The question of whether or not video games should be considered art has been a topic of debate for years. Recently, film critic Roger Ebert wrote an article about it called “Video Games can never be art.” This view is understandable based on the constant stream of violent, bland and loud shooters that major game studios pump out every month.
“Journey,” the latest game from independent video game company thatgamecompany, sets out to prove Ebert wrong. Everything from the haunting score to the astounding visuals make this little game an unquestionable work of art.
You play as a nameless robed figure, walking in an endless desert. Unlike other games, which use their big budgets to fill the screens with all kinds of visuals, the world in “Journey” is very barren. Players have to travel long distances before they are given things to interact with. This sounds boring, but it’s not. The movement in the game is so fluid and responsive, and the way the character moves and slides across the sand dunes to the epic music is endlessly entertaining.
Figuring out how to play the game is half the fun. You are given no instruction other than you can move with one joystick and change the camera angle by rotating the controller. As you travel, you come across small floating pieces of fabric, which allow you to fly temporarily. As you move through the game, your character’s scarf lengthens, allowing you to fly longer.
One of the most interesting elements of the game is its innovative approach to multiplayer. At certain key points in the game, another cloaked wanderer will appear in the desert. There is no way to interact with the other player vocally or through text, and the player’s name is never shown. You can choose to work together to solve puzzles, or you can ignore each other completely. This is a fascinating way to play a game with somebody because you end up forming a sort of bond with a complete stranger as you explore the game together.
Revealing any more of the gameplay would spoil the sense of exploration and wonder of the game, which is half the fun. The game is about two-to-three hours long and can be played in one sitting. It costs $14.99 in the PS3 Marketplace, which is a little more than a movie ticket. However, unlike watching a movie, you will leave this game with a sense of wonder and a feeling that you just accomplished a feat. In other words, it will feel like you’ve been on a journey.
