Everybody loves a good Journey.

Journey is probably the most well known Indie game, and i really struggle to call it a game. It's just not a game, it is an experience, but for the sake of this review I'll just call it a game. You play as a hooded figure and simply guide him on his journey. You don't know his name, or backstory, you don't even know why he is in this vast land of fabric monsters and ruins, but you know there is a reason, and you will find it.

There is very little gameplay; only two buttons are used. You can move around, jump and make a single musical noise to communicate and that is all. There are no instructions, no map, no way points but as a gamer you will know what to do and where to go within the first few minutes of the game. After fiddling around with the controls, you will set out to find something, anything really, that tells you what to do and where to go. You will walk to the top of a nearby hill, and see a glorious mountain in the distance with an ominous glowing light, and you just know this is where to go. As you continue, your journey will have you experiencing different emotions, especially when you come across other people.

The most amazing feature of this game is coming across other people in what seems like a vast deserted land. If you are not aware that it is an online multiplayer game, you will be startled when you inevitably come across another player. Attempting to make it through this world where the only form of communication is a simple pinging noise is where the real game begins. You will have to decide whether to stick with some random player and help one another on your journey, or continue by yourself. It's always a good idea to try and stick with someone as touching them will recharge you scarf and allow you to jump and fly.

Scraps of fabric are really the only objective in this game. You will find these along the way and they are added to a scarf that hangs from your neck. These scraps of fabric appear to have more life in them than anything else in this vast world, and you are encouraged to find as many as possible. They will make your scarf longer and will allow you to fly for a short period of time, depending on how long your particular scarf is.

The story is told through images on stone ruins that you will discover along the way, and these are not accompanied by words or text, so it is left up to you as the player to interpret them in anyway you like. This game will have you using platforming skills, puzzle skills and even trial and error in some places. Nothing is overly hard, but it doesn't need to be because that's just not what the game is about.

Another great aspect of this game is the music. It is uplifting when it needs to be, and eerie when danger is lurking. Even the lack of music in some instances is just hauntingly beautiful and will bring a tear to your eye. The developers have obviously worked hard on this game to make it a true experience that you won't forgot and that you'll find yourself telling your friends about.

This game has only one downfall. It is a very short game, it can be played in one sitting which may put some people off, however it was designed this way to be an experience that occurs all at once, and i must admit it does work for this particular game.

All the different aspects of this game; the music, the simple but striking graphics, and the emotions that come with it, all make this game what it is. You will immediately fall in love with sand surfing and how the camera will turn to show you something important as you glide past with some form of epic music playing. This game is a joy to play and will most likely leave you with a tear in your eye, both from joy and sadness. If you are open to new experiences in the gaming world and want to go on a journey, you need to play this game. Once you discover this, you will soon discover a new genre and you will love it.

It has to be a 9.5/10 for me, i just wish it was slightly longer.