The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage
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Product Reviews of The Journey to Wild Divine Biofeedback Software & Hardware for PC & Mac: The Passage
Product Review: New age game with biofeedback
Summary: 4 Stars
I am only motivated to write a review if I think there is some observation I have that is not already captured in the product description or other's reviews. So I am going to try to focus on what I didn't get from other reviews and then what I found.
I found this game because I was looking for some sort of biofeedback tool. This has biofeedback instrument that connects to 3 fingers and interfaces to the computer with a USB. The sensors measure heart rate variability and skin conductance levels. When I refer to this as a game it isn't because it's keeping score per se, it is because if you are wanting to come at this from a clinical or scientific approach, you will be disappointed. That's not to say that there are not real science and psychology behind the technology, it is because the game presents it in a new age coating - for instance, calling the instruments "magic rings" and the USB device a "light stone". My initial thoughts were to roll with the premise and hopefully I would learn in the process. After spending time with the game, I think this is possible. If you are reading this wondering if you want to shell out nearly $150 and want to know more about what you're getting into, I have a few more observations.
I didn't find the hardware and software particularly polite or friendly. To get things to work, I ended up removing other USB devices. I am not sure what was going on, but I find that inconvenient and I have been rebooting the machine before or after the game to clear issues that I find with other software and devices. In the same vein, I don't like the way the software takes over the graphics display, resets the screen resolution, and virtually traps my use to the game until I exit. Of course, when the resolution of the screen has been changed like that, one's desktop and other applications are rearranged and re-sized. Not cool. While this means one can see the game's graphics to their best advantage, this practice of the programmers is simply rude. Also, even though one should allow proper time to get into the game, relax and meditate, once in a while one needs to quickly return to some other computer application, and one cannot simply minimize a game window - it has taken over, so one must quit and wait for around 3 screens of graphics or credits before one gets their computer back. Also rude. If you thought of using this at work for a quick way to take a meditation break, this will probably be a hindrance. Pity.
Essentially the game is a collection of biofeedback exercises placed in an imaginary world created by graphics - there are example screen shots available elsewhere so you can see what the world looks like. I must say in my complaining about the rudeness of how they are implemented on one's machine, they create a rather stunning effect - almost taking advantage of the fuzziness of the graphics to create a more mystical looking world. One needs to negotiate the world by choosing directions and various nodes to discover locations of the exercises. Although there is a map, when one is in the game it is difficult to know where one is or one is going and this is not what is useful in a game meant for relaxation. Some exercises are well-explained in context and even on the first tries one can start to get the wordless kind of thinking one needs to affect changes in the autonomic system by working with conscious thought. However, there are some exercises that I have no idea what I am supposed to do and nothing within the game seems to tell me. I then found the accompanying book that gives hints. While I am capable of reading, it is kind of a drag to try to use the computer with one hand, have the sensors on another hand, then try to juggle a book that is mostly trying to build a sense of fantasy as much as helping one learn how to best use the game as a tool.
There is another product by the same group called "healing rhythms" which seems to be much of the same exercises but without the metaphor of the fantasy game to wade through. It also includes tools to actually graph the inputs from the sensors, seemingly to allow one to approach the biofeedback from more of a clinical, scientific way. If this is true, I probably would have been happier with this approach versus the approach of this game. However, if you wish to be able to enter a world of gardens, landscapes, and buildings to explore while at the same time discovering exercises along the way, the Journey to the Wild Divine could be for you.
Product Review: so so or my expectations were too high
Summary: 3 Stars
I have liked the adventures of Myst and Riven games... this one has much less sophisticated graphics. I honestly
haven't gotten very far into the J WD.. because frankly, it's slow going. I will keep at it.. was too expensive to dump. I thought hard before buying... wish i'd though harder.
Product Review: Very helpful software
Summary: 4 Stars
I use this software for educational purposes for school age children. Other than being overly "religious" in terminology, it is very helpful in enhancing attention and focus of children with problems in these areas. The children also seem to like using this program as well.Product Review: Wouldn't Install on MacBook Pro - Very disappointed
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this product from Amazon. Received it and it wouldn't install on my MacBook Pro with Intel chip. I got to pay postage to receive it and postage to send it back and got zero out of it. It was not enlightening or pleasurable. MacBook Pro users: take warning don't waste your hope, time or money, learn from my bad experience. I'm also disappointed that Amazon doesn't take any responsibility for what they are selling. I was forced to give the product one star to save by rating. Unfortunately, negative 5 stars is not a rating. Caveat emptor!Product Review: Good meditatiton aid
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife and I have used this a few times now and really like it. From a novice's point of view, this is a great meditation aid. I like being able to get the visual feedback as I calm and center myself. I guess the hardest part is not letting myself get too anxious as I try to accomplish the task in front of me.
It's also a very pretty game with very lush and detailed visuals as well as a nice soundtrack.