creative

3. Music: Evocative, Emotional, Exquisite

4. Pacing: (near) Perfect

5. Controls: Perfect

6. Platforming mechanics: Imaginative, Impressive

7. Story: Simplistic, All-Encompassing

All in all, it has been an absolute privilege to acquire this experience. At times, the emotions Journey evoked were not unlike the ones I felt when I played SoTC for the first time.
 
So I just bought this game and beat it.

This is the absolute best experience I've ever had playing a videogame!

Soo beautiful!

Also, my fellow companion drew a heart in the sand at the end :)

And I never thought I'd say any of this about a videogame ever!



For those who are debating, get it. It is the best $15 I have spent in a long while!
 

Chrysalis

Member
Obligatory I-beat-it-and-OMG-WOW Post:

Still would have liked it a lot offline, but it's amazing how much of my enjoyment came from the other players.

Spoiler for specifics to my story:
Like some of the others I encountered another traveler with a long and lustrous ribbon. This didn't happen until about halfway through, so I had the experience first of trial-and-error with some less experienced and less patient travelers. When I met this fellow of magnificent plumage, he carried me to the end. I had been wounded by my first encounter with the machines, and needed a guiding hand. But then we came to the final lair of the machines, and one spotted me. I dove into the hiding place where my fellow traveler was already tucked away; I did not realize that in doing so I was endangering him. Bruised, beaten, still he stayed by my side. Together, we reached the summit.

Usually I scoff at "player-driven" storytelling. I like complex, carefully plotted stories. But here the devs provided the right tools to make player-driven stories compelling and inevitable. GOTY.
 

Misguided

Banned
What?

Subjective = Relating to personal opinion, experience, perspective
Objective = Truth, confirmed by multiple sources, universal

Also, all criticism and reception of video games is subjective.

Not quite. If a mechanic does not function correctly, i.e. the jump button only works half of the time, is it not an objective thing to say that the game is not good?
 
Oh man. I got so attached to my little companion. :'( I thought he didn't make it in the end, but when I saw him again I was beaming. We both spammed the circle button in joy. :'( We looked out for each other from beginning to end. :'(
 

i-Lo

Member
I think the online system took the best from one of my other favs, Demon Souls. With such simplicity in the method of communication and deliberate air of mystery created by hiding all possible avenues of identification of the companion, it breaks behaviour down to finding common ground and following thy instinct which suggests cooperation being the one and only method prevail.

So little yet so much. Just beautiful.
 

Papercuts

fired zero bullets in the orphanage.
I think the online system took the best from one of my other favs, Demon Souls. With such simplicity in the method of communication and deliberate air of mystery created by hiding all possible avenues of identification of the companion, it breaks behaviour down to finding common ground and following thy instinct which suggests cooperation being the one and only method prevail.

So little yet so much. Just beautiful.

I spent the latter half of the game with no companion and never found another despite my online being fine, so I can't say I'm very found of it. I like the idea in theory atleast.
 

i-Lo

Member
I spent the latter half of the game with no companion and never found another despite my online being fine, so I can't say I'm very found of it. I like the idea in theory atleast.

Stick with it and do multiple runs. There is no uniformity or absolute certainty to finding a companion and that luck of the draw is a part of the package.
 
Just finished it in a single run. Pretty cool, but I wasn't left with the emotional response at the end that I had with Flower, Shadow of the Colossus or Ico. But the co-op is such a cool concept. I'll definitely be taking more journeys just to get with other players. And the music - wonderful.
 

Imm0rt4l

Member
Just finished playing and it was such a wonderful experience. The feeling of losing your companion is what survival horror designers should try to emulate from now on.

Thought it was polite to send them a message afterwards telling them that I had fun but it turns out the person I played with is Japanese. They did send me a reply in English though saying "thank you from japan". Would someone be willing to translate the first message they sent me?

ApPubuBCIAAXxwB.jpg:large

That's awfully nice. Anyone know how this game has been received/sold in Japan?
 

Ravage

Member
Oh man. I got so attached to my little companion. :'( I thought he didn't make it in the end, but when I saw him again I was beaming. We both spammed the circle button in joy. :'( We looked out for each other from beginning to end. :'(

This happened to me too T.T

I sincerely hope that most people experienced this at least once and realise just how much untapped emotional potential the game medium has yet to unravel.
 
Wow. 5th playthrough and it still got me. ;_;

Someone with a
white robe
showed me all the secrets and the tcg easter eggs.

Now im part of
WhiteRobe
-GAF. Feels goodman.
 

leroidys

Member
Probably going to finally pick this up sometime this week.


Have the developers commented on 3D at all? It's really disappointing the game doesn't include it...
 

TTP

Have a fun! Enjoy!
Probably going to finally pick this up sometime this week.


