The Journey - Episode 1: Whatever This Is
- April 19, 2021
- Randumb Studios
- 29h median play time
Get on Steam"The Journey - Episode 1: Whatever This Is" is a satirical narrative game where players navigate absurd and humorous situations. The game features a variety of bizarre characters and surreal environments, with the player's choices affecting the outcome of the story. It is a unique and entertaining experience that pokes fun at common tropes in video games while offering a fresh and engaging storyline.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game provides a calming and introspective experience, encouraging players to reflect on their lives and consider new hobbies.
- Players appreciate the thoughtful suggestions given at the end, which are tailored to their responses and can inspire personal growth.
- The atmosphere, music, and overall vibe of the game are praised for being relaxing and enjoyable, making it a pleasant experience.
- The introduction is considered overly long and repetitive, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some players feel that the game lacks traditional gameplay elements and is more of a personality test than a game, which may not appeal to everyone.
- A few users experienced technical issues, such as freezing or difficulty in saving progress, which affected their enjoyment.
- music45 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and vibe. Many players find it inspiring and uplifting, often associating it with personal growth and emotional escape. Overall, the soundtrack is considered above average and a significant highlight of the gaming experience.
“I love how peaceful this game is, especially the music.”
“It is very calming and I loved the soft flowing music.”
“It's a little more calm and relaxing than some of the dev's previous titles, with nice music and atmosphere, and just a little bit of humor.”
“I refuse to listen to different types of music because it gives me a headache :(”
“Like music to my ears, this particular installment from Randumb has me checking on my internal self and figuring out how to recover from this crazy quarantine blues that (like many people) I have found myself in.”
“- the music is relaxing.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, often describing it as heartwarming and insightful. Many express that it resonates personally, offering feelings of appreciation and encouragement, while also addressing themes of self-worth and emotional support. Overall, the game is praised for its thoughtful narrative and ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a meaningful journey for those who engage with it.
“The emotional journey in this game is wonderful.”
“It was very emotional to read through the game while he answered his questions and I honestly think it gave us some insight on things we need to do to encourage each other to do better & feel better about ourselves & each other.”
“This game was really emotional for me and hit a little too close to home.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's story aspect is not a primary focus, as players are encouraged to create narratives outside their usual genres, suggesting a flexible and open-ended approach to storytelling. However, the lack of a defined story structure may leave some players feeling uncertain about the narrative direction. Overall, the emphasis seems to be on personal creativity rather than a cohesive game narrative.
“It doesn't matter if it's the start of a novel or if it's a one-paragraph story about how much you like pizza.”
“It doesn't have to be a long story, it just has to be a story.”
“It's really not a story game.”
“It doesn't matter if it's the start of a novel or if it's a one paragraph story about how much you like pizza.”
“The first option was to write a story outside of my usual genre.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as relaxing and calming, with an absence of horror elements. Players appreciate the immersive quality, enhanced by pleasant music and a touch of humor, making it a more tranquil experience compared to the developer's previous titles.
“I enjoyed the game with its relaxing atmosphere; no horror whatsoever.”
“The atmosphere in these games is amazing.”
“It's a little more calm and relaxing than some of the developer's previous titles, with nice music and atmosphere, and just a little bit of humor.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay of both games is nearly identical, but 'the journey' episode 1 offers a more surprising experience in terms of content. However, it suffers from minor spelling errors and a notable lack of substantial gameplay, making it less suitable for those seeking a traditional gaming experience.
“While both games are technically and gameplay-wise almost identical, 'The Journey' Episode 1 caught me a little more off guard in terms of content.”
“If you're looking for gameplay, this isn't for you... but it could be for you on another day, at another time, or in-between other games.”
“Only downsides for me are some minor spelling errors and overall lack of actual gameplay.”
“If you're looking for 'gameplay,' this isn't for you... but it could be for you on another day, at another time, or in-between other games.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is minimal, with only one clearly funny question and a few others that can be interpreted comically. Overall, the experience leans more towards introspection and enlightenment rather than comedy, with players reflecting on their personal journeys rather than finding humor in the content.
“Some are scary, some are funny, but this one is more enlightening.”
“My word given was introspective and all of the things it recommended to me are things I hadn't considered doing in the past, but what's funny is my current job is something I love and am passionate about and I almost turned down the offer because I had no interest in it at all.”
