Journey

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2754 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,115 out of 2754
  2. Mixed: 416 out of 2754
  3. Negative: 223 out of 2754

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  1. DapperNapkin
    Jul 28, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Looking to change up the pace? Start Journey, turn up the ambience, and let yourself go.

    If you want a unique, "minimalist" gaming experience that ranks closely with the likes of legendary games like 'Shadow of the Colossus' or 'Ico' then look no further. While Journey is short (a playthrough maxes out at 2 hours at best) it is made so intentionally. Here's why: by picking up the controller and beginning your adventure, you're going to have a moment in a similar vein to an attraction at a theme park -- an experience. Enjoying the visuals, the peculiar mechanics, and the underlying mythos of a world that sunk itself into sand over ages of war is key, as the game is tightly crafted with a goal to be emotionally engaging.

    The single player experience is of course, natural and enjoyable. However, thatgamecompany (the developer of Journey) created an online function that separates it from the dozens of art house experiences in the gaming market. It is both fortunate and unfortunate that this feature had to be revealed, because my first time playing I had no idea the other Journeyer I encountered was a real person until the credits rolled. That was a magical experience because the game puts you together without any inkling of what is happening, who this is, and what you are to do together.

    Beneath the mystery and especially the sparse game controls, lies a surprising amount of things to learn and do. The mechanics of the cooperative function aren't taught to you -- you need to discover them with your partner. While much of what you can do with the other player is optional, learning them together (or teaching them, if you already found them with another partner) is an absolutely endearing "hidden" feature to the game.

    Deeper than it seems to let on, Journey is simply a game that everyone needs to try once. If you're skeptical of spending the money on it, do what you can to play it elsewhere first. Gameplay videos don't do it justice, you've got to try it for yourself.

    Not everyone is going to appreciate what Journey has to offer, but by playing a solid run with a partner that you've learned to communicate with in your own way, you'll see a piece of gaming history that is sure to inspire many countless improvements and spiritual followers. Without a doubt, Journey has taken a broad step to redefine what it means to feel, discover, and appreciate while you play video games. I give Journey a 10 out of 10.    … Expand
  2. Azgar5991
    Aug 5, 2015
    8
    A great game to be remember forever, for being diferent what we are used to play, nice experience. This game surprise, a diferent way to play, that make me feel happy, we get boring some times from shooter games as Call of Duty or GTAV, this one catch me because of that a diferent way to play, awsome graphics and many things to explore.
  3. bobbsyw
    Sep 25, 2017
    8
    Very simple, very beautiful, and very well made. It's also very short, but that's a minor complaint for a game that you can pick up for a few quid. Well worth a few hours of you time.
  4. Gwyndolin
    Sep 1, 2015
    9
    As much as I loved this game, I could not give it a 10.
    The first run was very memorable and breathtaking. It was just too short. I hate myself for saying this because I do not like to rate a game on its size...especially a $15 game. I was awed and mesmerized for 2 hours, at the end of the journey, I was simply not satisfied...
    Part of that for me was probably because the actual    As much as I loved this game, I could not give it a 10.
    The first run was very memorable and breathtaking. It was just too short. I hate myself for saying this because I do not like to rate a game on its size...especially a $15 game. I was awed and mesmerized for 2 hours, at the end of the journey, I was simply not satisfied...
    Part of that for me was probably because the actual platforming gameplay itself did not offer me replay value, yeah sure I wanted to collect the stuff I missed but I felt the magic was gone after the first play through.
    That said, the $15 and 2 hours spent on this game was absolutely worth it.    … Expand
  5. Bastrix
    Dec 22, 2015
    8
    It's difficult to define Journey, it's so different from anything else. I can understand people who say it's overrated / boring, because it's so unique. Players who just play shooters / action action games might not enjoy this gameplay since it has absolutely nothing to do with most games. It won't provide the "adrenaline", fast paced intense action.

