Journey

A beautiful, emotional, minimalist journey full of wonder and heartbreak.

92%Game Brain Score

music, story

optimization, grinding

93% User Score Based on 20,916 reviews

Critic Score 91%Based on 20 reviews

Platforms

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About

Journey is a single player and multiplayer action game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by thatgamecompany and was released on June 11, 2020. It received very positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Journey Collector's Edition" is a compilation of three games: Journey, flOw, and Flower. Journey is a single-player or 2-player cooperative platformer where players traverse a beautiful, mysterious landscape. The edition includes bonus content such as a behind-the-scenes documentary, creator commentary, mini-games, concept art, soundtracks, and more. It offers a unique and immersive experience, perfect for players of all ages.

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,916 reviews

music2.1k positive mentions

optimization36 negative mentions

music
3,574 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The music in *Journey*, composed by Austin Wintory, is widely praised for its emotional depth and seamless integration with the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. Players describe the soundtrack as hauntingly beautiful, meditative, and capable of evoking strong feelings, making it a central element of the game's narrative. Despite some reports of technical issues with the music in the PC version, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a masterpiece that significantly contributes to the game's artistic impact.
- “The music in the background gives this game hella good vibes.”
- “The stunning visuals and mesmerizing landscapes feel alive, while the ethereal soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional depth of the experience.”
- “Austin Wintory did a phenomenal job creating this soundtrack, from the beautiful opening with Nascence to the transcending Apotheosis every track here is amazing.”
- “The graphics aren't as great anymore, the music isn't memorable and the journey is short, took me an hour and a half, which is closer to a stroll after dinner.”
- “Musical transitions are sometimes awkward or, in the pink desert especially, are just glitched to play weird static.”
- “The most disappointing are music and sound errors, because of the important role that music plays in the narrative of this game.”
story
3,120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
64%
3%
The story of *Journey* is conveyed entirely through visual and auditory elements, with no dialogue or written text, allowing players to interpret the narrative in their own way. Many reviewers highlight the emotional depth and beauty of the story, which revolves around themes of companionship, exploration, and the cyclical nature of life, as players traverse a stunning landscape towards a distant mountain. While some find the story vague or simplistic, others appreciate its ability to evoke strong feelings and personal reflections, making it a unique and memorable experience.
- “It captures a sense of wonder with a simple yet profound story that draws you in without a single word spoken.”
- “The story is told silently and through visuals and environmentally via the world you make your way through.”
- “Journey is a unique and poetic game that tells a beautiful story without words at all.”
- “Because the story is very cryptic, I was very dissociated from it.”
- “What some see as an emotional, deep experience, I see as shallow and lacking commitment by its designers to a clear plot or narrative.”
- “The story is vague, and due to there being no dialogue at all, takes some thought to interpret.”
graphics
2,628 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The graphics of *Journey* are widely praised for their stunning beauty and artistic design, with many players noting that the visuals remain breathtaking even years after its initial release. The game's unique art style, combined with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the emotional experience. While some players mention minor graphical issues and a dated feel in certain aspects, the overall consensus is that the visuals are a key highlight, making the game a must-play for those who appreciate artistic expression in gaming.
- “The score is amazing in-game (hearing apotheosis as you hit the summit gave me chills), the graphics are absolutely beautiful, and the gameplay is engaging and memorable without being too hard or repetitive.”
- “Graphics are stunning, so beautiful how the sunlight gets reflected from the sand while you surf the desert dunes.”
- “It's literally art in game form, the visuals are so lovely even 12 years later, and the soundtrack has always been gorgeous.”
- “It's a bit dated in the movement, graphics and camera style.”
- “The graphics aren't as great anymore, the music isn't memorable and the journey is short, took me an hour and a half, which is closer to a stroll after dinner.”
- “However, players will encounter a few moments of graphical lag.”
gameplay
2,028 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay of *Journey* is characterized by its simplicity and minimalism, primarily involving walking, gliding, and limited interaction with the environment and other players. While many players appreciate the game's emotional depth and stunning visuals, others find the gameplay lacking in challenge and complexity, often describing it as a walking simulator with little replay value. The unique multiplayer mechanic, where players can connect with strangers through non-verbal communication, adds a layer of emotional engagement, but the overall experience may not satisfy those seeking traditional gameplay elements or a robust narrative.
- “The score is amazing in-game (hearing apotheosis as you hit the summit gave me chills), the graphics are absolutely beautiful, and the gameplay is engaging and memorable without being too hard or repetitive.”
