One of the most critically acclaimed videogames of all time has made its way to mobile: Journey is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
Journey first launched seven years ago on the PlayStation 3, and won all kinds of Game of the Year awards. Partly, we think, because it was so different from everything else out there.
On the surface, Journey is an adventure game with some light puzzle elements, but that description does it a real disservice. The twin strengths of the game lie in its downright beautiful landscapes, ripe for the exploring, and the fact that other real players will randomly pop into the world to join you on your quest. No words are ever exchanged, but cooperating wordlessly with an internet stranger is a strange bonding experience unlike any other.
It’s probably no coincidence that the timing of Journey’s release on iOS comes just weeks after thatgamecompany’s latest title arrived on the App Store. Sky: Children of Light shares a lot with its predecessor – gorgeous graphics and mute collaboration – but there’s a lot more flying in Sky.
We reviewed the latter favorably just last week – read more about the game here. Our only real criticism of Sky was the somewhat clumsy control scheme, though we noted that even that fails to ruin such a serenely beautiful experience. It will be interesting to see if Journey’s port to mobile comes with the same problems.
Overall, though, this is a game we can’t recommend enough. Set aside a couple of hours, stick a pair of headphones on, and get immersed. Journey is $5/£5 on the App Store, with no ads or in-app purchases.
