Journey

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 146
  3. Negative: 9 out of 146

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  1. gjmoss1
    Jan 18, 2021
    10
    Beautiful relaxed and serene. This is best played in a dark room with headphones and yourself and your thoughts, amazing!
  2. Roorm
    Jun 7, 2019
    10
    The story is told without words, and that is what makes it unique and incredible. One word is worth playing, it's a masterpiece.
  3. robinson427
    Jun 6, 2019
    10
    Great game. Tells a great story without any dialogue. It's a short game only taking a few hours to complete, but it's worth every second and every penny. I can't share any of the story without spoiling it, but I can tell you that you basically arrive at a place that is barren yet beautiful. Then, you start walking towards a object far in the distance. As you make your way to this objectGreat game. Tells a great story without any dialogue. It's a short game only taking a few hours to complete, but it's worth every second and every penny. I can't share any of the story without spoiling it, but I can tell you that you basically arrive at a place that is barren yet beautiful. Then, you start walking towards a object far in the distance. As you make your way to this object bits and pieces of the story are revealed to you while you try to discover what happened.… Expand
  4. DrMisiaq
    Jun 26, 2019
    10
    Game is spectacular. I was waiting for pc port for so long, but it was worth it. I wish it was longer. Or maybe the fact that the experience is so condensed makes it even better? The only problem with this game is that Epic Games does not support controller, so I had to play with mouse and keyboard, which ruins controls a lot, but it's not the fault of the game itself (there are controllerGame is spectacular. I was waiting for pc port for so long, but it was worth it. I wish it was longer. Or maybe the fact that the experience is so condensed makes it even better? The only problem with this game is that Epic Games does not support controller, so I had to play with mouse and keyboard, which ruins controls a lot, but it's not the fault of the game itself (there are controller options in it!).… Expand
  5. SlamDunker
    Dec 22, 2022
    10
    One of the most beautiful games I have ever played. Absolutely unique and wonderful experience.
  6. r03vg
    Nov 18, 2021
    10
    Видимо, сюжет придумал себе сам. Чудесно. Изумительно.
  7. runner
    Aug 3, 2019
    9
    Great game! So glad it came out to PC
    In an era of quick-satisfaction-games and plenty of beat-em-upshoot-em-up titles it's nice to find some pieces of art here and there.
    Bottom line: +Amazing atmosphere, graphics, music, and general feel +Very "arty" experience if you're into that kind of thing +Great PC port, works well technically +Collectibles +You can fly +-Slow pace -Quite    Great game! So glad it came out to PC
    In an era of quick-satisfaction-games and plenty of beat-em-upshoot-em-up titles it's nice to find some pieces of art here and there.
    Bottom line:
    +Amazing atmosphere, graphics, music, and general feel
    +Very "arty" experience if you're into that kind of thing
    +Great PC port, works well technically
    +Collectibles
    +You can fly
    +-Slow pace
    -Quite short
    -Not really for "mainstream" players, I'd say
    -Not much replay value