- “From the beautiful art, to the incredibly smooth and intuitive (yet amazingly deep) flight physics and mechanics, Journey is a perfect game.”
- “The gameplay, visuals, music, and the multiplayer came together to form a masterful crescendo that made me burst with emotions.”
- “At the end of the day, $14.99 for 90 minutes of gameplay with limited replay value is not something I can recommend, even if you have a more positive experience with the co-op than I did.”
- “Zero gameplay, just running.”
- “There just isn't very much gameplay, effectively no puzzles, and 'stealth' is just 'wait your turn'; the majority of the game is just holding forward and waiting.”
emotional
1,714 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Journey" is widely praised, with players describing it as a profound and moving experience that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sadness. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create deep emotional connections with companions, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, particularly at the end. The combination of stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and minimalist storytelling allows players to engage with the game on a deeply personal level, making it a unique and unforgettable emotional journey.
- “Made friends along the way that I will never see again and nothing makes me more emotional than that.”
- “The stunning visuals and mesmerizing landscapes feel alive, while the ethereal soundtrack perfectly complements the emotional depth of the experience.”
- “Overall, 'Journey' is not just a game but an emotional experience that lingers long after the credits roll, making it a must-play for anyone seeking a profound narrative and artistic expression in video gaming.”
- “I can see why people would love it, but it made me feel so incredibly lonely and sad.”
atmosphere
830 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
28%
1%
The atmosphere of "Journey" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive world, creating a serene and emotional experience that resonates deeply with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to convey a rich narrative without dialogue, relying instead on its artistic design and sound to evoke feelings of wonder and companionship. While some critiques mention a lack of gameplay depth, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is its strongest asset, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric and exploratory gaming.
- “The stunning visuals, accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful score, create an immersive atmosphere that evokes a sense of wonder and solitude.”
- “The atmosphere it presents by the cinematography is perfected by the gorgeous soundtrack.”
- “Journey is one of the most atmospheric, beautiful, and poignant games I've ever played.”
- “This game is beautiful and well-crafted, but the atmosphere lacks substance.”
- “Unfortunately, Journey has almost nothing to offer in terms of environment and atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere regularly feels forced rather than natural (simply missed the mark for me; maybe because of feeling impeded, dismantled, or view-locked).”
replayability
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
7%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its short playtime of around 1-2 hours, which limits traditional replay value. However, several reviews highlight the potential for replayability through achievements, hidden secrets, and the unique experiences offered by multiplayer interactions. While some players find it endlessly replayable due to its emotional depth and the joy of connecting with others, others feel it lacks substantial content for multiple playthroughs.
- “Despite the short gameplay, the replayability is amazing.”
- “Of course, it begs to be played again and again, to be explored better, to meet other people, to complete the achievements, and honestly being about one hour long adds to replayability; it's not a 20-hour commitment.”
- “Total replayability and a true magical experience!”
- “The game is also incredibly short and has little replay value.”
- “I paid £8.54 for a 2 hour game with no replayability!”
- “It was just 'walk to this, do this, walk to this, do that, the end.' 2 hours to play through and no replay value whatsoever.”
optimization
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
43%
32%
The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs, crashes, and poor performance on PC, particularly when compared to its console version. While some players experienced smooth gameplay on high-end rigs, others faced stuttering, high CPU usage, and unresponsive controls, indicating a lack of proper porting and optimization for the platform. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game is not well-optimized for PC, detracting from the overall experience.
- “It's incredibly well optimized and is truly beautiful.”
- “To start, this game is breathtaking; it runs smoothly and the controls are reactive.”
- “The performance on this game left nothing to desire.”
- “This game is a work of art but the PC version is very poorly optimized.”
- “It's a real shame, considering Journey is a must-play, probably on other systems, and is deserving of its GOTY accolades, but all of that is marred by terrible optimization, at least on Steam.”
- “This game is not optimized by any means and what you remember it looking like on the PS3 will only tarnish your memory upon booting it up on your PC.”
grinding
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
14%
77%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and unengaging, with many players expressing frustration over slow movement and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the artistic elements and occasional engaging moments, the consensus is that the gameplay can feel monotonous, especially for those who do not enjoy exploration or farming mechanics. Overall, the game may not appeal to players seeking a more dynamic or challenging experience.
