Flower is a hard game to review, because in my mind, it's not really a game. Sure, there's an objective, and you play it using a controller, but having played the game all the way through, I still wouldn't really describe it as a game, more like an experience.
Flower is brought to you by the same people that made flOw, a game I haven't personally played, but from what I've heard through various sources, is a wonderful game, and a shining example of what can be released through the Playstation Network. So far, reviews of Flower seem to follow that same recommendation. For those that don't know, the basic idea of Flower is, honestly, hard to pin down. I described it to the people in my family and friends that I've shown, as a game where you basically play as nature. You start each level as a single flower petal, and you control the wind itself in order to blow this petal around the “level,” finding other flowers to “pollinate,” and therefore to cause the area around you to bloom and blossom into beautiful landscapes. It might not sound like a very exciting experience, and I can understand that viewpoint, but that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable one.
The first thing you'll notice when you pick up the game is that it is absolutely gorgeous. When you compare Flower to a handful of other Playstation Network games, along with the majority of WiiWare and XBox Live Community Games, the graphics stand alone as truly amazing. It just goes to show what a game company is capable of. Flying through the beautiful landscapes of Flower is awe-inspiring, and it becomes even more so the further along in the “level” you go. As you go pollinating the various flowers, the grass surrounding them will go from yellow to a luscious green. More flowers will pop up from the ground and blossom, and the whole area just becomes much more beautiful. One of my favorite things to do after I've played a certain “level” for a while is to fly high up into the air and just look down at the beautiful vistas before me. Each “level” is home to thousands of blades of grass, and other various flora and fauna, and yet the game doesn't slow down in the slightest. There is no hint of slowdown whatsoever.
Another amazing part of the experience that is Flower, is the sound. From the sounds of the wind whistling through the air, the sound of flowers blooming, and the sounds of the grass being moved by the wind itself are absolutely wonderful. While it might not be full of powerful explosions to test out your sound system, this is definitely a game you'll want to play with the volume on high. Something that most people I've shown the game to didn't seem to notice, but that I did and think is a wonderful idea, is that every flower you touch with your petal(s) creates a sound. Chain a few flowers together, and it creates a beautiful song that goes absolutely perfectly with the soundtrack. Not only are there sounds of nature, but the music itself is wonderful, and fits the whole experience that is Flower like a glove.
Yet another amazing thing about Flower, to me at least, are the controls. Pretty much everything in the game is done through Sixaxis control, and this is one of the few games to get it exactly right. Throughout my whole playing experience, I didn't once feel like I was fighting with the controls trying to get the wind to blow in the direction I wanted. Every single button on the controller does the exact same thing, so it's a wonderful game to show off to people, and it's very easy for others to get into and get right to the game without having to learn complex button commands.
Overall, Flower is a game that should not be missed. At only $9.99, the game is not a huge hit on your wallet, so even if for some strange reason you don't like it, you aren't out $60, which I think is great. It is definitely a game worth checking out. Not only is it a visually and aurally amazing game to experience, it is one of the most relaxing games I have ever had the privilege of playing.
Grade:
A
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