The Longest Journey
- May 1, 2007
- Funcom
- 19h median play time
Get on Steam"The Longest Journey" is a classic adventure game following April Ryan, a young art student with the ability to move between different worlds. As she uncovers her own destiny, April becomes entangled in a battle between the worlds of magic and technology. The game features complex puzzles, a rich story, and memorable characters, making it a must-play for adventure game enthusiasts.
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Reviews
- Engaging and immersive story that combines sci-fi and fantasy elements.
- Rich character development with memorable and relatable characters, especially the protagonist April Ryan.
- Excellent voice acting and witty dialogue that enhances the overall experience.
- Graphics are dated and may not appeal to modern gamers, with low resolution and blocky character models.
- Some puzzles are illogical or overly complex, often requiring a walkthrough to progress.
- Slow pacing with lengthy dialogue and animations can detract from the gameplay experience.
- story1,159 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "The Longest Journey" is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging narrative, often described as one of the best in video game history. Players appreciate the rich world-building, memorable characters, and the seamless blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements, despite acknowledging that the game's graphics and some puzzles may feel dated or frustrating. Overall, the storytelling is considered the game's strongest aspect, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven adventures.
“The longest journey is a masterpiece in terms of its story and unique world setting.”
“I adore this game for its soulful storytelling and phenomenal plot, which remain unmatched in today's gaming world.”
“The story is so enthralling, and the characters are so compelling that I felt like I was living a novel.”
“It's almost as if they had a story and improvised every single line of dialogue in the game, which could explain the sheer amount of junk text in this game.”
“I came for the story but ended up only getting an inventory management game; so disappointing.”
“The story is weak, with a main character that doesn't feel involved, just getting pulled along.”
- graphics441 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of "The Longest Journey" are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its 1999 release, with many players noting that they do not hold up to modern standards. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and artistic style, others find the visuals and animations to be crude and distracting. However, the game's compelling story and character development often overshadow the graphical shortcomings, and players are encouraged to use mods to enhance the visual experience.
“Despite 1999 graphics, the art is stunning and captivating; the level designs are fantastic.”
“The graphics are dated, but trust me, it doesn't matter - the storyline and characters make it beat most of the games with fancy visuals that we have today.”
“The graphics may not have aged that well, but the storyline and dialogue are still some of the most engaging I've ever played.”
“The graphics are very dated.”
“The graphics are atrocious on a new computer though.”
“The graphics haven't aged well (obviously); however, the voice acting and the story make you forget about the 20-year-old graphics.”
- gameplay141 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Longest Journey" is characterized as a traditional point-and-click adventure, which many players find slow and occasionally frustrating due to dated mechanics and illogical puzzles. While the game suffers from common genre pitfalls, such as clunky interactions and a lack of modern conveniences, its compelling story and rich world-building often overshadow these issues, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games. Overall, players recommend using a guide to navigate some of the more obtuse puzzles, but those who prioritize story over gameplay may find it particularly rewarding.
“The gameplay is a straightforward point & click adventure with a long and pretty good story, but nowadays games are more accessible to the not-so-die-hard gamer and help the player a little more.”
“Good story, good characters, the gameplay is fun, the puzzles are a challenge but not unbeatable.”
“The gameplay itself is generally well-done for point-and-click fare, although admittedly the story sometimes works against it - there were times when I wanted to find out badly what happened next and was immediately confronted with an annoying puzzle.”
“There are no automatic saves, and two (or was it three?) times during my playthrough the game just randomly crashed, and I had to completely replay hours of gameplay just to get back to where I was.”
“The gameplay is not very convenient, even kind of buggy.”
“The gameplay is very simple, and you have some very cool and excellently written puzzles which includes everything from solving 'code' sequences, to manipulating people with objects to, for example, go away from a place, or give you something.”
- humor112 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of clever, sarcastic, and sometimes dark wit, often enhancing the engaging narrative and well-developed characters. While some players find the humor hit or miss, many appreciate its depth and relatability, with memorable dialogue and funny moments that balance the more serious themes. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with a rich story, making it a standout experience for fans of the genre.
“The story is wonderful and engaging; the characters are likable, and the dialogues are funny and cheeky.”
“The humor and animations are pretty funny, and I think you will like it if you enjoy the nostalgia of classic games.”
“Great writing with a funny, witty, and relatable main character in a compelling world.”
- music63 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience with memorable themes and fitting soundscapes that complement the story and settings. While some reviewers noted that certain tracks felt dated or forgettable, many highlighted the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions and create a captivating ambiance throughout the gameplay. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and nostalgic appeal.
“The relaxing music is relaxing and fits the game moods as the story progresses, even when things get suspenseful.”
“The semi-orchestral soundtrack is also amazing and boasts some very memorable themes.”
“Musical soundtrack does a fantastic job at conveying the different moods throughout the journey.”
“The music, when noticeable, is generally thematically appropriate, but by no means particularly memorable.”
“There isn't much in the way of music or sound effects that stand out, which is both a positive and a negative.”
“Boring music (aside from a few standouts, almost every track has the same 'subtle' ominous feel to it).”
- atmosphere38 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and richly developed environments, blending retro-futuristic cyberpunk with magical fantasy elements. Players appreciate the gorgeous art, engaging sound design, and well-crafted dialogue that enhance the overall experience, making it easy to lose oneself in the captivating worlds of Newport and Arcadia. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and graphics, the game's unique setting, memorable characters, and atmospheric storytelling create a compelling and unforgettable adventure.
