Oh my gosh! I just played through this game.... Wow. This game made me feel emotions and have experiences that felt personal and real in a way no other game could ever imagine. The experience of playing this game was so unique and different I don't even know how to describe it. It was good though. Really good. So everybody buy this game. It's well worth the $15, and I can't wait to see what TGC will do next.
I love how the game starts at sunrise and ends at night. And then when you watch the credits it's the same thing backwards ;_; this game is so beautiful in every aspect. However you interpret the game it's always about the Journey you have, never really the destination
Journey will forever be one of my favourite games. The art and landscape is beautiful, and the soundtrack compliments it perfectly. Such an incredible game that I never get tired of playing.
Great post. I was burned out on gaming the last several years, tired of FPS/Driving/Fighting games. Then I tried Shadow of the Colossus....then I tried ICO. (both on same disc) ICO really got me hooked on the idea of original games, so I tried Journey, loved it! It not only provided me with some of the best gaming experiences I ever had, it's the kind of EXPERIENCE that makes you rethink your REAL life! It truly has to be played to be understood and appreciated.
Thank you guys..You created a masterpiece...Simply amazing.. Journey is an amzing experience.I could never think that i would end a game and be speechless in such a beautiful way.. Journey is not just a game..
This is beyond a game. This is art. A story is conveyed through the cutscenes and if you take the time you can actually understand it. Not to mention this game makes you feel a range of emotions.
loved this game, the complete mystery of it to begin with, the gliding and music were relaxing at first then it became exciting as little things started to glow and I realised I was playing multi-player, unsure how things reacted to you. Beautiful to look at and i completely agree with the video as you start to attach your own life to the game, the ending really made me think about my dad who I lost 3 months ago to cancer, and when characters disappeared it was genuinely sad too.
This game was amazing. It actually thought me who I am as a gamer. How I was spoiled with features and benefits I expected from the game. The number one thing NO OTHER GAMES ever do anymore is "subtle Conveyance". Modern games now go out of their way to popup with "press this and that to shoot", "you're dying, cover here!", and so on breaking the immersion factor. This game had none of that. It was as if I had to learn naturally, like gliding and how to fly in game. It was freaking beautiful.
It's an online connection, yes. The character you meet is a person, just like you, sitting somewhere far away from you, playing with you, but you are both unknown to each other, and the only way to socialize is through the in-game sound/tones your character can say/sing.
It goes much deeper than that, at least through my experience. I think it delves into not only the influence of religion, but it dissects the core of humanity as a whole. We need people, and we need some sort of comfort in our lives, whether that be spiritual or from other human beings. I've never seen something that encapsulates this message so perfectly. It's beautiful...
There is no way to describe journey, I could describe what MY journey is like, but when you play it it will be much different. Journey touches everyone who plays it in a different way every one can feel a connection between this game and their lives. journey is amazing and not to be overlooked.
one thing that i have found out whilst watching a video also on youtube about someone playing journey is that you dont play solo until you find someone and finish it with them, but you may find one other player, get separated, find another, get separated, and continue doing that until you end the game.
I know right and I pray that they make another journey game but alot longer. This game was hella short but a perfect journey. I WANT A SEQUAL TOTHIS BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING WORK OF ART.
this game is very special to me. touched my heart. somehow... i dont know how to describe it. i play scenario paintball, battlefield 3 and all that. but this game is so special!!! only shadows of the colossus gave me that filling, but this is 100 times better!
Thank you for your posting. I'm certain we are all enlightened and refreshed by your unique point of view. Please feel free to post again when you actually have a rebuttal to what I said and can refrain from useless school yard taunts.
I watched a playthu and felt that it was a metaphor for life in that those who struggle thru hardship and attain excellence become the inspiring shooting stars for others to follow. This game is a deep and meaningful experience that I think needs to be shared with as many people as possible by being available on all gaming platforms. Otherwise, it cheapens the concept by whoring the game out as a gimmick to sell only a specific make of hardware.
I may not be the best at describing things, but trust me, this game is an amazing experience. There's a demo for it you can download, if you'd like, though it don't show much of the story.
It's not just about finding yourself, but also about receiving some sort of experience and touch when you sort of live you whole life through that game, something you cannot just re-create outside your TV-screen. And just to mention, games are real life, mate. They exist, therefore, real.
