Journey came out 11 years ago. And for about 10 of those 11 years, fans have been clamouring for a sequel. Thanks to the PlayStation Showcase 2023, it finally looks like we might be getting one.
It may be more of a spiritual sequel, but don’t you go bringing your logic into my fantasy. During the 2023 PS Showcase, Giant Squid unveiled Sword of the Sea. As the video began to play and I got a glimpse of the glimmering sands, I immediately thought of Journey.
Initial impressions
Journey was a transformative experience for me, one that submerged me in a lost world. It took me, literally and metaphorically, into darkness and back out. Through the music and level design, I soared in victory. It was a game that made me rethink my entire approach to gaming as you can see in my article.
Like ThatGameCompany, Giant Squid also has an amazing track record of creating beautifully immersive experiences. From a few glimpses of the announcement trailer, it looks like Giant Squid will be looking to do the same thing with Sword of the Sea.
The trailer starts with the sounds of rushing sand and the haunting strain of a violin. But as soon as we meet the protagonist, the Wraith, its melancholic soundscape shifts into a more hopeful and joyful tone. The piano-led track accompanies the protagonist as he surfs over the rolling sands of the desert.
Around the Wraith, ruins rise and fall. As he accomplishes his tasks around the world, whales and other creatures of the ocean surround him, swimming through the sky. Until the dunes of the desert are replaced by the surging waves of an ocean and a reinvigorated city. It is evocative imagery that promises a transformative adventure. It promises similar feelings of challenge and adventure through a beautiful world that made games like Journey and The Pathless amazing.
On the PlayStation Blog, Matt Nava, the Creative Director at Giant Squid gives us a hint of what all we can expect. The Wraith is on a journey to reinvigorate the land and rediscover the lost ocean. Players will explore the land on the character’s hoversword.
Yep… you read that right. It’s a sword that is also a hoverboard/Snowboard/skateboard. It is a key traversal tool that will give you the challenge and joy of a skating/snowboarding game while you uncover the mysteries of the land and face leviathans.
Looking forward to the release
The trailer has piqued my interest. I am curious to learn about this world and why it is in ruins. What will the puzzles look like? How are we going to face off against the Leviathans? And how do we help the Wraith convert a rolling vast desert into an ocean? As a fan of Journey, Abzu, and The Pathless, I look forward to the answers. It will be fascinating to see how this game stands up to them, and if it lives up to the promise of the trailer. Now…if only we could find out when it will be released.
What do you think this game will be about? What are you hoping for? And what other games from the showcase excited you? Join the conversation in the comments below.
