Flower

Firstly, I just want to mention that you wan watch my video review at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOPLrGEJT80

Secondly, make sure to visit www.freezecracker.com, as that's where I post more of my reviews, video game music covers, and just anything related to gaming.

Now, on to the review!

Flower is the second game available on the Playstation Network made by ThatGameCompany, who previously made the ever-so-popular flOw. Flower and flOw appear to be similar: they both are controlled by the six-axis, they both don’t have HUDs, and both are meant to be relaxing. However, this is where the similarities end.

flOw was a game with a great premise and a great mechanic, but the only problem is that the game just felt like a series of levels which let to the end credits. It never really gave you a sense of accomplishment, nor did it drive you to even finish the game. Flower is a different case.

The gameplay, in Flower, is made up of you tilting the six-axis controller to control the direction of the wind, which in turn flies a group of flowers around. You can also press any button to speed up the wind and send your flowers soaring. Now, you might be thinking “what the fuck is this shit? Lair?” Well, let me tell you: this game gets the six-axis right. I have no complaints whatsoever about the controls. What you do in the game is you fly your group of flowers around and collect other flowers. There are many types of flowers you can collect that trigger different events whether it is starting up a windmill, opening up a new path, or sending you soaring through a canyon. Even though it seems simple, there’s plenty of variety to be had.

Surprisingly, Flower offers up a deep experience behind the glorious colors and the relaxing vibe of the game. Basically, your main menu is a bleak looking apartment and you choose a flower in order to choose your level. The first couple of levels has you restoring color to the grey and damaged plains throughout the land, until it gets to the later levels. Now, I don’t want to give away too much, as discovery is part of the experience, but let’s just say that you end up serving a purpose for your actions within the game. There even is an ‘enemy type’, so to speak, within the game and you can even get damaged, though you can’t actually see a game over screen. This even escalates to the point where there’s a type of ‘boss battle’. Again, I don’t want to give too much away.

What else can I say about this game? The graphics are fantastic, especially when your just above the grass as the wind makes a cut in the blades; the music is some of the best I’ve heard in a game; and it’s well-paced, there was never a moment where I’ve had enough of the game.

Now comes the question: should you buy it? It’s only a 4 hour game on your first play through, and it doesn’t offer much replay-ability, other than trophies (which, in this game, are pretty witty) and secret flowers that can open up a hidden level. So, why should you buy it? Well, look at it this way: a movie costs 10 dollars, just as much as this game. However, this game is one of the most immersive and relaxing experience I’ve had in a while, more than what I can say for any movie I’ve seen lately. So, do yourself a favour: skip seeing a movie this weekend and buy Flower.

9.5/10