journey game review
Test: Journey: Resumption of a new generation journey
Since the PlayStation 4 does not seem to decide to stop hosting the catalog of its elder in editions that do justice to the new machine from Sony, as much as it is dedicated to selecting the best. After the recent (and successful) remaster of God of War 3, goodbye violence and hello contemplation with this new generation Journey.
What does this new version bring compared to the old one?
As you might expect, Journey on PS4 is no different in substance from the PlayStation 3 version in substance. In terms of form, no big surprises: the transition to 1080p helped make the game thinner, more beautiful than it already was, while the 60 fps logically offer it more fluidity. The opportunity is therefore excellent to discover the game if it was not already done, or even to rediscover it since the title takes advantage of the cross-buy functionality and will therefore be free on PS4 if you already have it on PS3.
JOURNEY ORIGINAL TEST
The visuals are from the PS4 version
After discovering the abyssal depths with FlOw, then the tribulations of a multitude of petals in Flower, it is a real journey that Sony and Thatgamecompany invite you on PSN. Journey indeed offers an original initiatory adventure which will in no case leave the player indifferent.
We remember, the two previous titles presented by the studio already offered gaming experiences with simple gameplay and accessible to all, trying above all to arouse emotion in the player, who sometimes has a heart of stone. Journey closes the contract between Sony and Thatgamecompany (which therefore involved three games), and the developers plan to keep the same recipe for this final, still available for download on PSN. In order not to drown the player under a flood of information which would undoubtedly take away any impression of immersion, the interface is once again very refined. The main menu just invites you to start a new journey, then it's up to you.
AN EVERYDAY TREATMENT FOR THE EYES
The images published before the release of the game have largely shown it: we begin the adventure in the middle of a desert environment, with sand as far as the eye can see. Your character, covered from head to toe with a sort of dark red burqa, here only looks like a very frail silhouette, facing the immensity of this hostile, but splendid universe. Because this is what grabs the player from the start: visually, the software is sumptuous, and this impression will continue to be renewed throughout the adventure, over the environments, very varied, breathtaking backgrounds, and crying light effects. Just for this artistic success, Journey must be discovered. But let's go back to the beginning of our adventure. We explain it to you very quickly, you can control the camera with the Sixaxis, or with the right stick.
This one will undoubtedly quickly be favored by the player, who will then try to advance and discover his environment by moving from dune to dune and from ruin to ruin. Indeed, since no indication is given to us, intuition takes over, and we therefore always head towards the elements of the decor that stand out more than the others. We will quickly come across a few glowing glyphs, which dot most of Journey's environments. These allow to enlarge a kind of cloth scarf worn by our character, which gives him the ability to perform jumps, or even to fly for a few moments. This flight time is precisely determined by the length of the scarf, which must also be illuminated to be of any use. In short, it discharges when used, and will therefore need to be recharged, which is done automatically when approaching "gathering of flying tissue", also scattered in the decor.
This aspect of the gameplay is important, since it facilitates movement and gives access to certain platforms that are less accessible than others. Later, when our journey is well underway, we will sometimes soar automatically, using giant banners flying with the wind, and which will allow us to reach impressive heights. Yes, but where to go? The desert being particularly inhospitable, our attention will turn to a distant mountain that we can barely make out at the start of our journey, before it becomes much sharper, as we progress.
TRAVEL ALONE ... OR ACCOMPANIED
Between each level, always devoting themselves to a distinct environment (various parts of the desert, the mountain and its very perilous ascent ...), brief cinematics address the background of the title, which however remains always a little mysterious. Regardless, it does not really hold the first place, it is here the trip that matters, not its goal. And since loneliness could quickly weigh you down, Journey lets you meet a companion on your way. This automatically appears in a specific place in your progress, provided your console is connected to the Internet. You are free to ignore this second silhouette, which is completely identical to you, and to continue the journey alone, but you would then be depriving yourself of some of the emotions that the developers wish to convey with Journey.
Because if, when we try the journey with two, the possibilities are not increased tenfold, it still brings another dimension to the experience that we are living, and now sharing. Faced with a hostile universe, we will tend to get closer to our partner, and to communicate with him. Not by a voice chat - absent from the game because it would obviously break this dear immersion - but more simply by a series of sounds, sometimes triggering a small wave to attract the attention of our friend. By getting closer to each other, we also “recharge” our famous scarf, so that we can hover a little more. The feeling of solidarity is at its peak when we approach the top of this famous mountain, and the weather conditions deteriorate further, plunging us into the heart of an impressive snowstorm, to freeze the blood ... As much to say clearly, the latest addition to thatgamecompany manages to amaze or move the player, during these two to three hours of play conducted at a breakneck pace. We are offered a poetic experience worthy of the name, which however does not try to reach the heights by delivering complex gameplay and deep narration. No, Journey rather manages to touch your playing heart by distilling universal and primitive emotions, carried by a visually stunning universe and enchanting music. A trip not to be missed.
Good points
Aesthetically splendid
Intoxicating soundtrack
Certain phases of play frankly to fall
The cross-buy function: the free PS4 version if you already have it on PS3
Negative points
Very short (between 1h30 and 3h maximum)
Thatgamecompany concludes its exclusive foray into PSN in the most beautiful way, by offering Journey, a new video game UFO with devastating charm. By once again using simple mechanisms accessible to all, the developers renew their prowess, thereby delivering a poetic experience masterfully carried out. The journey is certainly short, but the success is total, the game immersing you directly in the heart of its chiadé universe, carried by sumptuous graphics and enchanting music. By sharing this experience with a second player, met at random, the feelings felt are further reinforced. An experience not to be missed! The PS4 edition is finer thanks to 1080p, more fluid with the 60 fps on the clock and the cross-buy functionality will allow you to play the title for free on PS4 if you own the game on PS3, a great way to rediscover this artistic gem.
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