People now days are so used to play fast pace games such as COD, Battlefield, and etc. This game is made to be relaxing , slow pace, and enjoyable. You could not rush through this game, slow down for once and be amazed. I think thats why some people think this game is boring. I have been playing as a white robe since January 2012 and had never stopped playing. I think once a week i dedicated my day on the game helping others past the game and get achievemnts.
I've always felt like we under estimate just how much knowledge and energy as well as understanding that children take in. Even if they don't understand it right away they will remember it and it will make an impression and as they mature they will understand and it will impact who they are if it made enough of an impression on them. It will surely stick.
This is the type of game that you have to treat like a story and adventure, not just a gam. You'll realize how much of a big difference it is to view one thing as something else, because this game compared to all others really IS something else.
Fair enough, you choose to view art very broadly. And you have absolutely the right to do that. I can see beauty in many things as well, even in the way streetlights throw shadows on other objects. But I wouldn't classify that as art.
i feel the same way. as i went through the story it just fills you with emotions... i could go on.. btw when i play this game i really take my time and project myself in the game as i play. i think they should make at least 2 more Journey games. ps: i am not really a "trophy hunter" but this game.. after i played lots of times (while taking my time) i got all the trophies : )
Actually, I think it targets all people. Its made to get you thinking about things you've never thought about. It isn't difficult, you cant die, and the controls are not complicated. This makes the game accessible. Its for everyone. And everyone needs to experience Journey.
I used to be crazy about games like COD and Halo, dont get me wrong halo up to 4 is fantastic, then they just started miking it. I plan to buy this game today, i cant wait to experience it. A unique experience this is what i want
it is art the people who make the game create a piece of art which in my opinion is even better than a museum because you can interact with it as a player character design level design lore music all created by people and then bought by others to enjoy as you would buy a ticket to a museum expect you can ejoy it over and over instead of paying and seeing it once ive played games that had artwork in it i would hang on the wall in my house... games are art
I assume you say that because of how the game almost precisely follows The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Maybe you are fimiliar with "The Hero's Journey"). Journey made me think alot, not just about this game but about games in general. Games are often treated as movies or books in that you observe the things that occur but with games as a storytelling device we access feeling just barely visible before. I hope that games will do to the arts what films did to it when it's potential was unveiled.
"So I was on this mountain top and then it hit me; only those with PS3s should enjoy games with a message, nothing like sharing my experiences with those that can afford it"
well, you usually play it in one go, so I thought you were complaining that it was too long. The game isvery replayable and extremely satisfying. Apparently the ending has moved many people to tear of joy, And I myself shed a few at the end of my first run.
I fell in love with this game a few minutes after I started watching the video. Its beautiful, creative, and relaxing. The only part that bothered me was seeing their civilization fall into ruin due to the war over those power fabric creatures. :(
this game is like the demon's blood in batman arkham city game ...... it will make most ppl go nuts , but some other's , the rare ones can find true serenity
*all the obstacles.. And to boost these feelings you will get through terribly dangerous and harsh places where you feel like the only shelter is near your partner.. You really feel a big mixture of emotions till you reach the so claimed light.. The journey's destiny... But when you play it, you will understand that destiny isn't the most important after all :).... Really, everyone, i recommend you to play this wonderful game :)
Ico came before Shadow of the Colossus. Colossus is considered its spiritual successor. It was made by the same devs, but wasn't marketed as much. Its still every bit as good.
I can definitely relate on feeling a loss after completing a deep storyline, man. I respect your stance on this. More than anything, though, it just irked me to see the original commenter implying that the work of (at the very least) a few dozen people over years was more "artistic" than the work of one. Don't get me wrong, games are very artistic, just in a different sense than traditional art or even music. Games are a culmination of many arts which is admirable though. But they are different.
The thing he said about language is especially true. The person who I really connected with in the game while playing was Japanese, and the person who my boyfriend connected with was German,
Some people do not enjoy these sorts of experiences. It's very deep and begs some serious questions about the nature of the world and life itself and definitely about humanity. These questions make people very uncomfortable at times and some people do not like that at all. That does not make these people wrong, just different. I was like that at one time. Even though I was clever and thought myself wise; I would never have been able to have this game touch me in the way it did at that time.
