Voyage
- February 19, 2021
- venturous
Voyage is a short and simple cinematic game wrapped up in enthralling visuals, best played with a friend, a controller, and lots of (initial) patience.
"Voyage is a mysterious, beautiful mystery simulation game that can be played solo or cooperatively with a friend in local multi-player. With its hand-painted environments, wordless narrative, and non-violent gameplay, it offers a seamless, accessible experience for all players. Immerse yourself in its immersive soundscape, composed by Calum Bowen, as you unravel the mystery and find a way home together."
Reviews
- The art style and visuals are stunning, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films, creating a captivating atmosphere.
- The music and sound design enhance the overall experience, providing a soothing backdrop to the gameplay.
- The game offers a unique, relaxing experience that can be enjoyed solo or in co-op mode, making it a great choice for couples or friends.
- The gameplay is minimal and often feels tedious, with slow movement and repetitive actions that can lead to boredom.
- The story is vague and lacks clarity, leaving players confused about the narrative and objectives.
- Puzzles are overly simplistic and do not provide much challenge, making the game feel more like an interactive art piece than a traditional game.
- story31 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely conveyed through environmental storytelling, lacking traditional narrative elements such as character development and dialogue, which some players found engaging while others felt it was too vague or unfulfilling. While the visuals and music are praised for their beauty and atmosphere, the overall narrative experience is described as subtle and ambiguous, appealing to those who appreciate a more interpretive approach to storytelling. Ultimately, the game is seen as an experience-focused journey rather than a story-driven one, with mixed reactions regarding its depth and engagement.
“The art is stunning, the music is wonderful, the story/world is intriguing, and the gameplay is relaxing. This little gem is for gamers who enjoy the finer things in life.”
“The story is told without a single word and only calm, atmospheric music provides any form of commentary to events occurring on the screen.”
“If you want to take a small trip into a story that is full of vivid colors, calming music, and relaxing gameplay - try Voyage.”
“There is no story.”
“But there are no mechanics, no compelling story, and no character development.”
“There's not much of a story here to speak of - there's some environmental storytelling, but I honestly didn't find it very engaging.”
- music30 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its enchanting and calming qualities, enhancing the overall immersive experience alongside stunning visuals and art direction. While some reviewers note that the soundtrack may not be groundbreaking compared to other titles, it effectively complements the gameplay and atmosphere, creating a cohesive charm. Overall, the combination of beautiful music and art makes for a delightful experience, particularly for fans of walking sims and relaxing gameplay.
“The visuals are stunning, and the music is lovely, making for an enchanting experience.”
“The art is superb, the animations are great, the music is wonderful and its story makes you travel through really different landscapes.”
“The music is like a melting pot of jazz infused with jungle beats.”
“The music is okay and so are the graphics - far from being special, though.”
“Moments of tension, wonder, and discovery are all awarded with a suitable tune or effect, but apart from that, there is no soundtrack running through the game.”
“The story is told without a single word, and only calm, atmospheric music provides any form of commentary to events occurring on the screen.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style and vibrant visuals, often compared to the enchanting aesthetics of Studio Ghibli. Players appreciate the beautiful environments and character designs, which contribute to an immersive and atmospheric experience, although some note limitations in resolution options. Overall, the combination of gorgeous visuals and a fitting soundtrack creates a captivating artistic experience that stands out in the gaming landscape.
“The visuals are stunning, and the music is lovely, making for an enchanting experience.”
“Cinematic, Ghibli-esque graphics telling a short tale of love and companionship.”
“The hand-drawn art style mixed with all the animated elements in the scene truly make for an aesthetic experience that is hard to find in many other games.”
“The music is okay and so are the graphics - far from being special, though.”
“The game is locked at 1920x1080, which is ironic because literally any computer can handle the graphics at 4K.”
“It certainly shines in the graphics department.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is largely minimalistic and straightforward, featuring simple puzzles and mechanics that some players find janky or boring. While the co-op aspect can be enjoyable, the overall experience leans more towards a walking simulator with little challenge, making it more about the visual and auditory experience than engaging gameplay. Players are encouraged to appreciate the game's art and music rather than expect depth or complexity in the gameplay itself.
“A cute, fun puzzle game with dual protagonist mechanic well implemented.”
“The gameplay is quite straightforward with light/easy puzzles to solve along the way.”
“If you want to take a small trip into a story that is full of vivid colors, calming music and relaxing gameplay - try Voyage.”
“But there are no mechanics, no compelling story, and no character development.”
“The gameplay is really minimalist, nothing challenging.”
“The art is good, but the gameplay is extremely shallow, and mostly boring.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as a captivating fairy-tale experience, characterized by vibrant art and calming music that enhances the storytelling without dialogue. Players who appreciate detailed environments and a unique, quirky ambiance will find it rewarding, though it may not suit those seeking more action-oriented gameplay. Overall, the atmospheric elements are integral to the game's charm and narrative depth.
“Pretty short, but what you get is a beautiful experience, from the great atmosphere that came from the art style, or the amazing music that has been composed by bo en.”
“The atmosphere is unique and fills the narrative to the point that the lack of dialogues carries on perfectly in my opinion.”
“If you can't imagine being content just taking in the detail of the atmosphere while you trod along between points of interaction, you will probably be frustrated.”
“The atmosphere is quite kooky and bizarre.”
“I can recommend it for patient players who care a lot about the atmosphere of a game.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it nostalgic and wholesome, evoking strong feelings and even tears, others criticize the characters for being unemotional with limited expressions. Overall, the game offers a subjective emotional journey through a beautifully crafted world.
“Just looking at it made me feel nostalgic.”
“This game made me cry 10/10 <3”
“Emotional at times, albeit subjective, this game takes you on a wholesome 'voyage' across an astoundingly well-crafted world I only wish to see more of.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a lack of character development, with players noting the absence of mechanics and a compelling story to support meaningful growth or evolution of characters.
“But there are no mechanics, no compelling story, and no character development.”
Critic Reviews
Voyage Xbox Review
Voyage is not going to challenge your brain, it won’t make your palms sweat or give you a boost of adrenaline from snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. It doesn’t last a hundred hours with half a dozen DLCs to keep you busy. It’s just a pretty and moving game that will keep you entertained for a couple of hours. It’s not pretending to be anything else and it’s all the better for it.
70%Voyage Review - A Short And Simple Game With A Beautiful Aesthetic
Voyage marks a mostly successful debut for Venturous Games. A lack of variety in puzzles is only briefly felt, thanks to concise runtime. The sluggish movement may look better than it feels, but a strikingly beautiful and vibrant world makes Voyage worth experiencing.
70%Voyage
Voyage is a touching and heartfelt cinematic puzzle adventure title. Can you work together to solve the haunting mystery? Explore a bizarre and surreal world and uncover the many secrets it holds. This is one indie title that stands out from its peers, even if it is painfully short. + Wonderfully surreal imagery. + Emotive audio. + Excellent controls. + Amazing to play alone or with a friend. - It is far too short. (Rating: PEGI 3 Release date: 12/08/2022 Price: $14.99) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
85%