PS3 Journey Collection

--note before I start the review--The games themselves are on the disc, but they have to be installed onto the PS3 in order to play them. Be sure to have around 2GB of free space on the hard drive, if you want to install them all. The soundtracks are also on the disc, but they have to be exported onto the hard drive. From there you can download them onto a flash drive, (or, with one of the early PS3s, an SD card).--Review for Journey: Collector's Edition--I'll do a review for each game first, then I'll finish with a review of the Collector's Edition bonus content.*Flow*This game has you start as a basic microscopic organism. Using the Dualshock 3 controllers Sixaxis technology, you will move around eating food and attacking other microscopic organisms, as you dive deeper down into this unknown cesspool.The Sixaxis motion controls can be a little disorienting at first, but after playing around with it for 5 minutes, they will become second nature. From there, the game flows (pun not intended) pretty smoothly. Using what the developers call "Dynamic Difficulty", you can adjust the difficulty of the game to your liking. There are these two special kinds of food, "Up food" and "Down food", that takes you into shallower or deeper levels, receptively. The deeper you go, the more difficult the game becomes, but by eating the Up food, you can return to previous levels, beating enemies and eating more food to grow more segments (segments are basically units of health). This will make the deeper levels easier, but if you forego from eating food, you won't grow any segments, making the deeper levels harder, as enemies make short work of you. This is an interesting addition to gameplay, and makes for some good replay value.There are five campaigns, and the credits, to play through, each played by a different creature. Each creature has different abilities, which help keep the game fresh and interesting. The visuals still hold up pretty well today. They are colorful and vibrant. The soundtrack is amazing, and blends well with the game itself. As you eat certain food, the segments on your creatures body pulsates, adding a tune that is in accordance with the music that is playing. All in all, the game will take 1-2 hours to complete, with another hour or so if you're going for the trophies. It is a short, but fun experience, and is a great addition to this collection.*Flower*This is a truly unique one-of-a-kind experience you'll find only from Thatgamecompany. You start off in this bleak room with a flower pot. By using the sixaxis controls to move over the flower pot and holding a button, you will be whisked away to a lush green field. From there, by controlling a single petal with the wind, you must collect more petals from the flowers strewn across the landscape. Doing so will unlock more areas and cutscenes. The game is separated into six areas of which I won't spoil. It's better if you don't know them beforehand :)The sixaxis controls in this game are amazing. The game wouldn't be the same if it used the analog sticks instead. The animation, the visuals, and the soundtrack are all great, and they work in unison to create such a unique and compelling experience. As you move over each flower, they make a sound in accordance to the background music. This makes the soundtrack that much more immersive. The animation and the visuals are still good to this day. They work well to bring this game to life.It is an emotional and relaxing experience from beginning to end. It is an artistic masterpiece come to life. It will change your view of what games are and what they can be. Ultimately, words don't do this game justice. You are going to have to experience it first hand to truly appreciate what it has to offer. If you are looking for something different, something that you likely haven't experienced in a game before, then this is for you.*Journey*You start off as a robed figure in the middle of a desert. You must go through this desert looking for clues on how a civilization of similar robed figures met their end, and to eventually reach the mountain that looms in the distance throughout the entire game. This is ultimately a "hero's journey" from the hero's "Birth" and through different parts of his/her life.The graphics in this game are great. Foregoing the more realistic style Flower had, Journey goes for a more impressionistic art style. This gives it a more fantasy, dream-like, feel. The graphics really work well to pull you into the game world, as if your experiencing this first hand. You will have fun sliding down desert dunes, flying high above the sand, and just exploring and finding secret areas in the game.This game wouldn't be complete without a compelling soundtrack, and, the game's composer, Austin Wintory delivers it in spades. It's dynamic when it needs to be, and more subdued when the game calls for it. It helps compliment each aspect of the game, and sets the mood for each part. It helps you become even further immersed into the game. It's nice to see this Collector's Edition come with a downloadable version of the soundtrack, because it's a great edition to anyone's music collection.This game is Thatgamecompanys first attempt on online multiplayer, and, in my opinion, one of the best online experiences I have ever had. Just don't expect the traditional experience online multiplayer, because, just like this game, it is entirely unique. As you travel across the game world, you might encounter other players without any indication that they have showed up. If you want, you could completely ignore them, moving along by yourself. If you choose to join them, you can let them know where you are with your call (hold down the circle button) or you can just walk up to them. You won't be able to see their PSN ID, and you can't chat with them through a typical in game chat. Their, and your, only identification is a unique symbol seen when one lets out a call. Instead of the typical chat systems most games employ, you communicate through your calls and your characters movements. This works surprisingly well, as they help you find secrets throughout the game, and vice versa, as you both work together to get through the game. Even though you can't communicate through words, you both form a bond that trancends language. Also, at the end of the game, you can see the PSN ID of each person you met, appearing right next to their unique symbols :)Just like Flower, Thatgamecompany continues their tradition of making games that flies in the face of traditional game design. You will be hard pressed to find a similar experience in another game, except maybe Flower. And just like Flower, it is an artistic masterpiece come to life. It's a game that makes you think even after the experience has ended. Just like the game is about a hero's life journey, it might make you contemplate about your own. Again, it's a game that words don't do it justice. If you are looking for something different, this is a game for you.*Journey: Collector's Edition Bonus content*From Developer's commentaries of the three games, to a 30 min documentary of Journey, a Flower Developer Diary, concept art and screenshots, three minigames and the game soundtracks, there is plenty here for the fans to enjoy. It is all accessible from the games menus.The menus themselves are pretty basic. Each menu looping video of the game in action, and the different options displayed on the right hand corner. Nothing special. The problem is that each videos controls are very minimal. You can pause, turn on/off subtitles, fast forward to another chapter, and exit out of the video playing. Also, there is no interface or menu within the videos themselves, so I had to guess which button does what, not to mention there is no telling how much time each video lasts or how much is remaining. Scrolling through the concept art is a bit annoying as well, but you can actually export the art to your Picture section on your PS3, making it much easier to manage. If only you can do the same thing with the videos :P It is a bit of an annoyance, but not big enough to ruin this package.Each Developer's commentary is a video of one of the Developers playing through the game, while the other developers talk about it. They give you a bit of insight into the development of each game and some of their own personal experiences with each game. It is interesting to hear their thoughts, and makes you appreciate the games even more. The commentaries lasts as long as an entire playthrough of each game, so they are basically about 1 hour to an hour and 30 mins. The Journey documentary explores the development behind the game. You will see early designs of the game and it's main character. You will hear how the soundtrack came together. They also explain a little about the story of the game, among other things. It gives you a greater appreciation of the game, and for the developers who made it.The concept art and screenshots are great, with hundreds of images to look through. The soundtracks are amazing. There is likely some tracks you will be listening to over and over again. Once they are exported to your PS3, you can put them on a flash drive and download them to your mp3 player, CDs, etc. so you can listen to them while on the go.The three minigames are games from Thatgamecompany's 24 hour game jams. They basically give their employees 24 hours to create a game from scratch. Because of the very short development time, the games are a bit rough around the edges, and aren't that deep. You will likely play through them a couple of times and then forget about them. They are nice little time wasters, but not incentives to buy this game.The game also comes with some nice avatars and themes. The themes are on the disc but the avatars are codes you have to use with the PSN. There is around 20 avatars from Journey and Flower, along with 3 themes, 2 from Journey and 1 from flower. There is also a code for 1 free month of PS+. I have used the service, and have found it to be a great deal with plenty of freebies and discounts, among other extras. Try it out and see if you like it or not.