I have a life. I have a fantastic social life, a wonderful relationship with my beautiful gf, i'm into many sports ( long distance cycling being the main ). I'm off to university very soon and cant wait to show the rest of the world who I really am. Gaming is a way to get in touch with my friends/family that live in different countries. Don't judge a person by one sentence on what they play or do every now and again... Enjoy your life and make it unique to the rest of society :)
when i see journey and know i cant get it because ive already got an xbox360... i becaome sad... but it makes me happy that the game "below" will release on xbox1... so i can finally play... art... on my perfered platform :')
Well, they ARE art by that definition. I think people are trying to say they are not "high" art. And if those people still don't see that they are high art.... they will.
It's somewhat a platformer, but as they were talking about in the video, that's hardly the focus of the game. The focus is your emotional journey as you travel through this. The "puzzles" are simple enough that you're very unlikely to be stuck, allowing you to immerse yourself in the game's environment.
Games like this and heavy rain changed my opinion on Sony for the better. Yes, I know they didn't make it but there's gotta be something they did right that attracts developer like these to stay exclusive on their platform.
There's nothing wrong with any of them. There's also nothing wrong with tastes changing over time. It's a sign that you actually have tastes that you find them changing as you gain new skills and experiences.
I want to play this game, but I'm more than $300 away from it, and it would be the only thing I would want to play on the PS3 as everything I want from my video game experiences is fulfilled by other means.
it shouldnt be any longer I think since its meant to play entirely in one sitting with another person. you can play multiple sittings and multiple people. but the best is just to go through the whole thing with one person in one sitting for an hour or 2.
I think it's going in a pattern. First new things, then when the more successful things are discovered, like FPS games. Then we start making FPS games, when FPS games become stale and boring. New things arrive again. Then after a certain time. They take what is successful and repeat the process.
Resistance 3 was a bit disappointing compared to is predecessor BUT it introduced us to a new setting that was focused more on survival than war, like in the past. Don't let disappointment degrade it. It still is a phenomenal game, just not as much as the older ones. 90% of PS3 exclusives are better than the limited amount of 360 exclusives. The 10% being games like SOCOM, which was the ULTIMATE let down.
Hm... Usually I play different kinds of games. It looks like it'd be interesting to play but I haven't seen too much gameplay footage but I keep hearing good things about it. I think I'm going to give it a try before I judge it atleast :P
I fell in love with this game a few minutes after I started watching the video. Its beautiful, creative, and relaxing. The only part that bothered me was seeing their civilization fall into ruin due to the war over those power fabric creatures. :(
Oh my gosh! I just played through this game.... Wow. This game made me feel emotions and have experiences that felt personal and real in a way no other game could ever imagine. The experience of playing this game was so unique and different I don't even know how to describe it. It was good though. Really good. So everybody buy this game. It's well worth the $15, and I can't wait to see what TGC will do next.
I love how the game starts at sunrise and ends at night. And then when you watch the credits it's the same thing backwards ;_; this game is so beautiful in every aspect. However you interpret the game it's always about the Journey you have, never really the destination
Journey will forever be one of my favourite games. The art and landscape is beautiful, and the soundtrack compliments it perfectly. Such an incredible game that I never get tired of playing.
Great post. I was burned out on gaming the last several years, tired of FPS/Driving/Fighting games. Then I tried Shadow of the Colossus....then I tried ICO. (both on same disc) ICO really got me hooked on the idea of original games, so I tried Journey, loved it! It not only provided me with some of the best gaming experiences I ever had, it's the kind of EXPERIENCE that makes you rethink your REAL life! It truly has to be played to be understood and appreciated.
such a beautiful game I couldn't help but shed a tear ..a lot of tears
Thank you guys..You created a masterpiece...Simply amazing.. Journey is an amzing experience.I could never think that i would end a game and be speechless in such a beautiful way.. Journey is not just a game..
This is beyond a game. This is art. A story is conveyed through the cutscenes and if you take the time you can actually understand it. Not to mention this game makes you feel a range of emotions.
They need more games like this.. Like a relaxing place that just makes u forget everything and feel free
loved this game, the complete mystery of it to begin with, the gliding and music were relaxing at first then it became exciting as little things started to glow and I realised I was playing multi-player, unsure how things reacted to you. Beautiful to look at and i completely agree with the video as you start to attach your own life to the game, the ending really made me think about my dad who I lost 3 months ago to cancer, and when characters disappeared it was genuinely sad too.
