Earlier this year gamers were taken aback by Journey as it proved that video games can go in wildly unexpected directions yet still have that special something that makes for an entertaining experience. Thankfully devoid of any vapid or condescending artistic touches that plague other games trying to be different or to make a point, Journey was thankfully greeted with open arms as it became one of the fastest selling PSN games of all time. Now with a decent portion of the PlayStation nation already having experienced Journey, Sony is looking to hook in a new audience with a special release of the game.
It’s not too often that digitally distributed titles receive actual disc based releases, at least outside of Japan, but such a thing is happening with Journey in the form of Journey Collector’s Edition which is bound for a Blu-ray release. As cool as it would be to receive a Journey CE with a mini-plush figure of the main character or even a scarf, the Journey Collector’s Edition is instead a celebration of all things thatgamecompany.
Included in the Collector’s Edition of Journey is the full game (duh!), a special documentary about the development of the game, plus the amazing games that are flower and Flow. So for the discounted price of $29.99 gamers will be receiving all of thatgamecompany’s titles for the PS3 plus other goodies that include Journey concept art and the three games TGC made for the 24hr Game Jam. The “new” titles included in the CE may be more retro arcade based in their nature, but they appear to have the same unique charm found in all the games thatgamecompany has produced thus far.
As a package the Journey Collector’s Edition is a pretty sweet deal for those who haven’t experienced Journey or the other games produced by thatgamecompany. Even more, the release of the Collector’s Edition should serve as a nice swan song of sorts or ode to the greatness of thatgamecompany seeing as how the studio is going multiplatform and has splintered with studio co-founder Kellee Santiago moving on to other endeavors.
Maybe this will once again solidify me as a fanboy, but I’m definitely going to pick up the Journey Collector’s Edition despite owning all three games since it’s just good to support projects like this and show companies like Sony that we as gamers do want unique games instead of nothing but guaranteed franchise hits.
Journey Collector’s Edition will be released on August 28, just in time for my birthday.
