'The Art Of Journey' Brings The Quiet Awesomeness Of The Game To Hardcover | SPIKE

If you couldn’t get enough of thatgamecompany's creations that were compiled in the Journey Collector's Edition, then you're in luck. Thatgamecompany, in conjunction with Bluecanvas Magazine, have released an extensive collection of artwork from the game in a 190-page hardcover artbook, The Art of Journey. The book not only provides an intimate look at one of the most beautiful games of this generation, but it's also infused with augmented reality creating a truly unique experience for anyone that wants more from this amazing game.

There's no denying that Journey is an awe-inspiring game. From the characters to the setting, the game creates an atmosphere unlike any other game, and a lot of that is due to the overall art stlye of the game. The man behind that art direction, Matt Nava, is the one that was in charge of compiling, and writing this book, telling the story of Journey from the perspective of one of the most involved members of the thatgamecompany team.

The Art of Journey isn't your typical video game art book in that it's not filled just with concept art and character renders, it also includes a collection of fan artwork created by artistically inclined gamers that were inspired by Journey. These pieces offer alternate interpretations of the characters and the sparse environments from the game as seen by the people that experienced it firsthand.

In addition to the numerous pages of glorious art, the book also includes an augmented reality experience that lets you bring the world of Journey to life. Using your smartphone or tablet you can download an app that will allow you to see the environments from the game constructed in a digital 3D alternate reality. Like a new age pop-up book, the AR included in The Art of Journey brings the game into your home, almost literally.

Coming in with a price tag of $60 makes this art book a bit of an investment, but for fans of the game, it's well worth the cost to see some of the amazing art and illustrations that were behind this amazing game. As an added bonus, the book includes a voucher that will allow readers to download a copy of the game's soundtrack to their PlayStation 3, allowing for a little auditory stimulation while looking at the book's pretty pictures.