    While the terminology for "game" can be debated in this case, if you know what you're going into, you shouldn't be disappointed.
    It's one of those games which are more like a (relatively) long walking sim (and a rather short game).
    The story in Journey in a wordless one, so everything that remains is the atmosphere (which is great) and your imagination, I guess.
    Now, if you're into this kind of think - you'd surely enjoy Journey.
    This game is mostly about exploration in a few beautifully visualized landscapes. The game's great soundtrack makes up for an awesome, usually relaxing and chilled experience (with some specific moments which are out of the ordinary).
    Game also contains few collectibles and secrets, probably to add some more intrigue & gameplay value.
    Personally I wanted to collect everything, so I've used a guide once in a while and in fact I feel it kind of ruined the immersion in the game.
    Also one major con I found in Journey is that - even if you like those type of games - it's incredibly SLOW.
    You may still finish it all within 2 hours, I believe, but the pace of the character is just pretty slow.
    I think it worked best for me to play the game one chapter at a time and let the experience "sink" a bit.
    Another main bad thing is that there's not much of a replay value. I might play the game again someday but not anytime soon.. It's a quite one-time shortie.    … Expand
  8. bidikburger
    Jun 20, 2020
    9
    This game is unique, incredible and well ported. This game has one of the best atmosphere I've ever seen. If you haven't play on ps 3 or ps 4 you must play
  9. Welkinz
    Jan 15, 2021
    9
    It is such a beautiful, poetic and well designed game. The best part is it almost doesn't have any instructions, but used many details to subtly tell player what to do.
  10. Alentejano
    Jul 5, 2020
    9
    An incredible metaphor for life. Visually amazing (thanks to the lighting), great sound design and a perfect musical score. Its themes and message about the "journey" through life are rarely done so perfectly in a video game. Even though it's only two hours or so it will resonate with the majority of players and they will think about the game for weeks (I know I will).
  11. Jaynat
    Dec 3, 2021
    9
    Short, and simple, yet effective. Movement can feel a bit slow at times and certain dangerous parts can feel unfair (I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but if you have played the game you probably know what I'm referring to. Let's just say it's a bad idea to stick to the right side of that certain level, things may spawn there without warning...) but not enough to take away from theShort, and simple, yet effective. Movement can feel a bit slow at times and certain dangerous parts can feel unfair (I won't elaborate to avoid spoilers, but if you have played the game you probably know what I'm referring to. Let's just say it's a bad idea to stick to the right side of that certain level, things may spawn there without warning...) but not enough to take away from the experience. Not many games have made me go through so many emotions in so little time.

    This is truly a masterpiece.    … Expand
  12. BobDoleReturns
    Jul 8, 2020
    9
    It's best to think of this game as an art film that you hold a controller during. Takes about 2 hours to play through, during which there is no text or dialogue, just visual storytelling with a wonderful OST. Buy this if you'd like to spend a beautiful, calming 2 hours exploring a world that holds up astoundingly well for being 5 years old.

    I played with a headset on an ultrawide    It's best to think of this game as an art film that you hold a controller during. Takes about 2 hours to play through, during which there is no text or dialogue, just visual storytelling with a wonderful OST. Buy this if you'd like to spend a beautiful, calming 2 hours exploring a world that holds up astoundingly well for being 5 years old.

    I played with a headset on an ultrawide monitor after I bought it on Steam. My 9/10 would be a 10 if this game were longer!

    Also, if you like this game, you'll like Rime. Rime is also about 20x longer than Journey, you'll get your money's worth!    … Expand
  13. prostopopez
    Mar 29, 2022
    9
    A memorable piece of art with a motivating adventure story. Great music and game design.
  14. methodyy
    Aug 29, 2023
    9
    Feels like short experience of life, beautiful game, good that we have pc port
  15. jelikey
    Aug 27, 2023
    8
    Journey is as deep or as shallow as you want it to be, and yet it is always its unique self.

    Journey is one of the games you get funny looks for missing out on, it made that big a splash upon release. I jumped on the bandwagon very late because I refuse to touch anything console related and Journey took the long way round to get to the PC, but now it's here and I made the time. We're    Journey is as deep or as shallow as you want it to be, and yet it is always its unique self.

    Journey is one of the games you get funny looks for missing out on, it made that big a splash upon release. I jumped on the bandwagon very late because I refuse to touch anything console related and Journey took the long way round to get to the PC, but now it's here and I made the time. We're only talking 90 minutes per playthrough, after all.

    According to a casual survey of The Discourse, Journey is a lot of things to a lot of people: A tale of transcendence, a religious allegory… For me, during the first two thirds of my first play through, Journey was one thing: Flow: The Game.    … Expand
  16. Skaamit
    Jun 8, 2019
    8
    'Journey', недавно заглянувшая на ПК через 'Epic Games Store', оказалась замечательной. Прекрасное занятие на где-то 2 часа, где имеются прекрасные виды и музыка. Впечатления портит и динамику ломает только пара моментов. Но если смотреть глобально, то игра потрясающая, хорошо успокаивает и дарит удовольствие.

