Blossoming Gameplay – Flower Reviewed

While we indisputably love gaming, there are moments when we wish developers offered more innovation and diversity in their endeavors. Although today’s games featured high-def graphics that border of photorealism, many titles are built around the antiquated concept of lives, continues, and boss encounters. Occasionally, we’ll hear of a game that purportedly transcends the paradigm; a recent example being PixelJunk Eden. While the title was unquestionably compelling, is was still steeped in the trappings of time limits and pesky enemies.

So we approached Flower with a healthy dose of journalistic skepticism. Sure, developer ThatGameCompany created FlOw, a surreal diversion that shunned many of the trappings of electronic entertainment. While the title was interesting, it lacked a certain spark to warrant long-term play. As the opening cinematic of Flower began to play, our cynicism gently waned.

Flower focuses on juxtapositions- as the game begins, a drab and noisy city gives way to the colorful serenity of nature. Inside a small urban apartment, a single wilted flower rests on a windowsill, desperately clinging to life. Selecting the plant transports it to an open field, where the plant drops a single petal. By manipulating the Sixaxis, players control the trajectory of the petal. Pressing any of the buttons on the controller sends the flora forward, as if guided by some unseen breeze. As players pass near other flowers, the plants spring to life, adding additional petals. Before long, the player will be controlling a stream of multicolored cascade of petals, all moving dynamically in a wind current. Controlling the flight of the florets is nothing less than exhilarating; player can speed through waves of grass that react realistically to the breeze, or ascend up to picturesque heights that display the entire landscape.
 
Graphically, we can’t think of another title that captures the breathtaking spendor of nature as well as this game. From waves of swaying grass, gorgeous trees, craggy canyons, and an amazing sunset, Flower captures the magnificence of nature like no other game. Flower’s interpretation of the beauty of Terra Firma is so amazing, at times we felt guilty sitting in front of our PS3, instead of admiring the real thing.  Whereas, the azure backdrops of flOw were unchanging, Flower presents the player with six unique levels to traverse.

The title’s soundtrack is wonderfully minimal, yet surprisingly effective. Gentle piano and violin riffs that underscore the action are accented by soothing musical notes when the player passes the blossoming flora. As sights and sounds converged, we found ourselves becoming lost in the moment, a euphoric experience that games like Sonic the Hedgehog or NiGHTS into Dreams only briefly gave us. While some may bemoan the two to three hour length of the title, the game is built for replay- trophies distribution leans toward level re-examination.