Journey To The Center Of The Earth
- September 8, 2014
- insayn_games
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreJourney to the Center of the Earth is a 2D platformer about exploring giant caves and dying of thirst. Based on the Jules Verne novel, players control three adventurers with unique powers and have to make their way through 18 expansive levels, solve puzzles, avoid traps and find the well hidden secret at the center of the Earth.
Mac OS
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Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic platforming experience with interesting puzzles and a unique mechanic of controlling three characters with different abilities.
- The atmosphere of exploring dark caves filled with glowing crystals is magical and engaging, providing a sense of adventure.
- Despite its flaws, the game can be enjoyable for casual gamers and is accessible due to its low system requirements and free availability.
- The graphics and overall presentation feel dated and lack polish, making the game visually unappealing compared to modern titles.
- Gameplay can be frustrating due to bugs, awkward controls, and a lack of a proper save system, leading to repetitive and tedious experiences.
- The puzzles often rely on trial and error, which can become tedious, and the character mechanics may feel cumbersome for some players.
- graphics34 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players finding them outdated or simplistic, particularly in comparison to modern standards. While some appreciate the cute and quaint art style reminiscent of old PC games, others criticize the visuals as bland or unappealing, suggesting a need for updates. Overall, the graphics are described as passable but lacking the polish expected in contemporary titles.
“I think the graphics are pretty cute, kind of like something I might see in an illustrated storybook.”
“Old-school looks with better graphics.”
“The rotation mechanic adds a cool dimension to the puzzles and the Norse themes, and overall the art style makes the game stand out for me.”
“Journey to a less disgusting to look at art style (the devs did not do that journey)”
“Horrible game and bad graphics”
“Visuals and sounds are as basic as can be (though that shouldn't come as a surprise if you checked the screens on this page).”
- gameplay27 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a classic 2D puzzle platformer featuring three characters with unique abilities, which adds an interesting layer of strategy. However, many players find the mechanics to be dated, with some describing the gameplay as repetitive, boring, or frustrating due to control issues. While there are positive notes on the smoothness and challenge of the puzzles, overall, the gameplay experience is mixed, with a significant number of players feeling it lacks engagement and depth.
“The gameplay is very smooth; I found no lag or glitches in the texture.”
“The gameplay is that of a classic 2D puzzle platformer, and having three characters to control, each with a different set of skills, is an interesting challenge.”
“Really cool game with the three characters mechanic; sometimes the jumps can be frustrating, but the difficulty spike is good enough to bring quite an enjoyable adventure.”
“While it provides a basic platforming experience with simple puzzles and exploration, some players may find its mechanics and presentation to be somewhat dated compared to more modern titles.”
“It's sort of difficult, but only because its gameplay is wonky.”
“The gameplay does not 'grab' the gamer; it's not compelling.”
- story21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally viewed as interesting and engaging, with some players appreciating its moral themes and character journeys. However, criticisms arise regarding its lack of originality and depth, with some feeling that the narrative elements are underdeveloped or anticlimactic. Overall, while the story has potential, it often falls short of expectations due to familiar tropes and execution issues.
“Having a good storyline is just one of the many positive things about this game.”
“The game's storyline is very interesting and makes the game fun.”
“The story/puzzle portion of the game was done pretty well, and you can tell that a lot of time and effort was put into getting the game right.”
“Being a free game, I didn't expect much, but felt the developer may have had something if they were more imaginative in the story or characters and ironed out the bugs before release.”
“[spoiler] The ending and the secret (after I cheated to get the remaining runes because I was too lazy to go back :p) was anti-climactic at best; honestly, I was expecting maybe a big sign with a short story at the end or a full motion video (ok, maybe not a full motion video but maybe a short comic/slideshow or something that tells us how...you know...)...game still didn't really explain how there were man-made ropes there on each level and campfires too...no references to any human that came before either or anyone smart enough to erect campfires and hang ropes on the ceiling/sides of walls...disappointed...[/spoiler]”
“Apparently the runes are for a secret area in the last level, so I suppose if you want the whole story, get them as well while you're at it.”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the unique character themes and find the music fitting, others criticize it for being monotonous and lacking diversity, particularly in the later levels. A few users noted that the overlapping character themes can be overwhelming, leading them to mute the game entirely. Overall, while the music adds a nice touch, it could benefit from more variety and depth.
“All characters have their own music, and that is a very nice extra touch!”
“The music fits in well with this game.”
“I definitely had no issue listening to the music while playing.”
“What was really annoying for me was the music in the game.”
“The game’s sounds and music could have used a bit more diversity.”
“The sounds are somewhat generic and the music is too monotonous during the final levels.”
- stability5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report smooth gameplay with no lag or texture glitches, others have encountered significant issues, particularly with character movement and specific mechanics like rope jumping. Users suggest considering other options on Steam for a more stable experience, despite some recommending the game despite its bugs.
“On top of that, there are major glitches when trying to move your characters together in a group.”
“The only issue I encountered was Axel being a little buggy with rope jumping.”
“Really recommending this game, even though Axel has a bit buggy rope jumps, so be careful.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised, with users expressing a strong appreciation for its immersive qualities. However, the absence of background music detracts from the overall experience, leading some to feel that it falls short of the game's full atmospheric potential.
“Love the atmosphere!”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive and draws you into the game world.”
“The game's atmosphere perfectly complements its storytelling and enhances the overall experience.”
“It didn’t quite live up to the atmosphere of the overall game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional impact, often feeling deeply moved and experiencing tears during pivotal moments in the game, highlighting the stakes involved in the narrative.
“Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that the game's grinding aspect has become overly focused on card farming, diminishing its overall appeal and utility.
“This game is unfortunately no longer good for anything other than card farming.”
“Easy card farming.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is considered limited, with users noting that it offers only a modest amount of content to revisit after the initial playthrough. Many feel that once the main objectives are completed, there is little incentive to return. Overall, it seems to lack the depth or variety needed to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The game feels like a one-and-done experience; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
“Replayability is severely lacking; the story doesn't change enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
“After finishing the game, I found no reason to go back, as the choices I made had minimal impact on the outcome.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, with players finding it enjoyable and amusing, enhanced by the inclusion of trading cards as a bonus feature.
“A delightful and humorous game that keeps you entertained with its witty dialogue and quirky characters.”
“The humor in this game is spot-on, making every moment enjoyable and filled with laughter.”
“I love how the game incorporates funny elements into the gameplay, making it a truly unique experience.”
