I had, of course, been hearing of Journey since my entry into the gaming world in 2015, and though I had always planned to play it, the one who truly brought it to my attention was my best friend. I’m certain it was one of our first conversations about video games after we met; “Have you played Journey? You haven’t? Oh my gosh, you have to play Journey!” Even then I said of course I would, but three years passed without honoring that, despite the game sitting in my Steam library. I just never found the right moment. Surely, it was coming.
Just a few days into 2024, the first new year after moving across the country alone to chase something I dream of, my best friend and I were staying at my childhood home on the water. It was one of the few annual times we are able to see each other in person, and we had much to do. But in the middle of the night, we found ourselves hooking up my Steam Deck to the TV’s HDMI. With the faint sound of the crashing waves outside the window, we sat on the title screen of a game called Journey. It was a New Years’ game, my friend said.
Journey’s story is not one that can be told in any other medium. In 2012, ThatGameCompany figured out what the industry has been grappling with before and since; how to tell a story only a video game can tell.
Journey is a game accessible to nearly everyone, playable for those who have been gaming since their childhoods to those holding a controller for the first time. It’s not difficult, it’s not overwhelming, it doesn’t even speak a single word. Your fellow travelers could be anyone, from anywhere, and everyone will share the same experience. The only thing Journey asks of the player, and of the medium of gaming, is connection- the physical and emotional connection between the player and the traveler. Simple as that is, it is integral to Journey’s identity and impact. And video games are the only medium that can provide the connection needed. Journey triumphs in its simplicity, and approaches the medium of gaming with that same outlook. And it’s rewarded for it, time and time again.
That’s why it is impossible to look upon Journey without looking at yourself and your time with it. It’s why I hesitate to call this a review of any kind. I don’t know if it’s possible, for myself at least, to look at Journey through a completely objective lens. And even if you could, I think that’s missing the point. Your personal connection with this game is what makes it so beautiful. Journey trusts that, through our eyes, a game about nothing can become a game about everything. This is where the beauty of the nothingness in Journey lies.

__ this was adapted from a full review of Journey I wrote for my blog

Celeste is one of the best 2D platformers ever made, with challenging yet rewarding gameplay, a stunning soundtrack, gorgeous pixel art, and a story that connected with me so deeply that I believe it truly changed my life. There is so much to say about this game that has already been said in a million better, more thoughtful ways. The blending of level design and narrative leaves such a strong impression on those willing to engage with this game’s message, that it’s no wonder so many people hold this game so close to their heart.
Though my experience with the base game has stood the test of time, my feelings about the Farewell chapter have soured over the years since its addition. The final chapter of such an impactful tale being locked behind a difficulty curve so extreme that I physically can not overcome, while rewarding for those who can, was an unfortunate finale to an otherwise beautiful, perfect game.

I played this game side by side with my best friend, who had already played it and was adamant on me experiencing it too. I had the most wonderful few hours immersing myself in this beautifully crafted world and its gentle yet impactful storytelling. The music and art direction is truly fantastic, and the game handles its delicate, somewhat nebulous narrative with grace and respect, leaving me thinking even after the credits rolled. This is a game that anyone with an open mind should experience.