This game actually moved me to tears. I can't actually express any depth of meaning past that because it it beyond words.
What a wonderful experience. Thank you Thatgamecompany (and keep on like this).
This game was amazing. It actually thought me who I am as a gamer. How I was spoiled with features and benefits I expected from the game. The number one thing NO OTHER GAMES ever do anymore is "subtle Conveyance". Modern games now go out of their way to popup with "press this and that to shoot", "you're dying, cover here!", and so on breaking the immersion factor. This game had none of that. It was as if I had to learn naturally, like gliding and how to fly in game. It was freaking beautiful.
there is something about games with no words at all that really touches me, like it is reaching me through my soul, not my ears
This is a rare game - it's more than just fun. It's something you can feel Happy, Fulfilled, playing.
This looks like an amazing piece of art. Journey seems to be more a philosophical exploration of self than a video game...
Such smoothness and beauty can only really be depicted through the Playstation 3.
this is how simple games but yet their AMAZING in a kind of way!!!
Awesome game , truly a beautiful experience .
played it through 4 times & have my full scarf .
EVERYONE needs to play this game .
It's an online connection, yes. The character you meet is a person, just like you, sitting somewhere far away from you, playing with you, but you are both unknown to each other, and the only way to socialize is through the in-game sound/tones your character can say/sing.
the game was really good and life changing and the music was beyond describable.
It goes much deeper than that, at least through my experience. I think it delves into not only the influence of religion, but it dissects the core of humanity as a whole. We need people, and we need some sort of comfort in our lives, whether that be spiritual or from other human beings. I've never seen something that encapsulates this message so perfectly. It's beautiful...
This game holds a special place in my heart, I love it so much. ♥
There is no way to describe journey, I could describe what MY journey is like, but when you play it it will be much different. Journey touches everyone who plays it in a different way every one can feel a connection between this game and their lives. journey is amazing and not to be overlooked.
The graphics look insane on this game lol. Very nice, art style. One of the best I would say. Good job whoever made this game,
This brings up the question in my mind, what is better, A wonderful path, or the wonderful destination.
one thing that i have found out whilst watching a video also on youtube about someone playing journey is that you dont play solo until you find someone and finish it with them, but you may find one other player, get separated, find another, get separated, and continue doing that until you end the game.
2:50
That's actually a pretty amazing thought and idea.
I know right and I pray that they make another journey game but alot longer. This game was hella short but a perfect journey. I WANT A SEQUAL TOTHIS BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING WORK OF ART.
this game is very special to me. touched my heart. somehow... i dont know how to describe it. i play scenario paintball, battlefield 3 and all that. but this game is so special!!! only shadows of the colossus gave me that filling, but this is 100 times better!
I wish they made it for other platforms as well. Journey is actual ART.
Thank you for your posting. I'm certain we are all enlightened and refreshed by your unique point of view. Please feel free to post again when you actually have a rebuttal to what I said and can refrain from useless school yard taunts.
I watched a playthu and felt that it was a metaphor for life in that those who struggle thru hardship and attain excellence become the inspiring shooting stars for others to follow. This game is a deep and meaningful experience that I think needs to be shared with as many people as possible by being available on all gaming platforms. Otherwise, it cheapens the concept by whoring the game out as a gimmick to sell only a specific make of hardware.
I did, played it through - all you do is point towards the end - brilliant.
I may not be the best at describing things, but trust me, this game is an amazing experience. There's a demo for it you can download, if you'd like, though it don't show much of the story.
Yes the game has been out for a year now. If you haven't played it please do. The game is fantastic
It's not just about finding yourself, but also about receiving some sort of experience and touch when you sort of live you whole life through that game, something you cannot just re-create outside your TV-screen. And just to mention, games are real life, mate. They exist, therefore, real.
Astounding creative game experience, very different and very unique
One of my favorite game of all time!
People now days are so used to play fast pace games such as COD, Battlefield, and etc. This game is made to be relaxing , slow pace, and enjoyable. You could not rush through this game, slow down for once and be amazed. I think thats why some people think this game is boring. I have been playing as a white robe since January 2012 and had never stopped playing. I think once a week i dedicated my day on the game helping others past the game and get achievemnts.