    Но, с другой стороны, на фоне своих братьев, Я сейчас об 'Flower' от тех же    'Journey', недавно заглянувшая на ПК через 'Epic Games Store', оказалась замечательной. Прекрасное занятие на где-то 2 часа, где имеются прекрасные виды и музыка. Впечатления портит и динамику ломает только пара моментов. Но если смотреть глобально, то игра потрясающая, хорошо успокаивает и дарит удовольствие.

    Но, с другой стороны, на фоне своих братьев, Я сейчас об 'Flower' от тех же 'thatgamecompany', и которая недавно тоже вышла на ПК, и о 'ABZU' от 'Giant Squid Studios', увлекала меньше всего. 'Journey' на их фоне выглядит довольно однообразной и не столь богатой на виды и эмоции.

    Сейчас даже появилось стойкое желание вновь окунуться в океан 'ABZU'.    … Expand
  17. 12HD
    Mar 8, 2023
    8
    This interactive experience transcends the boundaries of traditional gaming and instead offers a breathtaking work of art. The overall concept, the stunning score, and the mesmerizing animation are all captivating. Yet, what truly sets this game apart is the serendipitous pairing of strangers, who are limited to communicating with nothing more than basic calls. This restriction creates anThis interactive experience transcends the boundaries of traditional gaming and instead offers a breathtaking work of art. The overall concept, the stunning score, and the mesmerizing animation are all captivating. Yet, what truly sets this game apart is the serendipitous pairing of strangers, who are limited to communicating with nothing more than basic calls. This restriction creates an unspoken bond between players that is nothing short of magical.

    I recall playing with someone until we reached the summit and traversed the sands, and as we neared the end, they drew a heart for me. I responded with a simple "Hi" and to my surprise, they replied "Hello." Despite the lack of elaborate dialogue, those two words held a weight that cannot be described in mere language. Tears flowed as we journeyed together into the light.

    To put it simply, this game is a masterpiece that transcends mere entertainment. It's an experience that brings people together in a profound and moving way. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful and unforgettable adventure.    … Expand
  18. tensioly
    Jun 6, 2023
    8
    Journey es un juego muy gratificante. Con un diseño artístico a un nivel espléndido y una banda sonora que denota su presencia, este juego te logra transmitir una bonita experiencia en la que, como su propio nombre indica, el camino es lo que importa. Su jugabilidad es bastante satisfactoria aunque algo simple. Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado del juego es cómo incorpora elJourney es un juego muy gratificante. Con un diseño artístico a un nivel espléndido y una banda sonora que denota su presencia, este juego te logra transmitir una bonita experiencia en la que, como su propio nombre indica, el camino es lo que importa. Su jugabilidad es bastante satisfactoria aunque algo simple. Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado del juego es cómo incorpora el multijugador, de una forma muy natural y complementando la historia principal. Como puntos negativos, las pocas mecánicas que ofrece su jugabilidad, su escasa duración con respecto a lo que me esperaba (a mi me ha durado unas 2 horas) y algunos bugs presentes en la versión de PC. Como conclusión, Journey a mi parecer está algo sobrevalorado pero igualmente es un gran juego que recomiendo a todos los que deseen disfrutar de un muy agradable y enriquecedor camino. 8,3/10
    (06/2021)    … Expand
  19. skdcraw
    Sep 8, 2021
    8
    You probably never saw this game in any ads, or even suggestions from the game platform you play on. Because this game is clearly separated from the "Game Industry" which consists mostly of money makers. They care about money way too much, they emphasize the profit they make. So they put less work on a game and make higher prices.

