Indie game studio Thatgamecompany has just given fans an early Christmas gift by unexpectedly releasing iOS version of its critically acclaimed PlayStation 3 game Journey.

Jenova Chen, creative director and cofounder of the LA-based game developer, announced on Twitter that Journey is now available for download for iOS users. The game can be found at Apple's digital marketplace for $4.99.

"Journey the older sister of Sky is out on iOS today!" Chen wrote.

"Thanks to @A_i and @SonySantaMonica, three thatgamecompany games are within my pocket ready to play at all time!"

Thatgamecompany's Journey

Journey features gameplay centered on a mysterious hooded character who is on a quest to reach a mountain on the horizon. Players can progress through the game by interacting with various elements in the surroundings.

In some cases, gamers can encounter other players throughout their adventures. However, since Journey only allows communication using in-game shouts, players are asked to be more creative in coming up with unique languages for their conversations.

Despite its seemingly open-world environment, the game leads players to fixed places on the map. It does allow them to explore these open areas to discover secrets, collect energy, and interact with pieces of fabric that act as landmarks to help move Journey's story along.

Switch To Mobile Gaming

The release marks the third Thatgamecompany title to be offered for mobile devices. The company recently rolled out the iOS version of its latest game Sky: Children of the Light, with other platform versions set to be released on a later date.

Meanwhile, the game developer already released a mobile version of its PS3 smashed hit Flower in 2017.

Fans and game critics alike laud Journey as one of the best indie video games ever to come out.

Russ Frushtick of Polygon praised the game's world design, describing it as "awe-inspiring." While the scenery is pretty much dominated by sand, Frushtick said it has its own unique beauty as if "flowing in the wind like water."

Frushtick also liked how Thatgamecompany limited interactions between characters, which forces players to get along in the game. The use of in-game shouts to communicate prevents gamers from yammering at each other about their trophies or achievements. Frushtick said the worst the players can do is to continually shout next to each other, but that may not be such a bad idea since it also fills up their energy.

Overall, Frushtick gave Journey a glowing recommendation.

"Whether you've been playing games since childhood, play Angry Birds on the commute into work, or you just cruised the Xarthan Nebula with your new pulse engine and don't even know what a video game is, you'll be affected by this journey," Frushtick wrote.

"It should be experienced by everyone."