Journey.. simple goal.. go to the mountain.. so simple but soo awesome *-* my favourite game forever ♥
Congrats ThatGameCompany for such a masterpiece.
I've always felt like we under estimate just how much knowledge and energy as well as understanding that children take in. Even if they don't understand it right away they will remember it and it will make an impression and as they mature they will understand and it will impact who they are if it made enough of an impression on them. It will surely stick.
I've heard a lot about Journey but I never really got to look it up until now. I might get the game.
Completely agree mate,games are also a way of expressing yourself,they certainly are artistic
This is the type of game that you have to treat like a story and adventure, not just a gam. You'll realize how much of a big difference it is to view one thing as something else, because this game compared to all others really IS something else.
Fair enough, you choose to view art very broadly. And you have absolutely the right to do that. I can see beauty in many things as well, even in the way streetlights throw shadows on other objects. But I wouldn't classify that as art.
This game made me cry too many times. I played with someone through the whole game with no stopping. I cried. Too much thinking to do in life.. Why?
i feel the same way. as i went through the story it just fills you with emotions... i could go on.. btw when i play this game i really take my time and project myself in the game as i play. i think they should make at least 2 more Journey games. ps: i am not really a "trophy hunter" but this game.. after i played lots of times (while taking my time) i got all the trophies : )
Actually, I think it targets all people. Its made to get you thinking about things you've never thought about. It isn't difficult, you cant die, and the controls are not complicated. This makes the game accessible. Its for everyone. And everyone needs to experience Journey.
I used to be crazy about games like COD and Halo, dont get me wrong halo up to 4 is fantastic, then they just started miking it. I plan to buy this game today, i cant wait to experience it. A unique experience this is what i want
it is art the people who make the game create a piece of art which in my opinion is even better than a museum because you can interact with it as a player character design level design lore music all created by people and then bought by others to enjoy as you would buy a ticket to a museum expect you can ejoy it over and over instead of paying and seeing it once ive played games that had artwork in it i would hang on the wall in my house... games are art
And this is exactly why I love this game... :)
I assume you say that because of how the game almost precisely follows The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Maybe you are fimiliar with "The Hero's Journey").
Journey made me think alot, not just about this game but about games in general. Games are often treated as movies or books in that you observe the things that occur but with games as a storytelling device we access feeling just barely visible before. I hope that games will do to the arts what films did to it when it's potential was unveiled.
"So I was on this mountain top and then it hit me; only those with PS3s should enjoy games with a message, nothing like sharing my experiences with those that can afford it"
Donnie Darko was a weird movie, though it was interesting to see a brother and sister playing brother and sister.
well, you usually play it in one go, so I thought you were complaining that it was too long. The game isvery replayable and extremely satisfying. Apparently the ending has moved many people to tear of joy, And I myself shed a few at the end of my first run.
We need more indie games like this
im proud to have this on my HD x
I fell in love with this game a few minutes after I started watching the video. Its beautiful, creative, and relaxing. The only part that bothered me was seeing their civilization fall into ruin due to the war over those power fabric creatures. :(
The only thing I dislike about Journey is that it's so damn short :/ Hopefully they make a second one. I really like this game.
Its nice to see a game thats not a freaking shooter have so much effort put into it.
this game is like the demon's blood in batman arkham city game ...... it will make most ppl go nuts , but some other's , the rare ones can find true serenity
*all the obstacles.. And to boost these feelings you will get through terribly dangerous and harsh places where you feel like the only shelter is near your partner.. You really feel a big mixture of emotions till you reach the so claimed light.. The journey's destiny... But when you play it, you will understand that destiny isn't the most important after all :).... Really, everyone, i recommend you to play this wonderful game :)
Ico came before Shadow of the Colossus. Colossus is considered its spiritual successor. It was made by the same devs, but wasn't marketed as much. Its still every bit as good.
I can definitely relate on feeling a loss after completing a deep storyline, man. I respect your stance on this. More than anything, though, it just irked me to see the original commenter implying that the work of (at the very least) a few dozen people over years was more "artistic" than the work of one. Don't get me wrong, games are very artistic, just in a different sense than traditional art or even music. Games are a culmination of many arts which is admirable though. But they are different.