    But this game, this game emphasises art. The whole game    You probably never saw this game in any ads, or even suggestions from the game platform you play on. Because this game is clearly separated from the "Game Industry" which consists mostly of money makers. They care about money way too much, they emphasize the profit they make. So they put less work on a game and make higher prices.

    But this game, this game emphasises art. The whole game is a work of art. The graphic design, the musics, the sound effects even the animations. The game is not aimed to make you "play" but more like "experience" something. There is no fancy gameplay elements. Actually you can only walk, fly and make a sound. But the game does not promises a fancy gameplay either. The game promises you an "atmosphere" and it does it greatly. You feel lost in the game. You lost your bounds with the real life and start to wonder in a desert. I had nearly 20+ screenshots during the gameplay since you can make a wallpaper out of every scene. The game looks much more beautiful than every game that I know.

    The story in the game is not the main thing. There isn't any words about the story. But the game conceptualize the old times. We even know about the history when words do not exist. Because our ancestors just drawed on the walls of the caves. The game is same. No words. But drawings of ancient times, and you can actually feel your ancestors. The story is not that complicated but remember, the game is not played around of its story, the purpose of the story is keeping your curiosity up. And it works.

    From the things I write , you may think this is the best game of all time but no. The game does best what it promises. But that does not mean that this is the best game. Game is short. And not the "if we make more of this, people get bored" short. The game is very short. And there aren't any gameplay elements. Which I think the game is open for much of them. You see so much opportunities has missed when making this game. But remember, they can make a sequel game. And it has the possibility to be the greatest game of all time.

    Despite missed opportunities, this game done great -if not the best- when it comes to the things game promised. The atmosphere should be an example for other games. You can also suggest this game to not-gamers since this game is so easy to play.    … Expand
  20. lucky_mouse
    Jan 6, 2021
    8
    Pay no mind to this comment, I intend to write a proper review soon enough. For now, just trust this score.
  21. apeot2002
    Sep 27, 2021
    8
    Journey is as deep or as shallow as you want it to be, and yet it is always its unique self.

    Journey is one of the games you get funny looks for missing out on, it made that big a splash upon release. I jumped on the bandwagon very late because I refuse to touch anything console related and Journey took the long way round to get to the PC, but now it's here and I made the time. We're    Journey is as deep or as shallow as you want it to be, and yet it is always its unique self.

    Journey is one of the games you get funny looks for missing out on, it made that big a splash upon release. I jumped on the bandwagon very late because I refuse to touch anything console related and Journey took the long way round to get to the PC, but now it's here and I made the time. We're only talking 90 minutes per playthrough, after all.

    According to a casual survey of The Discourse, Journey is a lot of things to a lot of people: A tale of transcendence, a religious allegory… For me, during the first two thirds of my first play through, Journey was one thing: Flow: The Game.

    Do you know that state of mind you can almost only reach during a video game, when you direct the game with almost no mental effort, yet somehow also achieve peak precision and speed? That mix of total relaxation and complete engagement. That, to me, and to a lot of others, is flow.
    Usually, that state of mind isn't easy to reach, even if a game is designed to facilitate it, but Journey is a master class in enabling flow. Your modes of interaction are very limited: You can walk, jump, do the animated coat version of flapping your wings, and chirp at things, that's it. Yet these interactions transition into each other so gracefully and without friction that, if the player is just a bit mindful of the timing, the player character just, ahem, flows across the levels. It's beautiful to behold, and while it isn't that hard to master, it feels very rewarding to get right.

    This marvelous experience is the reason I played through Journey thrice, back to back.

    The level design and art direction support this experience with all their worth: The desert the first half of the game takes places also flows languidly and with aching beauty under a grandiose sky. Every smooth rise and exhilarating fall of the dunes invites you into the joy of moving forward. The occasional music haunts and elevates your steps, and sand hisses it's approval under your feet.
    The production values are excellent, is what I'm saying.

