Ready Player Two

[ezekiel.barbirolli]

Hello Everyone: I have just started playing Journey and I have some questions about the additional player that shows up in the game.

- I understand that this player is another real person, and not game generated - is this correct?
- Is it possible to disable this feature? In my case the new player seems to be leading the play and acting as a walkthrough, which, for me, takes all the fun out of playing.
- Is it possible to communicate with the additional player?
- Is the new player the same person after each game restart?
- Is it possible that I would be added to another game, how would I prevent that?

Or am I completely missing the point?

Any comments appreciated.

Cheers. . .

[Onion Budgie]

Hello there!

- Yes, the other player is a real person.
- Players will enter your game randomly (you can only ever meet one player at a time, though). You can only disable multiplayer by going offline or disabling your internet.
- Communication with other players can only be via your chirps and body language.
- No, the players you meet will be different every time you start the game. Unless you momentarily lose your connection with each other and then reconnect, in which case it is quite possible that you will find the same player.
- You can only prevent it by going offline/disabling your internet connection.

Really, for most players, the joy in Journey is travelling with other players. Each player has their own quirks and play style, and journeying from start to finish together, braving the challenges along the way, can be a very bonding and moving experience. But you should approach Journey in the way that YOU prefer, and if that be alone, then go for it. But once you've played the game, perhaps try another playthrough with a companion, and see how you like it.

[ezekiel.barbirolli]

Hello Onion Budgie: Thank you for your reply to my questions about the second player in Journey - your answers are very informative and thoughtful.

I agree with you about playing the game in a cooperative way, but I think that would work better when the players have equal playing experience. In my case I am brand new to Journey, and I don't play a lot of other games (Quern and Aporia are favorites). In the first few tries at Journey, while my companions were very patient, I was frustrated by not fully understanding the controls. For example, I couldn't (and still can't) figure out how to maintain sustained flight, so the other player would eventually solve whatever puzzle we were at, and then we would move on. So I felt like I was holding him/her back, and needed more time to experiment/practice. And can you elaborate on communicating through chirps and body language?

It looks like the game is going to get more complex, and I likely wouldn't finish it without some help or hints. So, once I get more proficient with the controls, I might return to team mode.

Regards,
Tony N.

[Onion Budgie]

For maintained flight, first of all you ideally need a good length scarf! You can lengthen your scarf by picking up the glowing symbols along your journey. When you press the button for flight, don't keep the flight button held down -- as that will use up your power too quickly. Just one quick press, and you fly, then as you lose momentum, press the button quickly again, etc. That helps keep you in the air for longer. (With two players, you can achieve continuous flight by keeping each other in the air with your chirps.)

There are three chirps the player can use. A quick press of the chirp button gives you a small chirp, a longer press of the button gives you a longer chirp where your traveller will duck slightly, and a LONG press of the button makes your traveller crouch and then leap up with a huge BONGGGGG chirp! Short chirps can be used to signify confusion, agitation, etc. A huge bong chirp can signify joy or admiration.

With body language, you can indicate wanting to pause for a moment by sitting down. You can run circles around your companion, wrapping them in your scarf, which can be an affectionate gesture. You can "wiggle" in place, which can either mean "No, I don't want to go there" or "Pay attention I want to show you something", etc. You can "dance" to show playfulness. You get the idea. :D

Journey isn't complex, it's quite linear, and there are no puzzles to solve other than using the large ribbons to activate bridge pieces or for climbing to a higher vantage for example. It's a relaxing game, just have fun with it!

[Corvid79]

Originally posted by ezekiel.barbirolli:

Hello Onion Budgie: Thank you for your reply to my questions about the second player in Journey - your answers are very informative and thoughtful.

I agree with you about playing the game in a cooperative way, but I think that would work better when the players have equal playing experience. In my case I am brand new to Journey, and I don't play a lot of other games (Quern and Aporia are favorites). In the first few tries at Journey, while my companions were very patient, I was frustrated by not fully understanding the controls. For example, I couldn't (and still can't) figure out how to maintain sustained flight, so the other player would eventually solve whatever puzzle we were at, and then we would move on. So I felt like I was holding him/her back, and needed more time to experiment/practice. And can you elaborate on communicating through chirps and body language?

It looks like the game is going to get more complex, and I likely wouldn't finish it without some help or hints. So, once I get more proficient with the controls, I might return to team mode.

Regards,
Tony N.

It's great that you know what you want out of the game and what takes the enjoyment out of it. I am assuming you have finished the game already so you will probably begin to encounter us white robes (one of the perks of moving up tiers). Regardless of whether you play offline or online, welcome to Journey! Hope once your traveller finds their footing, to see you in the sands!

[ezekiel.barbirolli]

Hello Onion Budgie and Corvid79: Thank you for your comments and encouragement.

Just to clarify my position, I am not averse to a little bit of help and some gentle hints. But with the additional players, although I'm sure well intentioned, it felt like any decision making and the enjoyment of achievement was being taken out of my hands, and I was just participating in a walkthrough. So that's what I was reacting to in my original comments, and I hope I haven't offended any of the players who joined my Journey. And if either of you were my companions in my game play so far, many thanks.

I'm nowhere near finished, in fact I have just started the game - maybe 5-6 stages in. I might give offline a try until I feel more proficient with the controls, and then return to fellow traveler mode.

Regards. . .
Tony N.

[Corvid79]

Excellent and good luck!