The thing he said about language is especially true. The person who I really connected with in the game while playing was Japanese, and the person who my boyfriend connected with was German,
Some people do not enjoy these sorts of experiences. It's very deep and begs some serious questions about the nature of the world and life itself and definitely about humanity. These questions make people very uncomfortable at times and some people do not like that at all. That does not make these people wrong, just different. I was like that at one time. Even though I was clever and thought myself wise; I would never have been able to have this game touch me in the way it did at that time.
I have a life. I have a fantastic social life, a wonderful relationship with my beautiful gf, i'm into many sports ( long distance cycling being the main ). I'm off to university very soon and cant wait to show the rest of the world who I really am. Gaming is a way to get in touch with my friends/family that live in different countries. Don't judge a person by one sentence on what they play or do every now and again... Enjoy your life and make it unique to the rest of society :)
Beautiful! definitely ivolve Andean influence...
You are very right, good sir.
Even if there are many errors in your writing, what you say is true.
when i see journey and know i cant get it because ive already got an xbox360... i becaome sad... but it makes me happy that the game "below" will release on xbox1... so i can finally play... art... on my perfered platform :')
The title of the game is also well chosen!
Well, they ARE art by that definition. I think people are trying to say they are not "high" art. And if those people still don't see that they are high art.... they will.
Comes with the OSTs? Sounds great.
i can see that so in the end it basically comes down to beauty(art) is in the eye of the beholder :)
the sad thing with the world is that whenever you think "There can't be anyone this [insert statement or adjective here]", there usually is.
looks like this game targets people with high spirituality... its good and relaxing, hardcore gamers should play it once in a while.
It's somewhat a platformer, but as they were talking about in the video, that's hardly the focus of the game. The focus is your emotional journey as you travel through this. The "puzzles" are simple enough that you're very unlikely to be stuck, allowing you to immerse yourself in the game's environment.
this is sooo cooool ! is it avalaible on xbox360?
bring this game to steam!!!!
It took a while, but it finally happened :)
Games like this and heavy rain changed my opinion on Sony for the better. Yes, I know they didn't make it but there's gotta be something they did right that attracts developer like these to stay exclusive on their platform.
Jenova Chen, you are my hero!
I don't own an ounce of spirituality, I only have an appreciation for beauty. That is exactly why I love Journey as well.
There's nothing wrong with any of them. There's also nothing wrong with tastes changing over time. It's a sign that you actually have tastes that you find them changing as you gain new skills and experiences.
I want to play this game, but I'm more than $300 away from it, and it would be the only thing I would want to play on the PS3 as everything I want from my video game experiences is fulfilled by other means.
it shouldnt be any longer I think since its meant to play entirely in one sitting with another person. you can play multiple sittings and multiple people. but the best is just to go through the whole thing with one person in one sitting for an hour or 2.
looks like a badass game! i wanna play
is journey free to play?? I would love to get into it. please answer!
I think it's going in a pattern. First new things, then when the more successful things are discovered, like FPS games. Then we start making FPS games, when FPS games become stale and boring. New things arrive again. Then after a certain time. They take what is successful and repeat the process.
i can see hayao miyazaki's elements in this game
it reminds me alot in terms of style of shadow of the colossus
the guy at 3:25 looked really cool
Love this game.
Resistance 3 was a bit disappointing compared to is predecessor BUT it introduced us to a new setting that was focused more on survival than war, like in the past. Don't let disappointment degrade it. It still is a phenomenal game, just not as much as the older ones. 90% of PS3 exclusives are better than the limited amount of 360 exclusives. The 10% being games like SOCOM, which was the ULTIMATE let down.
The travellers we might meet in the game. Are they people like me or people who're in the game and pop up randomly? Can someone answer this please.
Hm... Usually I play different kinds of games. It looks like it'd be interesting to play but I haven't seen too much gameplay footage but I keep hearing good things about it. I think I'm going to give it a try before I judge it atleast :P
This game is life!
Open to interpretation
I fell in love with this game a few minutes after I started watching the video. Its beautiful, creative, and relaxing. The only part that bothered me was seeing their civilization fall into ruin due to the war over those power fabric creatures. :(
well the funny thing is if you try changing the power fabric into land and oil it wouldnt look that much diffirent to our own civilization
Fjölnir þór well there's already land. You're right though.
i haven't played this game but it feels like paulo coelho's 'the alchemist'!