Old Man's Journey+
Charming but short adventure game joins Apple Arcade.
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Old Man's Journey+
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Old Man's Journey+ is a puzzle based adventure game for Apple Arcade. There's no dialog in the game, but through flashbacks, players learn about the protagonist's life. It is suitable for all ages, without any inappropriate content, but there are some still images of drinking alcohol and smoking a cigarette.
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What’s It About?
OLD MAN'S JOURNEY+ is a single-player adventure game about love, loss, regret, and hope. At the start of the game, players see a mail carrier bring a letter to an old man, which prompts him to pack a knapsack and set out on a journey, on foot (to start). Rather than dialoging with characters, the story is told entirely through "flashback" scenes about the man's life, including his marriage and having a child. Sequences are unraveled through these triggered memories during the game (often when the protagonist sits down on a bench from time to time to rest). Gameplay mostly revolves around manipulating the environment, so the nameless old man can reach his destination. Players will drag around hilltops so that they intercept, for example, or move objects out of the way (such as wandering sheep), make wheels roll a certain way to break through stone fences to reveal a path, or rely on faster transportation like a train, boats, truck, or hot air balloon.
Is It Any Good?
While it's very short at only a couple of hours, with very little replayability, the experience is an excellent one. So long as you enjoy puzzle solving, you'll have fun with Old Man's Journey+. Part of the stickiness with this game is finding out where the old man is going, and what happened in his life for him to end up alone. And what was in the letter? The glimpses into his past via the vignettes ties it all together. The high production values of this game are also a reason to stay, with the watercolor-like visuals and soothing soundtrack. Again, there's no dialog, so the other elements need to step up -- and they do.
Once you realize what actions are needed, puzzles aren't overly challenging, which may disappoint avid gamers. But on the flipside, Old Man's Journey+ is ideal for non-gamers or younger players alike. Ironically, the story may be too mature for kids, and not resonate as well as compared to older adults who may be able to associate with the themes in this game, but it's a wonderful adventure, nonetheless. Without spoiling the story, Old Man's Journey is a must-play for Apple Arcade subscribers. What it lacks in difficulty is more than makes up for in its story, charming production, and accessibility.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Old Man's Journey+ has no dialog, yet still tells a story through images and music. Doesn't this make the game unique?
What's the message in Old Man's Journey+? After experiencing the story, what's the game developer attempting to convey here?
Game Details
- Platform: Apple Arcade
- Pricing structure: Paid (Part of the Apple Arcade subscription service ($4.99/month).)
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Broken Rules
- Release date: November 24, 2022
- Genre: Puzzle
- Topics: Adventures, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, Horses and Farm Animals, Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: NR for No Descriptions
- Last updated: December 11, 2022
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