Indie:Beyond Journey’s pretty picture
I know a lot of gamers are going to be pretty upset with what I’m about to say but I must say it; Indie games aren’t that great where they get a free pass.
For now I’m referring to ThatGameCompany’s latest PSN game Journey, for those of you whom have not played nor purchased Journey I will tell you now, it’s not as great as everyone claims.
Indie Begins
Yes, Journey is a gorgeous game that is a feast to the eyes but, that’s about it.
The claims of it being an “emotional adventure” and an “experience that gamers shouldn’t miss” were bogus.
I felt little emotions except for when the camera pulled back to show a beautiful shot of the world, but it was nothing that I haven’t seen before in other games.
The music is great and it’s played at the perfect time, every time, the soundtrack is defiantly worth listening to.
Other than the visuals and music Journey offers close to nothing when it comes to gameplay, it’s mostly “push the left stick forward, hold X or O, win game.”
There’s no challenge to the game and there’s only one true enemy in the game so you feel no danger or a sense of “I have to play smart if I want to survive” vibe.
I’ve heard plenty of gamers whine about how easy games are to beat or how there’s no sense of suspense or story, yet people are praising the hell out of Journey.
I don’t understand why gamers feel that indie developers can get a free pass on games that they would skip if say the game was designed by EA or Activision.
If this game was released by Capcom for the same price, $14.99, gamers would have found something to cry foul about, but since it’s from an indie developer and it’s seen as an “art” game player give it a pass.
Journey’s End
I didn’t play Flower, another game from ThatGameCompany, because I felt there was no value in the game, but with Journey I wanted TGC to prove me wrong.
I went into the game excited and ready for a game to move me emotionally and/or psychologically, sadly I finished the game very disappointed and unsatisfied.
As I was finishing the game, which by the way the last section of the game is wonderfully beautiful and amazing, I thought to myself “This shouldn’t be a game; this should be a small budget indie film.”
I’m not saying I hated Journey, I’ve played games I wish never existed and Journey most certainly isn’t one of those games, what I am saying is that the game has shown me what I’ve been fearing for a while.
Gamers have gotten so jaded that games like Journey and Flower are games that people would rather play while ignoring other games because they’re “AAA big budget” games.
I would like more games that somewhat followed the Journey’s steps, only I would like it to have some replay value and a sense of purpose.
Like a lot of gamers, I’m sick of Call of Duty and bland shooters, I was hoping Journey was the cure to my fatigue but alas it was not.
Is Journey a bad game? Heavens no, not even close, it’s just an overpriced OK game that’s pretty to look at and listen to.
Video Review for Avatar Fighter- indie game review
Check out the official ThatGameCompany website for more info on the indie game Journey
I agree with what you said. I certainly agree it is overpriced too.
I would like more games that somewhat followed the Journey’s steps, only I would like it to have some replay value and a sense of purpose.
Entirely subjective. I understand why you were disappointed by the game — despite being a huge fan of the game, I realize it’s not for everybody, and its price is more than open to debate as well. I do think though that you can’t place lack of replay value and sense of purpose as Journey’s flaws because if you cast around, there are legions of fans who’ve played it dozens of times now, who find that each replay has a sense of purpose. The game has both, but it’s just not the kind that you prefer, which is perfectly fine. For instance, I cannot stand the endless fetching errands that are common in most roleplaying games; I can’t think of a more boring thing to do. I wouldn’t say that it’s a flaw though because that’s actually a feature of the genre — a feature I loathe, but a great selling feature to gamers who aren’t me. And as much as I hate it, it has its purpose.
Many of your criticisms of Journey are valid. I don’t share your opinions, but I understand why the game’s features would annoy a whole lot of people. I concede the point about replay value as well — I’ve played it at least 7 times by now, each experience a different one, but different strokes and all that because I also understand why people would only play it once. However, to paint the game as being without purpose, that I find unfair. It does have a purpose but it’s just not one you find interesting. That’s cool! Say it’s boring, say you hated it, say it’s overrated and overpriced mediocre crap and I would have no issues with it. But without purpose? That I passionately disagree with.