Taking the Journey Again

I played Journey when it was originally released on PlayStation 3 back in 2012 and found it to be mesmerizing. I only played it once, though, as I didn't want that experience to be tarnished by going back through it again. I had the perfect idea of what it meant to me and I never wanted that to change, even though I was tempted to play it again on multiple occasions. Journey was recently released on PS4 (complete with a higher resolution and a better frame rate) and I decided it was as good a time as ever to go back and experience it once again.

Like my first play-through, I completed the PS4 version of Journey in one sitting. I think that's it appeals to me so much; it's a game that doesn't require too much effort or take up too much of your time, but still manages to feel complete. Journey can be completed in about 90 minutes, but not a single second is wasted. Every vista, puzzle, and set piece is different from the last. It's just so complete.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more relaxing game on any console. Just watching your character glide over the endless desert dunes is so strangely therapeutic, as is discovering all of the hidden secrets Thatgamecompany has scattered throughout the world. If there was ever a game that could be prescribed as a treatment for stress, this is it.

Even if you haven't played Journey, chances are you've heard of its soundtrack. It's one of the best in video games, and was even nominated for a Grammy, the first video game soundtrack to do so. It just meshes so well with the visual style of the game. It's one of the few game soundtracks I own and listen to all of the time. But don't take my word for it; you can listen to the game's best track here.

Playing through Journey again didn't diminish the feeling of discovery or wonder I had when I first played it. In fact, it made me appreciate it more and I plan on playing through it again a few more times. It's one of those rare games that gets better each time you play it, as you discover more and more about its world and story. So if you haven't played through it before, I implore that you do so as soon as possible. And, even if you've taken this journey once or multiple times, do so again (it's free on PS4 to those who have purchased in before). It's the perfect way to spend a few hours and unwind, and just get lost in its wonder.