Journey game guide: a short wordless adventure
Also known as: Journey thatgamecompany
A guide to Journey, the wordless desert adventure by thatgamecompany: how to fly with your scarf, meeting strangers online, symbols to find and why it moves us.
- Type
- Video game
- Players
- 1–2
- First released
- 2012
- Developer
- thatgamecompany
- Publisher
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3
Journey is an adventure game developed by thatgamecompany and released in 2012 for PlayStation 3, later appearing on other systems. You play a robed traveller who wakes in a wide desert and sees a mountain with a bright light at its peak far away. There is no dialogue, no text story and no combat. The game tells its story through landscapes, music and ancient murals that hint at the history of a lost civilisation. It is short, usually finished in one evening, yet many players remember it for years. Its music, written by Austin Wintory, was celebrated, and the game is often used as an example of how games can create emotion without words.
Our verdict
Journey shows that a game can be calm, beautiful and moving without fighting or words. Meeting a stranger and travelling with them in silence creates a surprising bond. Because there is no text, it works for any language and any age. It is a good choice for players who want something meaningful in a single evening, or for introducing someone to games as an art form.
What works
- Beautiful visuals and outstanding music.
- Touching anonymous co-op with strangers.
- No language barrier: there is no text to read.
What does not
- Very short for players who want a long game.
- Little challenge for experienced players.
How to play Journey
You walk across sand, slide down dunes and explore ruins on your way to the mountain. The traveller wears a scarf that lets you jump and float through the air for a short time. Glowing symbols hidden in each area make the scarf longer, which lets you fly farther. Pieces of cloth around the world also refill your flight. A button lets you sing a short chime, which you use to activate objects and to communicate. While online, the game may connect you with another real player on the same path, but you cannot see their name or speak with them; you can only travel together, sing and help each other recharge your scarves. The world moves through several areas, from bright desert to dark tunnels and snow, with some gentle danger from flying creatures that tear your scarf.
Tips for new players
- Look for glowing symbols in every area to lengthen your scarf.
- Stay close to a companion; singing near each other refills both scarves.
- Take your time and enjoy the views; the game is short and meant to be savoured.
- Play with sound on, ideally with headphones, for the full experience.
Good for
Journey: common questions
How long does it take to finish Journey?
Most players finish Journey in one sitting of a few hours, which is part of its design.
Can you talk to other players in Journey?
No. You can only sing a musical chime. Your companion's name appears only after the credits.
Is there combat in Journey?
There is no combat. Some creatures can damage your scarf, but you can only avoid them.
Journey belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