This isn't just some games. This is a collection of artwork.Journey in particular is imaginative and artistic and beautiful and is awe worthy. There's not much replay value in that it is the same journey, replayed, but there is in that is is a very large world to explore with lots of unlock-ables and collectables. The music is enchanting and the simple artwork is elegant and mystical. The game really takes you out of this world and into it's own. It can relax, threaten, entice, worry, challenge, and inspire in minutes. As Journey is the main collection of this package, it is also the focal point and most interesting. There is no text or dialogue which lets you build your own theories on the happenstance and entrances you in the magic of the world.There is multiplayer… in that another wanderer who joins at the same time will go through the level with you. It can get you through twice as faster, but if you are working on achievements it can be a little difficult. There is no way to communicate in multiplayer, but when you bump each other you recharge, and "calling" (holding O) can sometimes work as a communication aid. You will automatically connect to multiplayer if your PS3 is connected to the internet. There's no fear of trolling because all symbols and glyphs can still be gotten even if other players get them, and most players of this game are bonded by the magic and are pretty chill bros who are happy to work together with you.Flow and Flower are not like journey in that there are happenings occurring or you follow a central plot. There is simply a goal to achieve and you do it. Flow and Flower also do not have any text or dialogue and will let you space out into the serenity.Flower, in particular is a very relaxing experience with beautiful views, calm music, and magical petals. It's just plain pretty. But it's not just beautiful, it can be fun and even challenging to play through the levels.Flow is less natural beautiful and more microscopic beautiful. The Flow creature has a very cool design and while the gameplay is repetitive, it can be fun and definitely a great way to space out and unwind after a long day.For the cost, there's no reason to not buy and enjoy this trio of games. Unless you just really only play sports and shooters. This probably isn't for you (unless you and mary jane are good friends).The only annoying thing is you have to install the three games and have the disk in to play them.TL;DR:For: People who like cool art, cool music, or going on a silent adventure and experiencing the surreal. Definitely for all ages.Not for: people with no patience or attention span. the game will get boring fast for you, sorry. Or, people who are just terribly baffled by tilting the controller to move.Pros: Gorgeous, imaginative, interesting, relaxing, enticing.Cons: Repetitive, lack of direction at times.

