I should clarify, I am not saying Abzu won't have some thematic depth. I should also clarify that what I mean by the shorthand "thematic depth" is the way Journey tapped into themes of life and death, solitude and companionship, struggle, mystery, death and the afterlife -- and also the way it handled those themes in a subtle rather than heavy handed way that caused players to have such strong and profound reactions to the game.
Why do I think it won't hit those same levels? One reason is that Chen isn't involved here, and he was a primary force behind what Journey became, particularly with regard to vision, the emphasis on tapping into unique emotional territory, and the overall direction of the game. Second, I think Journey hit a mark that will be extremely hard to match. It's not something I've seen achieved in the medium either before or since. So, just probability wise, it seems highly unlikely.
But hey, I'll be happy to be wrong about this. That would make Abzu an incredibly awesome game, another masterpiece, a profound work of art.
And again, I'm not trying to put Abzu down at all or diminish anyone's enthusiasm. I'm just trying to keep my own (and perhaps others') expectations in check.
Also, if you didn't think Journey was all that great to begin with, then my statements will have no value or meaning to you. Many people didn't respond the same way I did to Journey, and so my statements about its thematic depth will not really resonate with them. In that case, Abzu's thematic depth may be quite similar to Journey's, for them.
Anyhow, all of this is speculation. I look forward to actually playing the darn thing in a little over a week.
Respect to Austin Wintory. I loved your music in Journey. It wouldn't have been nearly the same game without it.
