6. Journey (Thatgamecompany)
It should come as no surprise that the creative team behind
Flower ended up on this list again. Their follow up,
Journey, displays an incredible sense of wonder and enchantment. Playing as a nameless robed figure in an endless desert, you set on a journey exploring the ruins of a long forgotten and once-thriving civilization. Along the way you collect pieces of cloth which charge your scarf and allow you to briefly fly. You may even encounter fellow travelers and help each other, if you so desire. Like
Flower,
Journey is charmingly simplistic, but is an entirely different game. It has more of a narrative pushing things forward, but keeps it to a minimum, focusing more on atmosphere, of which
Journey has plenty of. It immediately sweeps you off your feet with its sense of awe. The graphics are both minimalist and exquisite, making it one of the most visually astounding games ever made. You literally cannot tear you eyes way. The soundtrack, unsurprisingly, is a work of art in itself, fueling the already splendid visuals. Despite lacking the ballet-like movement of
Flower, it's actually even more of a visual and auditory tour de force. Perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of
Journey is the cooperative element. Unlike most games, which allow for instant connection and communication, Journey lacks both. Other players can randomly appear in your game, and if you wish, can assist you in that level. However, you cannot talk to each other through a microphone or text, relying only on self-generated musical notes. This changes the dynamic of cooperation completely. There is no competition, smack talking, or idle chit-chat, just pure connection through cooperation and exploration. You have no idea who is on the other side, and there is something extremely compelling about that idea. You'll never have played a game quite like
Journey.