10 Powerful Video Game Stories Told Without Words
2. Journey
It’s hard to make sense of Journey’s story, but there is no escaping its emotional weight. Playing as a lone adventure with no backstory and no noticeable character traits, the player sets off on an adventure through vast deserts and perilous snowstorms, enduring immense struggle as the light in the distance inches closer.
It’s clear that the developer intended for the player to draw their own conclusions from its ~2-hour runtime and, if they’ve been paying attention, they’ll do just that.
There are so many individual moments in the game that say something incredibly poignant despite stubbornly maintaining its silence.
The implementation of another wanderer (and real-life player) into the mix early on to help you along on your journey evokes a feeling of harmony, and the difficult ascent up the mountain through a barrage of snow and high winds makes the persistence feel worth it when the summit lay beneath your feet.
The minimalist approach to gameplay mechanics provides focus, as there isn’t a plethora of button combinations needed to progress.
Instead, Journey’s simple design and tranquil surroundings allow for its story to be a memorable one.