The package is a good deal considering it contains three games which you will not find in the Indian market place. Buying it on Blu Ray comes out cheaper too. The games themselves are very unconventional.Flow - The first game made by the developer - it's interesting but a bit childish.Flower - A beautiful game. Play it with headphones for the best experience. The aim is to sit down and relax and like the game, get carried along in the breeze for hours.Journey - Can a game be a work of art? Yes indeed and this game proves it. You can complete the entire game in about two hours, but the visual experience is incomparable to anything i have ever played. It's less of a game and more of an interactive canvas - a painting which you can be part of. Sign into the play station network and suddenly another player pops in. But you cannot talk or chat - yet you are companions on the journey helping each other and providing silent companionship. A beautiful concept which has never been seen. Once again, play it with headphones and on a HDTV for the best experience.

Journey è un must play sotto tutti gli aspetti. Una piccola gemma che regala emozioni che raramente altri giochi riescono a dare, complice una colonna sonora veramente encomiabile. Quando un gioco riesce a farti commuovere e a farti venire i brividi allo stesso tempo senza dover ricorrere a chissà quali stratagemmi, capisci che ne vale veramente la pena acquistarlo. Merita tutti i premi e il plauso generale che ha avuto all'epoca dell'uscita e che continua ad avere. Raccomando specialmente di giocare online! La solidarietà che si viene a creare con altri giocatori ( soprattutto se si è intenzionati anche a prendere tutti i trofei ) è davvero qualcosa unico. 10/10