“A unique blend of retro-futuristic cyberpunk and magical-fantasy genres, this richly atmospheric and beautiful adventure game is a relaxing treat for the senses and spirit, led by a chatty but charming main protagonist April Ryan.”
“From the city streets and police-filled zones that feel like something straight out of 90s cyberpunk cinema to the bustling markets of another decidedly less techno-centric world filled with mystery and a certain beloved talking crow, April's journey takes her to memorable locales oozing with atmosphere and character.”
“The story, atmosphere, and characters in this game all help make it into a really long and unforgettable experience.”
“Newport has a very dystopian atmosphere to it, thanks to the sound arrangement and art.”
“Graphically, this game has not aged well and works counter to the fantasy/futuristic atmosphere that the game tries to create.”
“Despite some long walking time that did annoy me, the atmosphere and fascinating storyline made me want to go on.”
- emotional31 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its engaging and complex storytelling, with many players expressing deep emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. While some reviews note a lack of connection to certain characters, the overall narrative is described as heartwarming, humorous, and capable of evoking strong feelings, often leading to tears by the end. The combination of well-crafted dialogue, memorable characters, and immersive worlds contributes to a lasting emotional impact that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
“A timeless classic with an emotional and engaging story.”
“The story is incredibly emotional and complex, it's grounded by epic characters you absolutely fall in love with.”
“I was so emotionally invested in this game, that for there to be an end to it nearly brought me to tears.”
“The storyline was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
“I found the emotional depth lacking; the plot was just too dull to connect with.”
“Despite its attempts at emotional engagement, the narrative felt flat and uninteresting.”
- stability23 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is notably compromised by various graphical glitches, freezes, and crashes, particularly on modern hardware. While some players report workarounds and fixes that improve playability, many still encounter persistent issues such as invisible textures and buggy menu options. Overall, the game's age contributes to its instability, but it remains enjoyable despite these technical shortcomings.
“Blinking screens, freezes, crashes, etc.”
“The game itself was only buggy graphically for me; some textures for parts of NPCs were invisible for some reason.”
“Freshly installed, the Steam version of the game has graphical glitches on modern hardware such as partially transparent character models.”
- grinding19 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 84 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players noting the slow pace of travel and the complexity of puzzles that can feel unnecessarily convoluted. While some appreciate the nostalgic point-and-click mechanics, the overall sentiment suggests that the game often feels like a drawn-out scavenger hunt, detracting from the enjoyment of the story and characters. Despite these drawbacks, a few players still find value in the experience, particularly for those who enjoy classic adventure games.
“The story is long, but not tedious.”
“Should be called the most tedious and obtuse journey.”
“I'm several hours in and it's still the beginning; nothing exciting has happened and tedious puzzles keep getting in my way.”
“That's right, this is an old-school point-and-click adventure game with some of the most tedious and obtuse puzzles in the entire genre!”
- character development14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and engaging storytelling that keeps players invested, while others criticize inconsistencies and a lack of follow-through on initial promise. The characters are described as rich and well-designed, but there are moments where the development feels neglected or frustrating. Overall, the game is noted for its ambitious narrative and character arcs, though not all players find it consistently satisfying.
“The story and character development is very engaging and it kept me wanting to play more.”
“The character development is great and there are a couple of twists and turns that really make things interesting.”
“This game has as much attention to character development and twists as a well-written novel.”
“Storytelling and the journey itself can still be considered fun... legendary fun... but... replaying this game reminded me that Funcom may be great in storytelling and plot design, but they really suck in character design and fashion.”
“The character development at the start of this game looks detailed and promising, but it doesn't follow through with a complete theme.”
“There is no meaningful character development.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users noting significant issues such as poor porting for modern PCs, frustrating click detection, and stuttering animations. While some technical aspects run smoothly, the overall optimization flaws detract from the experience, making it challenging for players, especially those with limited time.
“It's a decent game technically and runs smoothly, but its faults are too serious to ignore.”
“Amazingly, the infamous dialogues got way better, with even some memorable voice performances by several characters.”
“Unfortunately, I am not a teen anymore; I don't have all the time in the world, and this game has two major, huge flaws: first, it is poorly optimized/ported.”
“The absolute most frustrating thing about this game is trying to click directly on something, but realizing you have to click like three inches away because it's such an old game and it's terribly unoptimized for newer PCs.”
“I personally encountered the 'no FMV/cutscenes playing' problem until I had to set my power options to 'high performance,' which solved the issue.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate its engaging story and visuals, leading to occasional returns, many feel it lacks significant replay value. The point-and-click mechanics contribute to a linear experience, making it less enticing for repeated playthroughs, though it may still be enjoyable for genre fans. Discounts can make it a worthwhile purchase despite its limited replayability.
“It has a really great story, visuals are good (in fact awesome for the year it was released), and it has a lot of replayability if you are a fan of the genre.”
“The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.”
“With multiple endings and various paths to take, the replayability factor is high, making it a game you can enjoy over and over.”
“It has no replay value, but it's fun to go back and play it once a decade or so.”
“And, like most point-and-click games, there is no danger if you get things wrong-- the game just won't progress until you do them correctly-- and replay value is, unfortunately, nil.”
“The game does have a lack of replayability, but it is worth it to get at 75% off.”
