It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article! This is the series where we head backward in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this March 12 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re heading back 9 years to when Journey first launched. That’s March 12, 2012. Developed by Thatgamecompany and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Journey’s puzzle and platforming were made unique by the introduction of randomized co-op. After the game’s introduction, players would start to meet other anonymous players in the world. Players would have to join forces with strangers in order to progress, which made for a very interesting twist.
GameRevolution awarded Journey a 10/10 in our review, praising “the look, the feel, the presentation, the others, and the music.”
Here’s a snippet from the GR review:
JOURNEY, a downloadable PS3 game by THATGAMECOMPANY, developers of FLOWER and FL0W, manages to remain absolutely silent, and yet speaks directly to the player like no other.
You’ll go places… you’ll… uhhh, meet… Dammit! I honestly can’t say anymore without taking something away from your first playthrough of JOURNEY.
You’d pay more at the movie theater for an experience like JOURNEY. You’d pay even more for a Blu-ray you can watch over and over at home on your PS3. As a development studio, thatgamecompany has transcended the typically meaningless bullshit gamers consume on a day-to-day basis. They’ve created a piece of moving, living, breathing artwork, that tells a story, and deeply involves players in its pages.
I haven’t been more captivated by a video gaming in years. There were moments in JOURNEY that I stopped pushing the directional stick because I was too busy taking in my character’s surroundings.
Check out the Journey launch trailer below:
