[quote name='J7.']I take it that air juggling is non-intentional on the developer's part. Not sure I want to play it then. Can you compare the gameplay to any other game?[/QUOTE]
It seemed intentional to me. The more you work with your partner, the easier the Journey is.
I can't compare it to any other game, it is very unique and fun experience. The game mechanics are simple, but elegant. You can collect words/symbols to upgrade your scarf. Plus find all the wall paintings and you'll get a new robe. In my opinion, the game is meant to be played through in 1 sitting. Shouldn't take more than 2 hours. And to be played more than once (for fun, not higher difficulty level bullshit). There is a hub-area where you can level/area-select after beating the game, or make a whole new journey.
Simply put, you wander a desert, trying to climb a mountain. You can jump, float, revive/ride carpets a short distance, chirp to signal/beckon partner, recharge scarf. There is a danger element you'll find while playing the game, and it genuinely feels tense. The game is short. My best recommendation is watch a 5 minutes youtube clip to get a basic idea, but that won't convey the beauty imo. Soundtrack is amazing and won some awards.
The Journey CE on disk version comes with Flower+Flow, Soundtracks, and a few other extras. Very nice deal if find on sale at $15, MSRP is $30 I think. But retailers have better sales than digital, so it should go on sale again.