Northern Journey’s surreal world deserves to be experienced, not merely described

Oh my goodness, what a creepy, funny, and odd game Northern Journey is. I almost don’t want to say any more about it, not because it can be spoiled but because it seems appropriately respectful. Not in a reverent sense, you understand. It just feels like such a world should be preserved, even slightly feared, rather than trampled on by some idiot with a camera in her face.

To call Northern Journey “retro” would completely misrepresent it. It’s beautiful in an ugly, desolate way reminiscent of Kenshi or Morrowind. It’s translucent in its exposition but not obtuse, hostile, or obnoxiously hard. It’s a bit clunky, without that ever undermining the experience. It’s vaguely amateurish, yet almost consciously so, like a painter who knows their talent and intent is enough to overcome any technical flaws. This is a bloody treat and I’m so glad I got to play it.