    Beautiful simplistic original    It's difficult to define Journey, it's so different from anything else. I can understand people who say it's overrated / boring, because it's so unique. Players who just play shooters / action action games might not enjoy this gameplay since it has absolutely nothing to do with most games. It won't provide the "adrenaline", fast paced intense action.

    Beautiful simplistic original graphics combined with elegant smooth music and a mute story that could represent the meaning of life. That's my best attempt to describe journey.    … Expand
  6. Lightf00t
    Aug 12, 2015
    10
    This is the sort of game I love. You just won't get this sort of experience from the big software companies--they will focus on making the most profits by appealing to the unwashed masses. Digital downloading has created an ideal environment for small developers to create imaginative titles like this, keeping the costs down via digital.

    The game I'd compare this to would be Shadow of    This is the sort of game I love. You just won't get this sort of experience from the big software companies--they will focus on making the most profits by appealing to the unwashed masses. Digital downloading has created an ideal environment for small developers to create imaginative titles like this, keeping the costs down via digital.

    The game I'd compare this to would be Shadow of the Colossus (SOTC). While not as good as SOTC, it's not that far off. You have to factor in that this is a shorter game with a smaller price tag. So I'm awarding it a 10/10 bearing that in mind. If it had been twice as long, it could very well have equalled SOTC.    … Expand
  7. seaneagles
    Aug 14, 2015
    10
    When i brought this game on ps3 i was totally sucked into a game which is remarkable. Now i am playing it on ps4 and have that same buzz all over again.
    Simply fantastic.
  8. Memulatron
    Sep 22, 2015
    10
    To quote the great and talented Christopher Walken, "Wow. Wowie-wow-wow-wow."

    This game is beautiful for several different reasons. Reason 1: It looks beautiful. The art style is breathtaking, the desert sand shines radiantly in the sun, and all the animations are natural and fluid. Reason 2: The soundtrack is incredible. It's an amazing totally orchestrated set of songs that fit in    To quote the great and talented Christopher Walken, "Wow. Wowie-wow-wow-wow."

    This game is beautiful for several different reasons. Reason 1: It looks beautiful. The art style is breathtaking, the desert sand shines radiantly in the sun, and all the animations are natural and fluid. Reason 2: The soundtrack is incredible. It's an amazing totally orchestrated set of songs that fit in perfectly with each level in the game. Reason 3: It makes you think. There aren't a whole lot of games that make you think out there. But this one makes you think about existence without a single word of dialogue in the game. The game's story is entirely portrayed through imagery. It's an incredibly simple and slow game, which may be a turnoff for some people, but if you give Journey a chance and take it for what it is, a journey through existence, it will make you feel things you never thought a person could feel.

    I may be exaggerating slightly, but you know what, so are the negative reviewers.    … Expand
  9. YoloMcSwag
    Sep 28, 2015
    9
    This journey of yours may be emotional and heartbreaking like it did three years ago, but it'll always be a beautiful journey you'll never forget.

