| So, I just got done playing Journey, and I must say that I was overwhelmed by the games beauty. The wonderful flowing movement of the creatures and the avatar, in conjunction with the dreamy desert like landscape was brilliant. I also enjoyed the vague esoteric nature of the games narrative. I liked that it left you guessing, and was ambiguous enough to allow the player to sort of create a meaning of their own, and thus personalize the game in a way.
My question to you is pretty straight forward: what do you think the game was about, or rather what did it mean to you? |
| To me, the game was this:
Spoiler: Click to 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
That's my interpretation of it so far. This game truly was amazing, I just played through for the sixth time today. |
| Well I tried to make a similar thread awhile ago (no this isn't a "search bar!" post) but it bombed so i'll just paste my speculations below.
Spoiler: Click to 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 |
| scorptatious:
To me, the game was this:
Spoiler: Click to 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
That's my interpretation of it so far. This game truly was amazing, I just played through for the sixth time today.
Thanks for responding to my thread. I think your interpretation is interesting, there is one scene I think where two white robed people seem to be pulling a piece of red scarf until it rips in half. Perhaps this scene is a symbolic representation of the people fighting over resources? In regards to the spirit of the red robed people fertilizing the land, do you think this is in hopes that the land will be rejuvenated by their essence? If so, what is the point of rejuvenating the land if no one will be left to enjoy it? I guess, if you see the scarf entities as living things, maybe the point is for them to carry on. |
| darkstone:
Well I tried to make a similar thread awhile ago (no this isn't a "search bar!" post) but it bombed so i'll just paste my speculations below.
Spoiler: Click to 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
Sorry your thread bombed. I thought that this thread was going to do the same thing, so I was happy to see that someone replied.
Your first theory was my original thought on the game, but I don't really like that interpretation either; it's far to hellish. I do like the idea of a pilgrimage of atonement though as it would go with the uplifting vibe of the game. Do you think that after this pilgrimage that their allowed to move on to the after life or just released from their guilt?
No one has mentioned this yet, but I thought in a couple of the cut scenes that I saw what looked to be white invading war ships. Maybe they where just clouds though? Anyway I kind of thought for a moment that those flying winged snake things were invaders. I'm unsure as I haven't really decided what I think yet, but still it's an idea. |
| TheVioletBandit:
darkstone:
Well I tried to make a similar thread awhile ago (no this isn't a "search bar!" post) but it bombed so i'll just paste my speculations below.
Spoiler: Click to 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
Sorry your thread bombed. I thought that this thread was going to do the same thing, so I was happy to see that someone replied.
Your first theory was my original thought on the game, but I don't really like that interpretation either; it's far to hellish. I do like the idea of a pilgrimage of atonement though as it would go with the uplifting vibe of the game. Do you think that after this pilgrimage that their allowed to move on to the after life or just released from their guilt?
No one has mentioned this yet, but I thought in a couple of the cut scenes that I saw what looked to be white invading war ships. Maybe they where just clouds though? Anyway I kind of thought for a moment that those flying winged snake things were invaders. I'm unsure as I haven't really decided what I think yet, but still it's an idea.
I believe they move on, another point in favor of my second theory is that when you reach the second open desert area, if you look up at the mountain you can see other spirits being sent out, and within the desert one of the spirits crash lands into a builing releasing a glyph and a torrent of those flying scarf pieces.
