Journey really was the conceptual apotheosis of ThatGameCompany and everything the alumni have made since has been more or less a total dead end huh :( The few new ideas here (mmo-esque interactions and gacha game purchases) feel totally confused or spiritually incongruous w/ the intended vibe of playful communalism. "journey but in the clouds and you're like a toddler maybe" does not make for a very compelling new identity. Pretty but unsurprising, and so slight.

also as someone who has vibed considerably with the "graphically-stylized culturally ambiguous traveler(s) tenderly exploring the ancient ruins and uncovering lost secrets in glowy wall frescoes" genre: can we pls do something the fuck else