Journey review: A capital venture

But in the distance, approaching a menacing tower in the midst of a thunderstorm, I stumbled on another red-robed, flowing-caped wanderer.This unknown friend looked just like me. We could communicate, but only though in-game shouts, a long or short pulse emitted from our bodies. That was a good enough reason to stick together.

This was not an AI-controlled character. Journey provides multiplayer support by dropping other players into your game without your knowledge. There's no message that pops up, no on-screen indicator showing their user name. You can't voice chat with them. And all of these limitations are brilliant.

Journey creates a cohesive world. A friend's yammering about the raise they didn't get, or worse, a random tween blathering about the trophies they haven't earned so far, would ruin that immersion. By limiting interactions between players, Journey developers thatgamecompany have found a way for everyone to get along. There's no way to grief other players in Journey. The worst you could do is continually shout next to another player, but that gives them more energy. It's asshole-proof.

My silent friend and I climbed the menacing tower, using our shouts to guide one another in the right direction. Once at the top, we slid down a massive slope of loose sand, playful music lightening the mood of the harrowing task before us. We made it to the bottom safely, and my friend paused sat down in the shade. He needed a rest, but I was ready to push forward. So I did, leaving him to find his own adventure. I've never had a better multiplayer experience with a random player in my life.