Journey

Journey

game

2012, Music, Platform

WISE
92%

WISE Score

85%

IGDB

A wordless, meditative masterpiece where you and one anonymous stranger help each other cross a gorgeous desert—basically the anti-Fortnite.

Where to Play

PlayStation
PlayStation
Screenwise Verdict

Journey is basically the game you show people when they say 'video games aren't art.' It's a 2-3 hour wordless pilgrimage across a stunning desert with one anonymous companion, and it's as close to a universally safe, beautiful gaming experience as you'll find.

The genius is in what it doesn't have: no violence, no chat toxicity, no microtransactions, no grinding, no stress. Just exploration, cooperation, and a genuinely moving emotional arc told entirely through visuals and music. Many adults have cried playing this.

The catch? It's abstract and slow. Kids expecting Minecraft or Roblox might bounce right off it. And while it holds up beautifully for a 2012 game, it's not going to wow kids with cutting-edge graphics. But for families looking for something genuinely different—something that shows games can be thoughtful, artistic, and emotionally resonant—this is a masterpiece.

It's available on PS3/PS4 (and later on PC and other platforms), and honestly, every family should experience it at least once. Think of it as a Pixar short film you get to play.

Age Fit

Best for kids 8+ who can appreciate slower-paced, artistic experiences. Younger kids might enjoy the pretty visuals but miss the emotional depth. Teens and even adults genuinely love this—it's one of those rare games that transcends age.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
95

Journey is renowned for its peaceful, meditative tone and wordless cooperation between players. No combat, no conflict—just two robed figures helping each other traverse a beautiful desert landscape toward a distant mountain. The emotional arc is gentle and uplifting, modeling collaboration without any toxicity or aggression.

Imaginative
92

This is thatgamecompany's artistic masterpiece—a wordless narrative told through environmental storytelling, stunning visuals, and an award-winning musical score. Players explore ancient ruins, solve light environmental puzzles, and experience a journey that invites personal interpretation. The game is fundamentally about exploration, wonder, and discovery without hand-holding.

Safe
98

Nearly perfect safety profile: users can interact with one anonymous player at a time but cannot communicate except through musical chimes—no chat, no usernames, no toxicity possible. No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no ads. The game has a clear beginning and end (roughly 2-3 hours), preventing compulsive loops. No violence, no scary content, no inappropriate material whatsoever.

Enriching
88

Journey offers a contemplative, almost spiritual experience that many players describe as emotionally moving. It teaches cooperation through design (players are stronger together), patience, and perseverance. The wordless storytelling builds visual literacy and interpretive skills. However, it's more of an artistic experience than a traditional skill-builder—deeply meaningful but perhaps abstract for younger players.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Teaches cooperation through pure game design—you're stronger together, but you can't talk or fight, just help
  • Absolutely gorgeous art and music that won actual awards; this is gaming as high art
  • Perfect antidote to chaotic, loud games—it's peaceful, contemplative, and genuinely moving
  • Short enough (2-3 hours) that you can experience the whole thing in an afternoon
  • The anonymous multiplayer is genius: you meet one other player, work together, and never know who they were—pure collaboration without toxicity
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What to Watch For

  • The abstract storytelling might go over younger kids' heads—they may enjoy the visuals but miss the emotional arc
  • Some kids expecting action or clear objectives might find it 'boring' or confusing
  • It's a 2012 game, so while it holds up beautifully, the graphics aren't cutting-edge modern
  • Once you've played it, there's not much replay value—it's more like watching a great movie than grinding a game

Conversation Starters

  • "Who do you think that other player was? Where do you think they live?"
  • "What did you think the story was about? Where were we trying to go?"
  • "How did it feel to help someone you couldn't talk to? How did you figure out how to work together?"
  • "What was your favorite moment? Was there a part that felt sad or scary or exciting?"
  • "Do you think games always need talking or fighting to be fun?"

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