Journey

[_EAllusion]

Journey is a deeply impressive, minimalist video game that came out last year. If you haven't played it, I give it my highest recommendation.

One of the interesting things about the game is numerous players describe it as a spiritual experience. Players without any irony talk about crying at the end and moments in the game changing their outlook on life.

The game was designed with all sorts of tricks to emotionally resonate with players on an intimate level. Without spoiling the content, it's set up like a Campbell monomyth. It, on occasion, hits notes that simply feel profound. If anyone felt the need to argue that video games aren't art, this one would top my rebuttal list.

What's fascinating to me is how obviously it has been constructed to produce experiences that resonate, for some as spiritual, epiphanic like moments, yet that does not change their reality. It makes me think of a future religion that produces the mystical experience not through music or fasting or prayer or sleep deprivation, but through popping in an interactive game.

[_bcspace]

Got it bundled with Flower and Flow. A very nice set to have as indie minimalist games go.

[_Gadianton]

Journey is a deeply impressive, minimalist video game that came out last year. If you haven't played it, I give it my highest recommendation.

One of the interesting things about the game is numerous players describe it as a spiritual experience. Players without any irony talk about crying at the end and moments in the game changing their outlook on life.

The game was designed with all sorts of tricks to emotionally resonate with players on an intimate level. Without spoiling the content, it's set up like a Campbell monomyth. It, on occasion, hits notes that simply feel profound. If anyone felt the need to argue that video games aren't art, this one would top my rebuttal list.

What's fascinating to me is how obviously it has been constructed to produce experiences that resonate, for some as spiritual, epiphanic like moments, yet that does not change their reality. It makes me think of a future religion that produces the mystical experience not through music or fasting or prayer or sleep deprivation, but through popping in an interactive game.

I used to like immersive games like Half Life, Riven etc., but haven't played a game in years. Would you say this is a good game for a kid? 9-12 range? thinking it might work as a birthday present. Preferably non-violent.

I read about the game a little, the director doesn't appear to have any kind of religious background. It's amazing someone can simply go to computer school, not have much interest in humanities or religion, and produce something that creates a religious experience for people. It kinda tells you what a crock religion is.

[_Kishkumen]

I read about the game a little, the director doesn't appear to have any kind of religious background. It's amazing someone can simply go to computer school, not have much interest in humanities or religion, and produce something that creates a religious experience for people. It kinda tells you what a crock religion is.

This post threw me into a laughter reaching the point of tears. Thanks, Dean.

[_schreech]

Just make sure you don't stop believin' and, whatever you do, always try to hold onto that feeling!

[_EAllusion]

I used to like immersive games like Half Life, Riven etc., but haven't played a game in years. Would you say this is a good game for a kid? 9-12 range? thinking it might work as a birthday present. Preferably non-violent.

Hmmm. It's definitely non-violent. It's also abstract and short enough that I'm not sure a 9-12 year old is going to get enough out of it. It's beautiful, but appreciation for that is going to require some intellectual development I'm not sure your average 9 year old has.

I got a copy of Ulysses when I was that age. I could read it, sure, but that was a terrible gift.

I read about the game a little, the director doesn't appear to have any kind of religious background. It's amazing someone can simply go to computer school, not have much interest in humanities or religion, and produce something that creates a religious experience for people. It kinda tells you what a crock religion is.

Heh.

[_zeezrom]

I love the graphics seen in the screen captures.

[_Josh Seconal]

I used to play it all the time. They had it at 7-11 when I was a teenager, and I used to spend large amounts of money on it. My favorite part to play is Steve Smith, where you bounce around on the drums. It's definitely a challenging game, but loads of fun.



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