The Journey Back
- August 12, 2015
- Erwin Wolf
Get on Steam"The Journey Back" is a first-person puzzle-adventure game that follows the story of a man searching for his lost love. Players navigate through beautiful, surreal landscapes and solve increasingly complex puzzles to uncover the truth about their past. With a focus on exploration and discovery, the game invites players to immerse themselves in a poetic and emotional experience.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and interesting art style that creates a vibrant atmosphere.
- The puzzles, while easy, provide a relaxing experience and are enjoyable to solve.
- The soundtrack is calming and adds to the overall ambiance of the game.
- The game is very short, typically taking only about an hour to complete.
- There are numerous bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay and immersion.
- The story lacks depth and can be predictable, failing to engage players fully.
- story13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around themes of a car crash and mental health, but many players find it lacking depth and predictability, often identifying the conclusion early on. While some appreciate the simple narrative and stylized presentation, others criticize it for being too straightforward and filled with clichés. Overall, the story is seen as complete yet unsatisfying, with potential for more exploration and complexity.
“The game does tell a complete story despite its brevity, and I enjoyed it, but it's very straightforward.”
“Interesting back story.”
“That said, I really did enjoy the surreal environments and I thought the plot was great.”
“The story doesn't pull me in and the physics can sometimes be uncanny.”
“Very simple puzzles, very bare bones story.”
“Definitely buggy, even with spelling errors, cliché topic, and a story that is obvious from the Steam description and the game title.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with some players appreciating the stylized art reminiscent of early 3D games, while others find it lacking in charm and polish. Despite some graphical issues and a wonky interface, the visuals can be seen as serviceable and even charming by some, though they do not meet the standards of a AAA release. Overall, the graphics are described as a mixed bag, with a blend of nostalgia and imperfections.
“Loved the puzzles and the art style.”
“The music is good and the visuals are nice; a few graphical issues aside, this is an adventure point-and-click game that can be completed in about an hour with very little difficulty.”
“The game's graphics are highly stylized and remind me of the very early 3D era, when even the ground was made of distinct mono-colored polygons.”
“I don't really like this particular style (I think it accentuates the imperfections of early 3D implementations in an unfavorable way), but it did not bother me much in this game; the graphics are serviceable.”
“The interface was also really wonky, and that coupled with the inconsistent graphics constantly reminds you that you aren't playing a AAA release.”
- music7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the relaxing piano soundtrack and atmospheric qualities, others find it repetitive and monotonous over time. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, though it may not hold up for extended play sessions.
“Soft, slow music creates a relaxing, thoughtful atmosphere.”
“Really nice atmosphere and music.”
“The journey back is such a vibrant and good looking game, with a nice soundtrack and some decent puzzles that'll make you question why society puts the door key right under the doormat.”
“And the game is not exactly beautiful; the graphics are not entirely charming, and the quiet music is extremely repetitive.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players reporting no issues while others encountered significant bugs and glitches that hindered gameplay. While a few users noted minor glitches, they still found enjoyment in the game, suggesting that the experience may vary widely among players. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a concern for many, impacting their ability to recommend it.
“Definitely buggy, even with spelling errors, cliché topic, and a story that is obvious from the Steam description and the game title.”
“Can't recommend... because it is too buggy to finish...”
“This game has a few problems, not so much glitches as much as bugs and general game design faults; let me list the few I found in my time playing.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and thoughtful ambiance, enhanced by soft music and the presence of various birds. Players appreciate the charming elements, such as a spinning windmill, which contribute to an enjoyable experience, especially considering the low price point. Despite some minor glitches, the overall atmosphere remains a highlight for many users.
“Soft, slow music creates a relaxing, thoughtful atmosphere.”
“Really nice atmosphere and music.”
“I enjoy the 10+ birds in the game that make the atmosphere that much more enjoyable, and the spinning windmill is pretty sweet.”