El juego tomo casi 2 semanas en llegar a Tijuana desde Virginia un día antes del estimado por Amazon, lo cual me alegro. No tuve ningún problema con la orden y el paquete llego a la oficina de mi trabajo.En cuanto al juego, no puede ser mejor, contiene los tres juegos desarrollados por Thatgamecompany para Sony, un juego simple (flOw) en el que evolucionas a tu personaje comiéndote a otros, a mi me toco jugarlo cuando recién salio en flash y me encanto, después me entere que estaba para PSP y PS3 pero no había tenido el placer de jugarlo.Flower del que solo voy a mencionar que me recordó a Okami en cuanto a la mecánica en la que tus acciones en el juego modifican el entorno y aunque al principio paresca algo sin sentido o demasiado simple cobra mas vida en las secciones finales del juego.Y Journey... ufff!!!... no se que decir, merece ser jugado por todos por lo que logra transmitir en tan poco tiempo, de una a una hora y media de tiempo para una persona que ha jugado juegos antes y dos a tres horas para alguien que jamas ha tocado un juego.Los juegos de Thatgamecompany me recuerdan a los de Team ICO, si has jugado ICO y Shadow of the Colossus, no hay pretexto para no querer jugar Flower y Journey.

Llegó muy rápido y en perfecto estado.El juego en sí, es una joya con mayúsculas. No sabíamos si sería un poco raro, y nos ha enamorado por completo, ya lo hemos jugado tres veces.Es una preciosidad visual, pero también de emociones. La historia es muy bonita, y el sistema de juego es muy cómodo de usar.Recomiendo está edición porque los otros juegos son muy relajantes y agradables, también, merece mucho la pena

thatgamecompany is an incredible development studio, that looks at game design differently. Sony is a wonderful company for supporting developers and games such as these.Here's the bonuses that the game includes, aside from the 3 games (flOW, Flower and Journey) *Thirty-minute behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Journey *Creator Commentary playthroughs of all three games *Three exclusive mini-games from thatgamecompany *Concept art and screenshot galleries for all three games *Original soundtracks for all three games *PS3 dynamic themes and wallpapers *PSN avatars including eight exclusive new Journey avatars never released before *Official game trailers and developer diary videos *Reversible cover artflOw is great, though their 'worst' game. That's not saying much, because it's still a good game. The tilt controls can get a bit wonky at times though. Once you get used to it though, you're good to go. You basically play as an organism, going through it's evolutionary process. It sounds weird, and it is a bit. You eat other organisms and grow. That's about all there is to it, going through 'layers' (sortof levels) until you unlock a new 'class' of organism to play through it's life.The art design is incredible, the game has a screenshot feature for a reason.Flower, my favorite of the 3. You play as a pedal in the wind, gathering more pedals from flowers. You fly around using tilt, hitting any button to speed up. You hit a flower and a musical queue is played along with the INCREDIBLE music. It blends so well. When you bloom a flower, you gain another pedal.As you bloom more and more flowers, the world becomes beautiful again.There is no death, so you can just focus on the emotional journey that Flower is. It's hard to really explain this game, it's an experience that you just have to try for yourself. The emotional impact it had on me is unmatched by any game. It's art. No matter what people say about it. If you play it with an open mind, then you'll understand.Journey, probably thatgamecompany's biggest success. It's incredible as well, and very close to Journey. The story of the world is magical and mysterious. You go through the world, collecting glyphs that extend your scarf. Which allow you to glide/fly further.The online is innovative. You'll randomly be connected to other players (only one other at a time), going on their own Journey. You're able to follow them, or ditch them and do your own thing. And the online is so good, that you'll more than likely end the game thinking you've been through the game with one person. Only to see the names of multiple people you met on your Journey after the credits roll.There's a lot of attachment to that other character when you go on a Journey together. The bravery they had to avoid any form of real world communication (voice, text, usernames while playing) really enhanced their overall game design and pushed the connection they wanted people to have with their companion to new heights.The only form of communication you have is a 'call'. You can hold it for a different amount of time for different sounds. Calling near another Journey-er restores your scarfs 'energy'. Which allows you to fly. Through limitation comes creativity. People have to pay attention if they want to figure out what their new friend is trying to say. It's a lot of fun to communicate this way. It puts everyone on even ground.