As to your second point, once the red fabric started to become scarce the white robes created those flying snakes to fight each other over dwindling resources, it would seem though that the machines at some point became indiscriminate and turned on their creators due to their need to collect cloth. |
| TheVioletBandit:
scorptatious:
To me, the game was this:
Spoiler: Click to ViewPHA+VGhlcmUgd2FzIG9uY2UgYSBncm91cCBvZiB3aGl0ZSByb2JlZCBwZW9wbGUgd2hvIHV0aWxpemVkIHRoZSBwb3dlcnMgb2YgdGhlIHJlZCBzY2FydmVzLCBsaWtlIHRoZSBraXRlIHRoaW5ncyB5b3UgbWVldCB0aHJvdWdob3V0IHRoZSBnYW1lLCBhbmQgdXNlIHRoZW0gdG8gYnVpbGQgdGhlaXIgc29jaWV0eS4gRXZlbnR1YWxseSB0aG91Z2gsIHRoZXkgYXR0ZW1wdGVkIHRvIGV4cGFuZCBhbmQgZW5kZWQgdXAgdXNpbmcgdXAgdG9vIG11Y2ggb2YgdGhlIHJlZCBzY2FydmVzLiAgVGhpcyBtb3N0IGxpa2VseSBzeW1ib2xpemVzIG92ZXItaW5kdXN0cmlhbGl6YXRpb24uIEtpbmQgb2YgbGlrZSB3aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIGluIFRoZSBMb3JheC48L3A+CjxwPkV2ZW50dWFsbHksIHRoZSB3aGl0ZSByb2JlZCBwZW9wbGUgZm91Z2h0IG92ZXIgdGhlIHByZWNpb3VzIGZldyByZWQgc2NhcnZlcyB0aGF0IHdlcmUgbGVmdCBhbmQgd2VudCB0byB3YXIgYWdhaW5zdCBlYWNoIG90aGVyLiBUaGV5IHVzZWQgdGhvc2UgYmlnIGRyYWdvbiB0aGluZ3MgdGhhdCB0b3JlIHVwIHlvdXIgc2NhcmYgd2hlbmV2ZXIgdGhleSBzYXcgeW91IGFzIHRvb2xzIG9mIHdhci4gRXZlbnR1YWxseSwgZXZlcnlvbmUgZGllZCwgYWxvbmcgd2l0aCB0aGVpciBjaXZpbGl6YXRpb24uIFdoaWNoIHdhcyBidXJpZWQgdW5kZXJuZWF0aCB0aGUgc2FuZC48L3A+CjxwPlRoZSByZWQgcm9iZWQgZmlndXJlLCAoeW91KSBmcm9tIHdoYXQgSSBjYW4gdGVsbCBzZXJ2ZXMgYXMgYSByZWluY2FybmF0aW9uIG9mIG9uZSBvZiB0aGUgd2hpdGUgcm9iZWQgcGVvcGxlIHdobyBkaWVkLiBZb3UgYXJlIGRyYXduIHRvIHRoZSBtb3VudGFpbiBpbiB0aGUgZGlzdGFuY2UsIGFuZCBhbG9uZyB0aGUgd2F5LCB5b3UgZnJlZSB0aGUgcmVkIHNjYXJmIGNyZWF0dXJlcyB0aGF0IHdlcmUgdXNlZCB0byBwb3dlciB0aGUgd2hpdGUgcm9iZWQgcGVvcGxlJ3MgY2l0aWVzIGFuZCBoZWxwICBhbmQgYWNjb21wYW55IG90aGVyIHJlZCByb2JlZCBmaWd1cmVzIGxpa2UgeW91IGFsb25nIHRoZSB3YXkuIFBlcmhhcHMgaXQncyBhIHNpZ24gb2YgcmVwZW50YW5jZT88L3A+CjxwPlRoZSBtb3VudGFpbiBhdCB0aGUgZW5kIEkgYmVsaWV2ZSByZXByZXNlbnRzIGhlYXZlbi4gQW4gdWx0aW1hdGUgZ29hbCBmb3IgYWxsIHRob3NlIHdobyBhcmUgZHJhd24gdG8gdGhlIG1vdW50YWluLiBBbmQgb25jZSB0aGV5IGRvIHJlYWNoIGl0LCB0aGVpciBzcGlyaXQgZ29lcyBhbmQgaGVscHMgZmVydGlsaXplIHRoZSBsYW5kLjwvcD4=
That's my interpretation of it so far. This game truly was amazing, I just played through for the sixth time today.
Thanks for responding to my thread. I think your interpretation is interesting, there is one scene I think where two white robed people seem to be pulling a piece of red scarf until it rips in half. Perhaps this scene is a symbolic representation of the people fighting over resources? In regards to the spirit of the red robed people fertilizing the land, do you think this is in hopes that the land will be rejuvenated by their essence? If so, what is the point of rejuvenating the land if no one will be left to enjoy it? I guess, if you see the scarf entities as living things, maybe the point is for them to carry on.
Well if the first mural cutscene was any indication, the white robed people were created from the same stuff that created the land. So I guess it's just one giant cycle of life and death.
EDIT: I found a video that gives another interpretation of what the ending means:
|
So, I just got done playing Journey, and I must say that I was overwhelmed by the games beauty. The wonderful flowing movement of the creatures and the avatar, in conjunction with the dreamy desert like landscape was brilliant. I also enjoyed the vague esoteric nature of the games narrative. I liked that it left you guessing, and was ambiguous enough to allow the player to sort of create a meaning of their own, and thus personalize the game in a way.
My question to you is pretty straight forward: what do you think the game was about, or rather what did it mean to you?