That Game Company
I am a sucker for good downloadable games and when I first got my PS3, I jumped all over
Fl0w. Later, I had some extra funds and
Flower was my choice after reading such stellar reviews. Finally,
Journey has landed and I was intrigued from the get go. I had to try this out. Now, none are
games in the classic sense, but all were rather entertaining. Ultimately, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the whole lot, so here are reviews for each.
This was one of the first games I got on the PSN…you know, around launch when new consoles just don’t have a ton of stuff. It was cool and different. The Sixaxis controller was gimmicky but I thought the game was OK. Months later I went back to finish the game off and it was an OK game. It was relatively fun but nothing I had much desire to return to. After getting a bunch of trophies, I was good and haven’t touched it since.
The reviews for Flower were remarkable and the colors looked phenomenal. The game was a very cool diversion, relaxing and free. I was actually a bit bummed as the game progressed and the bright, vibrant colors progressed into a dull, dark palette. Ultimately it was a great game, something I went back to more than once (as I lost my save game) but haven’t really given the time after 100%ing the trophies. Thinking of it now, I would even play it again soon. It’s calming and soothing. The motion controls felt more natural than in Fl0w.
As the news of Journey came, it was an almost-certain purchase. I waited a bit, but upon purchasing it I wasn’t immediately sold. Every time I wanted to go back to it, it was late at night and the game promptly put me to sleep. Today I had some time and managed to finish the game. The online integration was a very interesting change. The soundtrack was one of the best in a downloadable game (nothing is going to trump Shatter) and the title was as fitting a title as any game I’ve ever played. Ultimately though, I’m unsure of how I feel about the journey. I was told I need to go through the game in one sitting and I can see the draw to that. The ambience of Journey was a unique change to the norm and there were some incredible sequences. For the $15 price tag, I don’t know if the replay value makes it worth it. Will I go back to it? Not sure. I think I will, if only just for some trophies. Beyond that though? I don’t know. I can add that the entire outro sequence was exciting and exhilarating. It was a very cool and fun portion of the game and I would go back to play this again.
So, that makes three That Game Company games. I’m enamored with one of them. The first is something I’ll almost certainly never play again. I’m still on the fence about the last one.
Bigger than replay value though, all three games are unlike anything else I have played. Barring a generally weak concept for whatever they put out next, I’ll line up to get it immediately. New and interesting ideas are always welcome and really should be supported. Sure, Uncharted, Gear Of War and all those big titles are spectacular. There’s something to say about games like these. I would recommend it…but only to a certain type of gamer. That’s not a bad thing.