    Then the game takes a very noticeable turn. The level design changes abruptly, so does mood and environmental design. The game takes being a metaphor for actual journeys seriously, so, like the third act of an actual journey, things get a bit taxing, then a bit more, until every step forward is a hardship. So the feeling of flow was gone, and so was most of the fun I was having, but not, I stress, the engagement. Journey is very good at making me feel that there are actual stakes for this trip, that I am truly moving towards something great, something like transcendence, and you don’t reach that kind of goal without paying a price for it.

    So in the second half, the I hesitate to name it plot had successfully drawn me in, despite staying completely vague and allegorical. And while the overall trudge through the third act really was no fun, it wasn’t all horrible: The moment of revelation just before the final test was a beautiful experience of revelation and elation, and great for supplying enough motivation for the final slog.

    Then there is a very short but so very sweet moment of triumph.

    And then the main menu asks you if you’d like to go on the Journey again. I recommend you do. At least three times.

    TLDR: Journey is in the business of creating uncomplicated joy, stirring powerful emotions and then letting you fall into the intellectual rabbit hole of your own interpretation of itself. It’s a short but unique experience, and definitely worth the asking price twice over.    … Expand
  22. Karlsefniy
    Oct 22, 2022
    8
    Journey is the type of game that I don't know how to talk about. Its music, art style and atmosphere is fabulous.
  23. dandalis
    Nov 24, 2019
    7
    Having played a game like ABZU first, which was heavily inspired by Journey, and whom i consider a rather good game, before playing Journey itself, my perceptions might be somewhat convoluted when it comes to judging Journey, as i have experienced its foundations in an other, newer title. But nevertheless i still found Journey to be just as good as ABZU, if not somewhat better.

    Visually    Having played a game like ABZU first, which was heavily inspired by Journey, and whom i consider a rather good game, before playing Journey itself, my perceptions might be somewhat convoluted when it comes to judging Journey, as i have experienced its foundations in an other, newer title. But nevertheless i still found Journey to be just as good as ABZU, if not somewhat better.

    Visually its still very impressive even in 2019, due to its wonderful art design. Outright graphical fidelity wise its no slouch either, its environments, the way sand in rendered still can take your breath away.

    Journey is suppose to be this emotional experience from what i have read, it has even made its testers cry lol, perhaps im just a somewhat cold person, but it didnt manage to resonate with me on such a deep emotional level, though its not like i didnt experience anything at all, if anything Journey is a pretty uplifting game, one that brings you simple joy when playing it.

    While the game is mostly linear, it can give a you a suprising feel of freedom in its more open levels. The way the game doesnt allow you to go out of bounds was also well done, unlike very intrusive methods other games tend to employ. Gameplay felt fluid, even when playing with mouse and keyboard i didnt have much issues.

    Its not a long game, but the few hours it offers are worth it.    … Expand
  24. B-Bog
    Aug 5, 2019
    7
    (EDIT Another reviewer said Epic does not support controllers. Not true at all. I played through the whole game with my Xbox One Controller, connected via USB dongle. No setup required and no problems whatsoever.)

    I think I was kind of overhyped for this game. For years and years, I've been reading nothing but glorious praise for Journey. So I couldn't wait to get my hands on it when I    (EDIT Another reviewer said Epic does not support controllers. Not true at all. I played through the whole game with my Xbox One Controller, connected via USB dongle. No setup required and no problems whatsoever.)

    I think I was kind of overhyped for this game. For years and years, I've been reading nothing but glorious praise for Journey. So I couldn't wait to get my hands on it when I found out about the PC release by accident. And of course: It's gorgeous! The art style and direction is probably the highlight of Journey. The soundtrack also fits the atmosphere really well and sucks you right into the game.