    *A 9.5 from me, as the PS4 version doesn't seem to take full advantage of the PS4's technical capabilities, but still an outstanding game that stands the test of time. You'll not regret playing this if you've missed out on last gen's.
  10. Vinnie0003
    Oct 7, 2015
    10
    Journey is a beautiful gaming experience, its arts in its pure form, I recommend the use of a good headset and don't let it go of the controller until you finish your experience. The simplistic concept the amazing sound and game mechanics is an achievement that I wish in most video gaming entertainment could make nowadays. Is Thatgamecompany greatest achievement so far!!!
  11. Ammer1981
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    Is it a game? Is it a piece of art? Is it new age or meditative? It is all of that plus more.
    Mostly forget about what you know about nowadays gaming, fast pace bullets or hardcore RPG grinding.
    Sit back and turn up the volume of your speakers, observe and feel the experience .. I would call this more of an experience than a game but a very intense and beautiful one, unique of it's    Is it a game? Is it a piece of art? Is it new age or meditative? It is all of that plus more.
    Mostly forget about what you know about nowadays gaming, fast pace bullets or hardcore RPG grinding.
    Sit back and turn up the volume of your speakers, observe and feel the experience .. I would call this more of an experience than a game but a very intense and beautiful one, unique of it's kind..
    The visuals are stunning and the Journey brings you to another state of mind. It can turn out different every time you play. Mostly i did watch my friends play this from the corners of my eyes in the PS3 era but i did buy The remaster on PS4. I can truly say that i you haven't played this, this is the best chance and version for the very best experience. A work of beauty really!    … Expand
  12. GreenMachineG
    Dec 9, 2015
    8
    Journey is a masterpiece of art and emotion, but I do not think it hit me as hard as other people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to sit down for 2 hours and play through a game start to finish and feel so much for the character in such a short amount of time. I found myself doing a lot of smiling and I felt very into the world I was travelling through. I personally however did notJourney is a masterpiece of art and emotion, but I do not think it hit me as hard as other people. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to sit down for 2 hours and play through a game start to finish and feel so much for the character in such a short amount of time. I found myself doing a lot of smiling and I felt very into the world I was travelling through. I personally however did not feel nearly the emotion a lot of others did. I do not know why, but the end didn't hit me very hard, and in fact almost felt a little anti-climactic. I was happy, but not elated. It also didn't help my play-through that the other players I came across kind of ran off and did their own things. The art style is beyond beautiful, and very appealing to the eye, and the game play is fun and simple. I would recommend this game to anyone.

    8.1/10    … Expand
  13. chillaxer
    May 1, 2016
    8
    I don’t even think this counts as a “game”. After 5 minutes I thought it was complete garbage. I decided to play it through though as I knew it was a short game. After I was done, I wanted to play it again. The aspect of meeting a “companion” and journeying together is an interesting concept.
  14. NihiRagnarK
    Apr 10, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Don't read any reviews before you enjoy the game!

    It is quite an emotional experience. You sometimes coop with some random guy online and sometimes walk alone the way all by yourself. The experience is utterly different.

    At first, I even don't know that this game is a multiplayer game. I thought I started with some 'NPC' that acted weird and funny    … Expand
  15. Kimomarudotcom
    Jul 23, 2015
    4
    I almost fell asleep playing this. Not exciting. Some of the positive reviews praise this game's symbolism, that it's a metaphor for something existential - whatever. I don't get it. It's very pretty, but it mostly plays itself. It's like Sonic the Hedgehog.
  16. mcpop
    Jul 27, 2015
    3
    ok ,ok ,ok e uma obra de arte mas poxa vida eles tiraram o essencial de um game a dificuldade todo game desde aqueles tempos do atari tem que te pelo menos um pouco de dificuldade e nesse game vc não tem nenhum inimigo pra enfrentar e o pior de tudo vc não tem como morrer e com isso vc tbm fica sem qualquer um obstaculo eles fizeram uma obra de arte e não um jogo e tenho de avaliar isook ,ok ,ok e uma obra de arte mas poxa vida eles tiraram o essencial de um game a dificuldade todo game desde aqueles tempos do atari tem que te pelo menos um pouco de dificuldade e nesse game vc não tem nenhum inimigo pra enfrentar e o pior de tudo vc não tem como morrer e com isso vc tbm fica sem qualquer um obstaculo eles fizeram uma obra de arte e não um jogo e tenho de avaliar iso como um jogo não é , resumindo:obra de arte : 9.8 e game : 2.0… Expand
  17. MassRelay
    Aug 26, 2015
    8
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME.

    As of writing, August 27th 2015 this game is broken. I've gone through 13 crashes during this 2 hour long game forcing me to restart chapters (one chapter I had to do 6 times before I could complete it without the game crashing) I tried deleting and reinstalling the game which did not work. After suffering through the crashes, and replaying chapters over and over    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME.

