Journey

[Ink Asylum]

Nice. I haven't had a one-companion playthrough yet, but I'll keep trying.

I played last night and the first companion I ran across had white robes and spent some time leading me to the secret symbols and teaching me some shortcuts. In particular, I learned that if two players stay close together and sing while flying you can fly REALLY far before your energy runs out. We used that to clear the early ribbon-bridge area without making a single bridge.

Something I noticed last night that I thought was a nice touch: When you're in the snow area you can't sing louder than a quick chirp.

[OldJadedGamer]

I got the companion trophy last night too on my third playthrough. I might run through again this weekend.

[Badger]

This game is genuinely beautiful, in a soul-touching, innocent and expertly-crafted manner that I would normally only associate with a Studio Ghibli production.

This paragraph was going to be written like a high-school love letter to the devs, but I'll spare you the mushy sonnet as you've probably all made your minds up on Journey already. What I will say is that I wouldn't hesitate to spend the money on a good, couple of hours long film. I wouldn't hesitate to spend it on a round of drinks. I have literally spent the same amount of money this week on wiper blade refills that don't even fit in my existing fucking wipers, which I only discovered after dismantling them and shredding my fingers.

Journey is £10 well spent.

[National Kato]

Originally Posted by Ink Asylum

An awesome comic about Journey. Hidden for spoilers.

That exact experience happened to me.

The partner I had journeyed with from the first sand bridge area through to the snowy mountaintop...I had lost him once while trying to cross that frozen ribbon bridge in the snow. I waited for him for about ten minutes until he showed up again.

Then we entered that snowy expanse with the serpent. He was spotted and carried off by the beast. I waited, singing plaintively, hoping he would find his way back to me...but after another ten minutes I realized he was gone. I had to finish this journey alone.

Part of me wishes there was more at the end to help explain the culture/world/experience, but maybe nothing they could write would satisfy me so it's better that it's such a blank canvas.

[Ink Asylum]

Can you actually be killed in Journey?

[maharahaj]

I beat this last night in one, 1.5 hour session. I had a total of 10 different companions. Some towards the beginning of the game were hell-bent on doing things on their own, but by the time I got to the underground temple level, my partner and I were more often than not side by side. At the top of the snow level, we collapsed in tandem.

My favorite level, by far, is the level before the temple where you surf the sand. Then the camera pans 90 degrees to the side and your surfing in platform mode with the sun glare in the distance.

I only got 5 of the trophies, so I'll have plenty of incentive to go back and get the rest. No reason why I can't 100% this game like I did Flower.

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by maharahaj

I beat this last night in one, 1.5 hour session. I had a total of 10 different companions. Some towards the beginning of the game were hell-bent on doing things on their own, but by the time I got to the underground temple level, my partner and I were more often than not side by side. At the top of the snow level, we collapsed in tandem.

My favorite level, by far, is the level before the temple where you surf the sand. Then the camera pans 90 degrees to the side and your surfing in platform mode with the sun glare in the distance.

I only got 5 of the trophies, so I'll have plenty of incentive to go back and get the rest. No reason why I can't 100% this game like I did Flower.

Sand level is my favorite too.

[Gwinny]

Originally Posted by Ink Asylum

Can you actually be killed in Journey?

I was wondering, too. My partner and I both got hit by the beast once or twice and our scarves got shorter. Maybe if you lose the entire thing it's a game over?

[National Kato]

Originally Posted by Ink Asylum

Can you actually be killed in Journey?

I don't know. I only ever got my scarf down to a small flap.

I've also thought about the list of companions I had at the end of my game: it listed eight. But it felt like I had only seen/accompanied two during the entire game. One had to at least have been with me for several levels...but what if when you transition levels the game matches you with someone new?

Otherwise, where were the other five companions in my playthrough?

[Primus]

You can't die in journey, only lose your scarf, restricting your mobility.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Originally Posted by National Kato

I don't know. I only ever got my scarf down to a small flap.

I've also thought about the list of companions I had at the end of my game: it listed eight. But it felt like I had only seen/accompanied two during the entire game. One had to at least have been with me for several levels...but what if when you transition levels the game matches you with someone new?

Otherwise, where were the other five companions in my playthrough?

There might have been people who joined your play session while you were around that you never saw or they quit out. I've been playing before and thought I was alone only to see a tiny little traveler zooming around in the distance. Or seeing the faint white on the screen when they've max chirped.

[Squidbot]

Good lord, what an astonishing game! I am in love.

[Squidbot]

Wow, that was incredible. Journey just entered my top ten all time games. Mrs Squid was giggling as I was talking to the flying guys that accompany you throughout the journey. She came and watched as I made the final ascent.
Utterly fantastic game.

Originally Posted by maharahaj

My favorite level, by far, is the level before the temple where you surf the sand. Then the camera pans 90 degrees to the side and your surfing in platform mode with the sun glare in the distance.

Definitely.

[National Kato]

Originally Posted by Pale Ale

Man I was hopping around, sniffing out orbs and puzzle pieces. On the half completed bridge I spy movement. He jumps and completes my friggin puzzle.

That happened to me in the first puzzle area. I was really upset about it for a bit, but that emotion left me once I found a companion to solve the later puzzles with together.

[OldJadedGamer]

Going for playthrough #4 tonight. How many have you guys gone through?

[danhoo]

Originally Posted by OldJadedGamer

Going for playthrough #4 tonight. How many have you guys gone through?

3 playthroughs so far. It's kinda odd, in the last two playthroughs:

On the last section I always seem to lose my partner -- I lose track of him/her and end up at the top alone. I'll wait around for a bit just in case, but both times, nothing.

[Badger]

Finished my 4th journey at the weekend, and polished off the last trophy, a lot tougher than it sounds: don't play for a week.

Managed to get the one companion playthrough with my friend a week ago, but spent hours trying to sync up again, to no avail. Instead, I ended up playing with a new robed pilgrim and helping them find some of the harder glyphs and walls.

Now I want to go back and speedrun it! Anyone down for a Journey hot-lap table?

[Ink Asylum]

How did you manage to play it with a friend?

[OldJadedGamer]

Originally Posted by Badger

Finished my 4th journey at the weekend, and polished off the last trophy, a lot tougher than it sounds: don't play for a week.

Set your PS3 clock ahead. The hardest for me was meditating with someone else.

[Badger]

We basically brute-forced the game by starting a level at the same time until we synced. We described our symbols so we knew who to look for and communicated over Google hangout.

Like I said, after an hour of trying we couldn't get it to work a second time.