    Well, it's not so much of a "game" in that sense, but more of an experience. When the gameplay is at its best, it delivers a very satisfying feeling of flow, and you're never really in danger. So if you're looking for a challenge, maybe look somewhere else. It is also a VERY short game. I read sth about four hours beforehand, but I just played through it in under three. Granted, I didn't do too much looking around on this first play-through because I was curious where the game would go next and I didn't want to break the flow of the experience too much by searching every nook and cranny for collectibles. Which apparently do in fact give you a cool reward when you collect them all, so I'm probably going to play it at least once more. I did find the last level to be kind of tedious and annoying, I have to say. I know, there's also some story-telling and symbolism going on here, but I found myself suspecting that this also served to add just a liiiittle bit more play-time to the game.

    I think the main problem with Journey at this point is that it was a breathtaking and innovative game when it first came out on the PS3 seven years ago. But in the meantime, lots of other games like ABZU and INSIDE have come out, which are also very ambitious and focused in their art direction, style, colour-coding, and mute story-telling. The whole "not a video game, but an experience"-thing is much more common nowadays. If I had played none of these other games before, maybe Journey would have completely blown me away like ABZU did a few months ago.

    Overall, Journey is a very cool, but short experience, that's just not as special anymore now as when it first came out in 2012. It's only 15 bucks, so if you like artsy "experience" games, you might want to give it a try. Or wait until you can get it on sale.

    P.S. In response to another review: I have absolutely NO framerate issues and I have all the settings cranked up to max. Granted, I have a pretty decent gaming PC, though it's already 2.5 years old by now. I also had absolutely no issues with the game being available only through the Epic store, though I expected there to be some problems, because everyone made such a big fuzz about it. Turns out, it was just typical nerd rage. It's just another store and launch app that you can download and set up really quickly, and frankly, the UI is quite a lot better, sleeker and more intuitive than the convoluted mess you get with Steam.    … Expand
  25. Babutto
    Sep 12, 2021
    7
    Pros.:
    - Nice narrative.
    - Beautiful esthetics.
    - Fluidity. Like in PoP 2008.

    Cons.:
    - Boring.
    - Required more story about the world and inhabitants.
    - Could be updated for the PC release (additional materials that usually are intact during the development stage).

    All these issues came from the development restrictions.
  26. Ev3rgreen
    Mar 16, 2020
    7
    A great game with beautiful landscapes and a really good ambience. There is no dialog in the game but it's a really relaxing game to spend your afternoon. Enjoyed it a lot but in my opinion, its lenght is too short, so I just spent 3-4 hours playing it, which were great but it felt short for me. Even though, it's a great title that most of people can enjoy and have a nice time playing it.
  27. spencerplewe
    Feb 18, 2021
    7
    I felt as if immersed in an award-winning short film, steeped with Asian cultures and some magical surprises, though it's also the type of short game where its replay value will either be obvious or dubious.
  28. Kujin
    Jan 11, 2021
    7
    Journey Is a totally unique and wonderful game, and is a true must-play for any gamer. Somewhat bafflingly , it manages to use as little as possible to create an amazing experience: it's simplicity is almost exclusively a positive. With all it's two-action gameplay, simple graphical style and lack of a narrative Journey is a surprisingly emotional game.
  29. Mandulum
    Feb 13, 2020
    6
    It seemed like a good enough platformer and it has nice visuals but I don't particularly like platformers and I have no idea what that was about.

    Date Completed: 2020-02-13
    Playtime: 2h
    Enjoyment: 6/10
    Recommendation: It was alright but not my cup of tea.
  30. RMDsilva
    Feb 27, 2023
    6
    Simple, beautiful game. Interesting experience for a bit, but definitely not outstanding. Come for the art.
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Critic Reviews

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No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Jul 1, 2019
    85
    Great game, spectacular, unique and incredible atmosphere.
    Read full review
  2. Gamers Heroes
    Jun 9, 2019
    80
    Journey’s journey to the PC is a successful one, barring some minor technical issues. Between its incredible atmosphere and unique mechanics, this is one title worth exploring.
    Read full review