- “Achievements are not very grindy; I got 100% by playing with other people (who also showed me some achievement spots).”
- “They aren't tedious and go by fairly fast, and everything about the game is so beautiful that you almost don't even mind, but it's something I wish I'd known going in.”
- “Yeah, that's not tedious at all.”
- “Sky: CotL was a beautiful experience, but once it had been completely experienced, gameplay descends into constant MMO grinding for cool cosmetics, and I've since forgotten what made that game special in the first place.”
- “The game spends a lot of time presenting fun mechanics (flying and surfing) before yanking them away from the player, back to much more boring and tedious sections of gameplay.”
- “Journey is great from an artistic point of view, it has a beautiful use of aesthetics, lighting, and sound, the game connects these three things well, but if you're looking at it from a gameplay point of view, it's pretty boring, tedious, short, and definitely not worth the price.”
humor
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as light-hearted and whimsical, with players finding joy in the quirky interactions and silly mechanics, such as face-planting and communicating through sounds. Many reviews highlight the amusing moments shared with companions, the endearing design of characters, and the overall playful atmosphere that makes the experience enjoyable and memorable. The game elicits laughter through its charming visuals and unexpected features, creating a delightful blend of humor and emotional depth.
- “There is a silly feature that allows you to face plant into the ground and remain on the ground, which is absolutely hilarious.”
- “Randomly encountering people in the game without anything more to communicate than weird bell sounds is actually funny.”
- “Shortest and sweetest game I've played yet, quite the journey tho... do ya get it, because the game's called Journey and I said quite the journey, did ya get it... because the game is called Journey and it was quite the journey and it's funny because......... [b]you're still reading this dumbass review?”
stability
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
3%
89%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches, particularly in the PC port. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without issues, others noted significant performance problems, including audio glitches and frame rate drops. Overall, the game appears to be unoptimized and prone to technical difficulties, detracting from the overall experience.
- “Beautiful graphics, no glitches on my run, beautiful atmosphere, excellent port over to PC and a joy to play.”
- “Runs great on Linux.”
- “Runs great for me.”
- “Technically, the game is also not very good: it is buggy, unoptimized, sometimes crashes, and the control settings contain only a choice from a pair of predefined control layouts and do not allow you to create a new one yourself.”
- “This is a bad broken buggy mess.”
- “There's no reason for the constant sub-60 dips, the stutters, and the weird audio glitches where sound sometimes cuts off at random.”
character development
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
42%
8%
Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through minimalist and charming character designs that enhance the overall visual experience. Players engage with the narrative and worldbuilding through their own interpretations, as the journey itself serves as a means of character growth rather than a focus on individual backstories. The use of glyphs for character development further enriches the exploration of themes related to the journey and the fallen civilization.
- “It is an amazing game with incredible visuals, a story left to your interpretation, amazing worldbuilding and character designs, and a journey with a fellow traveler you'll never forget.”
- “The mysterious character design, the reason for going on the journey, the background story, and the reason behind the fallen civilization; you somehow get the answers to these questions through your own interpretation.”
- “The character development system uses glyphs scattered around levels.”
- “The character design is very minimalist, which I find appropriate since the game was less for me about who I was as the character, and more about the experience of the journey I was going on.”
- “This, in a way, is character development for Scarfchild, which is done entirely through the player's own journey to the top.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
10%
80%
The monetization strategy for games like *Journey* and its successor *Sky* has drawn mixed reviews, with some players criticizing *Sky* for its reliance on season passes and in-app purchases, which they feel detracts from the experience. While *Journey* is praised for its atmospheric gameplay and honest advertising, it is also seen as a cash grab in its PC port, leading to disappointment among fans who expected more from the developers. Overall, there is a sentiment that successful games can thrive without aggressive monetization tactics.
- “2020 - Basically the mobile version of Journey with in-app purchases.”
- “I think they make this better in Sky, their Android game, but it's riddled with a season pass and needless grind traversing through the same maps over and over again for seasoned players while helping out other children in the game. It's still wholesome and probably the only sustainable business model anymore in terms of a game that was the divine feel like Journey or Sky for a company like Thatgamecompany.”
- “Although I recommend it, this game is much less than you expect from that 'awards' advertising.”
- “Cash grab garbage.”
- “This game has been half-heartedly ported for PC as a cash grab.”