Have the developers commented on 3D at all? It's really disappointing the game doesn't include it...

no 3D. They said engine is too busy displaying the awesomeness in 2D already.
 

dosh

Member
is this online only or is there a single player mode too?

This is not exactly how it works, there are no separate solo and online modes. If you agreed to the therms of service at the beginning, you'll meet someone along the way. If you didn't, you'll be playing all by yourself.
By the way, no need to disconnect from PSN in order to play alone: just go back to terms of servcie, don't agree and you'll be playing offline.
 
Felt like completing a game in one sitting last night so I decided to pick this up... What an experience!! When the camera turns side-ways and the screen starts to turn gold during the sand surfing part blew me away!!

I loved the ending too - really felt the struggle of the climb! I didnt really know much about the game either before I bought it, I though the other people in the game were AI teaching me how to do things!! It was only during the credits that I realised that they were other players... Feel bad for ditching them at points now :(
 

rdrr gnr

Member
I haven't read too much of this thread, but I'm probably not alone in my sentiment. Did anyone else feel as though your partner took away from the experience a little bit? I could tell right away that my partner was way more experienced than I was. He kept waiting for me and leading me to those golden things that extended the length of my scarf. It wasn't in a pressuring or condescending manner (if those emotions are even possible to convey), but I still felt as though I was hampering his experience.
He even distracted that giant enemy with lights -- allowing me to pass through with ease.
I know that his intent was to be this kind anonymous player, but that didn't alter my thinking. I wanted to explore, but didn't want to waste his time. I wanted to err, but not come off as an idiot. And your outfit changes the more you play? I feel as though that goes against the game's philosophy (unless I'm missing something). I would have loved to invite a close friend, but still not be able to communicate with him. If there have been posts discussing this, or a particular review that addressed it, please link me.

Aside from that, I didn't enjoy that final level. I wish the movement was a little more fluid without having to activate scarf-power.

That being said, still one of the best games I've played this year.

Edit: Please excuse the issues with my grammatical voice. Long day. Tired.
 
This is not exactly how it works, there are no separate solo and online modes. If you agreed to the therms of service at the beginning, you'll meet someone along the way. If you didn't, you'll be playing all by yourself.
By the way, no need to disconnect from PSN in order to play alone: just go back to terms of servcie, don't agree and you'll be playing offline.

That's really useful to know and maybe should be put in the OP. I really enjoyed the co-op and was fine to go along for the ride, but next play through I want to do a solo effort and explore a bit more.
 

EGM1966

Member
Not quite. If a mechanic does not function correctly, i.e. the jump button only works half of the time, is it not an objective thing to say that the game is not good?

Yes you're right. The criteria are softer but clearly there are objective elements you can consider in a game - such as controls. Clearly some games feature better controls or better designed levels or are technically more sound (i.e. less or even no bugs) so evaluating videogames isn't 100% subjective.
 

sinky72

Member
I so adore this game. 3rd play through last night and it even topped the previous two which were great. This time I playing through the majority with someone else, including finishing it. As powerful as the ending is being alone, I felt it was even greater when you were with someone.
All the way through, if one of us went to far ahead or didn't make a jump then the other just waited for them. There were a couple of occasions where I thought I'd either lost them or they had left but thankfully the little voice/ chirp coud be heard and we could carry on together :) .
It's so refreshing playing a mp where no one can act like an arse, spout crap and generally spoil the game or the experience. All this and you know absolutely nothing about them.

Saying it now, this will be my GOTY
 

sinky72

Member
£9.99 in UK and last around 2 hours ( give or take a bit) it may sound like a lot for the time but it really is more than worth it and I personally feel if it lasted any longer I don't think it would have made such impact it made on me.
 

Donos

Member
Amazing. I want this. How long is it and how much does it cost on PSN?

around 2 hours long but that is good because you should play it in one sitting. perfect length. PSN cost depends on your region. 12.99€ and i think 15$. And it's not only good for one playthrough.
 

Lime

Member
Wow. Just finished it. Journey pretty much defines what Schiller was talking about when referring to the concept of beauty.

DAT. SOUNDTRACK.
 
I haven't read too much of this thread, but I'm probably not alone in my sentiment. Did anyone else feel as though your partner took away from the experience a little bit? I could tell right away that my partner was way more experienced than I was. He kept waiting for me and leading me to those golden things that extended the length of my scarf. It wasn't in a pressuring or condescending manner (if those emotions are even possible to convey), but I still felt as though I was hampering his experience.
He even distracted that giant enemy with lights -- allowing me to pass through with ease.
I know that his intent was to be this kind anonymous player, but that didn't alter my thinking. I wanted to explore, but didn't want to waste his time. I wanted to err, but not come off as an idiot. And your outfit changes the more you play? I feel as though that goes against the game's philosophy (unless I'm missing something). I would have loved to invite a close friend, but still not be able to communicate with him. If there have been posts discussing this, or a particular review that addressed it, please link me.