    As of writing, August 27th 2015 this game is broken. I've gone through 13 crashes during this 2 hour long game forcing me to restart chapters (one chapter I had to do 6 times before I could complete it without the game crashing) I tried deleting and reinstalling the game which did not work. After suffering through the crashes, and replaying chapters over and over that loved to crash near the end of the chapter, not the start, or beginning, but the bloody end. I have to say the game is stunning, it's nearly a masterpiece for what it is, a journey, albeit a short one, but a beautiful one that should not be missed. That being said, until there is a patch and the issues are resolved, save your money so you can experience this game start to finish without issues because it does hinder the experience. Not only that, but developers who release broken products and do not fix them in a timely fashion do not deserve your hard earned money. Research first, make sure the crashes are fixed, if not. Move on and wait for it to hit PS+.    … Expand
  18. moisaras
    Jul 22, 2015
    10
    Anyone who gave this game a score less than 10 must have not played it yet.
    This is a last chance to play one of the greatest games of all time, do it, you won't regret it.
  19. Gunther123
    Nov 10, 2015
    0
    Most overrated game ever. Seriously, people's standards have dropped so low that we accept a boring POS game where you run around in a desert collecting scarfs. Yeah I'm glad I wasted money on this junk.
  20. consolfreak1982
    Jan 31, 2016
    7
    the game would EASILY deserve a 9 -
    IF IT DIDNT CRASH THAT OFTEN!!!!!
    Seriously, Ive hardly ever played a game that crashes that often before - in the 2 or so hours to complete it, I had several crashs forcing me to replay chapters over and over and over again which became not ony frustrating, but ruined what should be a coherent/fluid game experience. Graphics, Soundtrack, much has    the game would EASILY deserve a 9 -
    IF IT DIDNT CRASH THAT OFTEN!!!!!
    Seriously, Ive hardly ever played a game that crashes that often before - in the 2 or so hours to complete it, I had several crashs forcing me to replay chapters over and over and over again which became not ony frustrating, but ruined what should be a coherent/fluid game experience.
    Graphics, Soundtrack, much has been said about this stellar game, and it surely is one of the best the PS has to offer - but I consider those bugs almost game breaking - therefore my rating    … Expand
  21. GamingDrake
    Aug 15, 2016
    2
    Simply put if you like walking simulators and pretty visuals then you will like this game because there is nothing else to it. The only story is by what you see, the only gameplay is walk and jump that is it. There is zero reason to play this game a second time. Its not a game its an un interactive movie
  22. DragonEye1201
    Sep 12, 2016
    10
    I've heard of Journey before but I didn't know anything about it. So this is a review about the game which I played for the first time on ps4 and NOT a review about how they changed it when it came on ps4.
    NO SPOILER SECTION:
    So this is a game in which you go on a journey of your own(no **** The graphics are simple yet interesting and beautiful, especially in some parts of the game where    I've heard of Journey before but I didn't know anything about it. So this is a review about the game which I played for the first time on ps4 and NOT a review about how they changed it when it came on ps4.
    NO SPOILER SECTION:
    So this is a game in which you go on a journey of your own(no **** The graphics are simple yet interesting and beautiful, especially in some parts of the game where the reflection of the sun is shown on the sand. The game is long enough for you to get really deep into it and short enough so that you don't become bored. The mechanics are simple and really fun to play with. The story is intense even tho no one says a word. Everything is easily understandable and really beautiful and fun. The game runs smoothly and without bugs. The only and i repeat THE ONLY bug I found is that when the game got out of the cutscene my character stood up and then sat down again. And that's it. If you are thinking of buying this game I highly recommend it. You won't regret it.
    SPOILER SECTION:
