The Sojourn

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. PLAY! Zine
    Dec 2, 2019
    70
    First-person puzzle platformer resembling the much-loved Portal, but lacking in storytelling and replayability value.
  2. DarkStation
    Oct 16, 2019
    70
    The Sojourn is a beautiful game with numerous extremely clever puzzles but it has a hard time balancing its story and difficulty curve. I honestly wish I liked this game more than I did. It has a lot going for it, but if I hadn’t been reviewing it, I would not have made it to the end. Though seemingly inspired by some of the best games ever, The Sojourn falters in its ambition. On the other hand, if you like first-person puzzle games and want to stare at something incredibly pretty for a while, you could do a lot worse than The Sojourn.
  3. GameCritics
    Oct 7, 2019
    70
    While the merits and the story are shallow and uninteresting, the gameplay’s failure to integrate with them reduces them to superfluous trappings that can mostly be ignored. This leaves the focus squarely on the puzzles, and it’s here that The Sojourn almost hits the mark. Although they don’t fully reach their potential, the levels are at times deep and fascinating — and neither of those words could apply to the script.
  5. Push Square
    Sep 19, 2019
    70
    A few hours in, you'll likely find yourself scratching your head as seemingly impossible puzzles best you. This can naturally be frustrating, especially as you move so slowly, but you'll feel like a genius once everything clicks. Many stages have optional bonus challenges once you solve them, earning you collectable scrolls complete with philosophical mumbo-jumbo. The main story is more interesting, told wordlessly through a series of dioramas, but it's the puzzles themselves that will keep you playing. It's not exactly original, but The Sojourn is a solid puzzler with well designed levels and some nice ideas.
  6. Wccftech
    Sep 27, 2019
    65
    The Sojourn is the equivalent of one of those big books of crosswords you can buy at the supermarket check-out. Its puzzles are well-constructed and provide a nice mental workout, but they’re all rather one-note, and the game’s world is dry as toast. If you’re a hardcore puzzle nerd, give The Sojourn a shot, but those expecting to be taken on a deeper journey may be disappointed.
  7. 4P.de
    Sep 27, 2019
    65
    If you like games like The Witness, The Talos Principle or Obduction, this solid puzzle-adventure might scratch your itch.
  8. Game Informer
    Sep 24, 2019
    65
    The Sojourn accomplishes some cool moments, but the space between them is dull, leaving you stranded in a sterile world with a predictable rhythm.
  9. VideoGamer
    Sep 23, 2019
    60
    The Sojourn is a well-made puzzle game with a firm challenge and fresh mechanics layered in throughout, but the symbolism draped over it all is vague and boring.
  10. Screen Rant
    Sep 19, 2019
    60
    The Sojourn is a first-person puzzle game with surprisingly difficult brain teasers wrapped in artsy, ethereal graphics, that are not rewarding enough.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 25
  3. Negative: 8 out of 25
  1. GamerGuysNGals
    Sep 30, 2019
    10
    "Sojourn"

    Reviewed by Ken Lutes (PS4 version.) Developer: Shifting Tides Publisher: Iceberg Interactive Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One    "Sojourn"

    Reviewed by Ken Lutes
    (PS4 version.)
    Developer: Shifting Tides
    Publisher: Iceberg Interactive
    Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

    Hey all, it's your friendly neighborhood PS4 guy. With a tale of a journey that you have to take yourself to understand.

    Do you like profound philosophy? Do you like puzzles? Perhaps, you are more about the journey than the destination.

    Sojourn is a game unlike any other I have played before now. In fact, words, don't seem to fit what I have been experiencing well I have been playing it. I will try to illustrate what I can going forward from here. Firstly sojourn is a puzzle game that will immediately strike your eyes with it's a colorful world of stunning visuals that are nothing short of breathtaking for a non-AAA or game for that matter. It encourages exploration within the challenge and readily gives you all of the tools you need as you need them. The main mechanic and the one you are introduced to first is the dark world granting a bulk of your solving tools. There is more to it in a sense , in a way it is showing you the duality of life itself as the world and what you can do changes during use of the dark world. Thankfully even though your time is short here it is measured in steps not time itself. The puzzles involve many unique obstacles such as switching places with a statue or the world itself changing in the darkness. Though provoking idioms are given with statues in a way telling a story. this comes about as you go through your journey of puzzles. Punishment is not something that really occurs with failure at most having to start your puzzle over, remember it's about the journey " if you try to go to the moon and simply follow the stars you will lose your way" in other words be mindful of the journey itself. Sojurn is a simple beauty with a depth not easily explained, it is very much so something that needs to be experienced to believe. I often found myself not sure how I felt but realized "I need to keep going" or just autonomously moving forward fixated on the "now" the music is soft and follows the feeling of peace yet focused. The puzzles themselves progress naturally with a perfect balance of learning curve and challenge. You will find yourself compelled to move forward or to not give up on progressing, maybe it's more so questioning? Often times with the intermissions between challenges you will become more curious and provoked to ask what the deeper meaning is here. I could continue on and try to describe this more however, this is an experience simply to rare for words. One I shall not drown in a quagmire of a rant but allow you to go forth on your own journey.

    Pros:
    Delightful to the eyes

    A simple yet elegant score

    Perfectly balanced puzzles

    Cons:
    There truly is nothing negative, you may augure the narrative is confusing. That in and of itself is one of Sojourns many charms in all honesty.

    With this all said I give this game a final rating of:

    10/10

    Sojourn is a unique journey that has really captured something special. I imagine the experience to be akin to the wonder of the legend that is Myst when it first came out. I would be so as bold to say this is the second coming of such an adventure.    … Full Review »
  2. bergcamp1001
    Jun 26, 2023
    7
    It's a nice puzzle game, not short enough, which i good. Mechanics are also satisfying, which is also good.
  3. eXoFrey
    Jan 3, 2021
    10
    The music is beautiful and the game really brings you into this peaceful type of sanctuary where you are slowly discovering hints about howThe music is beautiful and the game really brings you into this peaceful type of sanctuary where you are slowly discovering hints about how the main story goes throughout the different levels. The puzzles are not to hard, but most of them are not so easy as well. The difficulty of this game is just perfectly set. You really feel proud of yourself when you succeed through the game. If you want to relax, work your brain and encourage an independent gaming company, this game is worth the try!… Full Review »
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