Aside from that, I didn't enjoy that final level. I wish the movement was a little more fluid without having to activate scarf-power.

That being said, still one of the best games I've played this year.

Edit: Please excuse the issues with my grammatical voice. Long day. Tired.

You're thinking about it all wrong man. He was using his experience to help you out, and he was happy to do it.
 

Drencrom

Member
Companions met along the way:

SenatorJoeBiden

HNWLM.gif


Btw, have anyone summed up/interpreted the story? I get that those
flying stone creatures destroyed that civilization, but why
? Also, that
glyph
in the
temple tower area
shows that
one of red people 'powered' that tower or something like that
.

I love it when you discover more details on new playthroughs.
 
You're thinking about it all wrong man. He was using his experience to help you out, and he was happy to do it.

But MuseManMike probably wasn't. I can relate to the sentiment. Having someone waiting for you and pointing out stuff can put pressure on you. Luckily, my first playthrough was with inexperienced people and my second with a white cloak. Both playthroughs felt absolutely right.
 

calder

Member
Companions met along the way:

SenatorJoeBiden

HNWLM.gif


Btw, have anyone summed/interpreted the story? I get that those
flying stone creatures destroyed that civilization but I don't get why
? Also, that
glyph
in the
temple tower area
shows that
one of red creatures 'powered' that tower or something like that
.

I love it when you discover more details on new playthroughs.

Yeah the details are awesome and so subtle.

My brief take on the story the cutscenes tell you:
there is a civilization based on the use of 'magic' cloth and the ability to form the cloth into various useful things like clothing to let you fly etc. The source of this magic is the huge mountain, and over time a religion unsurprisingly builds up around the mountain and people start going on pilgrimages there. You can see the giant roads built to take pilgrims to the mountain, and the cities that spring up as well as the giant machines the civilization builds.

At some point people start fighting over access to the mountain (the war you see on the scroll) and the two sides create machines of war - the dragons that both destroy the magic cloth creatures and ultimately lead the to the fall of the civilization. Now, amid the ruined cities and dangerous dragons, you are looking to complete the now very dangerous pilgrimage to the mountain. Perhaps it wasn't always this way, but now getting to the summit will be your death, so maybe it's only a journey that is undertaken by the remnants of the dead civilization at the end of their lives. Either way, you make it to the mountain and die on the slopes, at which point your soul communes with the souls of the people who have been there before you - the white cloaks. You see the mountain above the mountain (no snow, and the cloth creatures frolic surrounded by endless energy) and, one with the magic of the place, you take the last steps into the light. Hopefully with a friend.

Well, that's what I took out of it after my second or third complete playthrough. :D
 

Tilian

Banned
Yeah the details are awesome and so subtle.

My brief take on the story the cutscenes tell you:
there is a civilization based on the use of 'magic' cloth and the ability to form the cloth into various useful things like clothing to let you fly etc. The source of this magic is the huge mountain, and over time a religion unsurprisingly builds up around the mountain and people start going on pilgrimages there. You can see the giant roads built to take pilgrims to the mountain, and the cities that spring up as well as the giant machines the civilization builds.

At some point people start fighting over access to the mountain (the war you see on the scroll) and the two sides create machines of war - the dragons that both destroy the magic cloth creatures and ultimately lead the to the fall of the civilization. Now, amid the ruined cities and dangerous dragons, you are looking to complete the now very dangerous pilgrimage to the mountain. Perhaps it wasn't always this way, but now getting to the summit will be your death, so maybe it's only a journey that is undertaken by the remnants of the dead civilization at the end of their lives. Either way, you make it to the mountain and die on the slopes, at which point your soul communes with the souls of the people who have been there before you - the white cloaks. You see the mountain above the mountain (no snow, and the cloth creatures frolic surrounded by endless energy) and, one with the magic of the place, you take the last steps into the light. Hopefully with a friend.

Well, that's what I took out of it after my second or third complete playthrough. :D

That's more or less what I thought. One thing I'm not clear on though:
Following the war and the decline of white cloak civilization, the second generation of people seem to appear, now distinguished by brown cloaks. It looks like the mountain directly intervened and sent them directly, in contrast to the first generation that developed alongside birds and animals. Why? Are you just meant to emulate the pilgrimage tradition? Does this somehow fix things? It seems that the detailed paintings, and the intervention of the elder white cloaks as guides, suggests some sort of logic. EDIT: or, more simply, what's the difference in colour to the story?
 

Anuxinamoon

Shaper Divine
Just finished it last night! What an amazing experience. I was playing and my husband was watching, I was doing a commentary of what I thought the story was trying to say. We were both really impressed.
 
Bought this on Thursday and finally played it tonight. This is my first run but I found it interesting how invested I became in the companionship when we got separated at some point. I was actually a bit sad thinking they disconnected or something but then met with them again and played through to the end. Fantastic experience.
 
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