    So I didn't know a single thing about this game. When I saw some pictures I thought it is yet another platformer. The part that especially blew my mind was the multiplayer, I thought this was a single-player game. For first 10 minutes of multiplayer I thought that it was an NPC, and not a person. Other players move so smoothly that you won't even think that it's a person(like me). I played the game once and haven't found a troll in the game(multiplayer). Every player I played with was cooperative and fun to play with. When the final cutscene was showing all the places I felt blown away. As I was seeing all the places I past I felt like I was watching a journal of a perfect story. Something so simple just blew my mind. From graphics to multiplayer and story everything just blew my mind. I was stunned by the quality of the game and I don't know if it's just me.
    FINAL REVIEW:
    JOURNEY IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF GAME. SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE PLAYED IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S GETTING ALL THE HYPE AROUND IT. SOMETHING THAT IS JUST SO SIMPLE BUT YET SO PERFECT. UNFORTUNATELY AFTER THE FIRST PLAY, YOU CANNOT PLAY IT AGAIN WITH THE SAME FEELING. IT'S JUST THE GAME THAT IS BEST PLAYED WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF IT AND IN WHICH THE FIRST TIME IS THE BEST.    … Expand
  23. HuytonLayne
    Nov 6, 2016
    1
    Ever play a poor game with fantastic graphics(Crysis)? Ever play a fantastic game with poor graphics but you go so engrossed in the game that you ignored the visuals? This is neither.
    If this game was made by a student, alone, you probably congratulate said student on churning out ok work. But it's so devoid of gameplay, it's a glorified walking simulator with very basic graphics and a    Ever play a poor game with fantastic graphics(Crysis)? Ever play a fantastic game with poor graphics but you go so engrossed in the game that you ignored the visuals? This is neither.
    If this game was made by a student, alone, you probably congratulate said student on churning out ok work. But it's so devoid of gameplay, it's a glorified walking simulator with very basic graphics and a "story" that's meh. If I wasn't a trophy fiend this would have been dropped within 5-10 minutes of play and deleted.    … Expand
  24. guille_rv
    Sep 11, 2016
    0
    This is not a game. It is a dull and boring 90 minute film. I do not understand the hype. There is no challenge, no story, nothing... Thank god I did not pay for it. I would not recommend it even for Play Station Plus players who can get it for free this month.
  25. Ghoster
    Oct 11, 2016
    0
    Stopped playing at tutorial. This game looks too boring to be true. Maybe later there is some sense, but from start it's boring you will fall asleep...
  26. pelaloco
    Aug 7, 2015
    6
    Acabo de jugar este juego en PS4... mi Dios que aburrido... me enganche por tanto comentario positivo y decidí realizar "el Viaje por 20 dolares..." que arrepentido que estoy, lineal, lento, aburrido y hasta tonto... sonido perfecto, gráficos bonitos pero el juego es muy muy aburrido, sin desafío de nada, un viaje a lo "desconocido".... jajajaja dejen de hacerse los cultos y sabiondosAcabo de jugar este juego en PS4... mi Dios que aburrido... me enganche por tanto comentario positivo y decidí realizar "el Viaje por 20 dolares..." que arrepentido que estoy, lineal, lento, aburrido y hasta tonto... sonido perfecto, gráficos bonitos pero el juego es muy muy aburrido, sin desafío de nada, un viaje a lo "desconocido".... jajajaja dejen de hacerse los cultos y sabiondos porque este juego es muy maloooooooooooo!!! ya se, ya se, soy un bruto ignorante que no entendió donde estaba la magia.. bueno si yo no lo entendí que alguien me explique la historia y cual es la idea general del juego (no la pavada de que es una experiencia personal y de eso trata el juego)… Expand
  27. evilfrog
    Oct 22, 2016
    0
    I can't believe how over hyped this slow walking simulator is. incredibly boring. couldn't stand playing it for more than 10 minuets. people talk about art and inspiration because on one sunset scene, so what , other games like the witcher3 and MGS5 look 1000 times better . this garbage is aimed at hipsters who pretend to be artistic and try to find meaning behind boring nonsense .
  28. NinjaLandGameYT
    Jul 23, 2015
    9
    Journey - Hero's life Arc

