Game Review: Flower

My philosophy when approaching video games is that every aspect must merge with the gameplay. Ideally every bit of the game should complement the core concept and gameplay. This is very hard to do, but Flower is one of those games that does this.

I was extremely reluctant to download Flower after hearing about its short length. Many, many reviews praised its art and said little about its gameplay. I knew it was about controlling the wind or something, and that it was about collecting flower petals. I also knew it primarily use the SIXAXIS controls, but besides those tidbits, I was in the dark. The gameplay seemed barely worthwhile and I was afraid I was burning close to $10 for a piece of interactive art when I wanted a game.

I was pleasantly surprised. While Flower certainly is beautiful, it is a joy to play, not just experience (something I have heard too much about the game). The gameplay is simple: you hold down any button to speed up a gust of wind blowing a bunch of flower petals, and tilt the controller to in the direction you want the petals to move. You start with a lone flower petal and blow past more and more flowers, picking up petals and blooming flowers as you go. Eventually you will wind up with a long trail of petals behind you. Flowers are often grouped together in a pattern and if you bloom the grouped flowers together you with change the landscape allowing you to move on. Blooming flowers can do everything from coloring in a bland landscape to activating windmills to shifting gigantic rock outcroppings. Your goal is to reach the end of the level. You can also find hidden teal flowers if you want to look for a challenge. The gameplay is smooth and although you may have trouble controlling the wind in some tight spots, the game is never frustrating.

While the game sounds the simple, the addition of beautiful sights and sounds are what make the game. The levels are amazingly beautiful. The way the grass reacts in the wind is very realistic and the seemingly endless landscapes invokes a feeling of freedom. The fact that so many objects can be rendered is stunning. Each flower makes a unique sound of a different instrument and tone and makes collecting petals very satisfying. Often times blooming the landscape causes a bland landscape to burst with color, rewarding the player. Even the sound effects of the wind blowing and the rattling of grass blades are superbly done, making you feel truly as if you are controlling the wind (I even found myself making whooshing noises as I played, much to my embarrassment).

The game has no text and tells the story through pictures and superb level design. Each part of the game has a different feel: the freedom of the open plains, the serenity of a calm summer night, and the terror of a thunderstorm. The gameplay doesn’t get stale and the pacing is just right. The game menus are integrated perfectly into the actual game and the detailed shots of the level you are rewarded with after you beat a level will make you stare in awe. No part of this game is filler or wasted fluff and is perfectly integrated into the core. $9.99 is a fair price for this wonderful game, especially considering I have played it several times over. By all means, if you have the means, you should buy it or at least play it!

GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is smooth and uses motions controls well, but may be over-simplistic

AESTHETICS
Everything coming out of the speakers and the TV is perfect and mesmerizing!

OVERALL
Almost everything fits perfectly together in this game, and the feel of the game offsets its short length