    + Interesting Art and environments + Amazing Score and emotional soundtrack + Game expresses a variety of emotional areas + Pretty to relax and play, and look at -/+ It's about 4 hours long, but you can replay with other random players online - The game is quite linear, not much player choice Overall - Not the most long lasting extensive gameplay    Journey - Hero's life Arc

    + Interesting Art and environments
    + Amazing Score and emotional soundtrack
    + Game expresses a variety of emotional areas
    + Pretty to relax and play, and look at

    -/+ It's about 4 hours long, but you can replay with other random players online

    - The game is quite linear, not much player choice

    Overall - Not the most long lasting extensive gameplay ever, but still highly recommended that everyone who enjoys the art of video games. Most likely will play it a couple times and on special occasions.
    A must play at least once for every true gamer.    … Expand
  29. GTherion
    Jun 21, 2019
    0
    overated game, finished it before i could even figure out the controls and what i was supposed to be doing.. lol
  30. ladyCareyes
    Jul 23, 2015
    9
    Journey is the kind of game that teaches you the essentials of beauty. A few express such deep feelings!
    At the time I started playing the game I was not surprised enough by the visuals! I was struggling to walk as fast as I could in the punishing dunes. As my journey continued, I started noticing an emergent satisfaction with the conceptual art; my surroundings were astonishing! And the    Journey is the kind of game that teaches you the essentials of beauty. A few express such deep feelings!
    At the time I started playing the game I was not surprised enough by the visuals! I was struggling to walk as fast as I could in the punishing dunes. As my journey continued, I started noticing an emergent satisfaction with the conceptual art; my surroundings were astonishing! And the music which is the feature I loved the most about the game is superb! I was also attracted by the constant changes in the atmosphere, every aspect of nature is so well balanced to bring such a comforting setting! The blinding sandstorms, the windy currents, the flashy reflection of the sunlight in the golden-like sand, the coldness in the dark caves, the freezing blizzards, and above any natural interpretation, I could stand adoring the harmonious magic that surrounds you when flying the skies!
    Journey is a passive game which doesn't demand that much tactics or awareness, it's all about enjoying the views. I didn't know that until too late when after a couple of tries I was frustrated on the peacefulness of the setting. At the middle of the game I paused (which you actually can't, the character just sits down staring at beautiful place in which he/she is) and breathed for a moment, accepting the fact that this game isn't for speedruns, neither accomplishments. "It's all about enjoying the view" I repeated myself.
    I finally reached my destination, amazed by the conclusion, it couldn't end better. This is when I realized the game has it's purpose, to make the player seek the mountain because he's/she's commended too, but at the very end of the game, each one of them had his/her personal reasons, making all the game an analogy in which everyone seeks "his/her mountain".
    Another big surprise at the end of the game [NO SPOILERS] was the message after the credits saying: "Players met" and then I realized I wasn't there alone, those anonymous characters showing up randomly where actually people online playing aside me! I was astonished .
    If everything I just said isn't enough to grant this game a solid score, I'll leave my impression open to discuss. I started hating the game, criticizing reviewers by their lack of objectivity by thinking "maybe they were all high", by the end of the journey I proved my self wrong, this game has a long-run crescent satisfaction, full of surprises that you may not even notice until you are dinning, or working, or reviewing.
    Games like this remind me that guns, wheels and game balls aren't the only genders out there. There should be more devs interested in representing life as its own, as beautiful as it is, as beautiful as Journey is.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS4 Game of 2015
12
#12 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
19
#19 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. CD-Action
    Oct 17, 2015
    80
    It’s a disgrace not to know this game. [10/2015, p.61]
  2. Forbes
    Oct 11, 2015
    100
    It’s a simple remaster, but it makes a work of art all the more beautiful and immersive.
    Read full review
  3. games(TM)
    Sep 24, 2015
    90
    It’s as much a part of the PlayStation legacy as Ico is, as Shadow Of The Colossus is. Its place in PlayStation legend goes beyond its similar presentation and taps into something more sublime, something more exhilarating.
    Read full review
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