Flower Review

February 9, 2009 - thatgamecompany has depicted something that I never once imagined: what would a flower's dream look like if we could see it? Flower, a PS3 downloadable that comes as a spiritual successor to flOw, is one of the most beautiful games that I've ever played. Not just because the visuals are entirely breathtaking, but also because the experience of playing it offers more enjoyment, emotion and enlightenment than any game I've tried in years.

Before you read on, keep in mind that Flower isn't quite for everyone. There will be those that experiment with it but won't see the point, as it strays so far from the traditional spectrum of gameplay systems, but it's truly worth playing.

Flower is a poem, where you as the player participate in the dreams of flowers confined to the ever-changing landscape of a colorless city. Each dream, or stage, revolves around a different theme and gameplay objective, but your method of control remains the same: tilt the controller to direct a series of flower petals through beautiful environments. Press any button to stir up a wind that will coax them along. As you begin with one flower petal, you'll soon touch other flowers and gather more petals, generally influencing the environment in a way that pleases the dreamer. This setup works amazingly well to create varying tasks for you to enjoy.

As odd as it sounds, thatgamecompany has created one of the most elegantly crafted gaming experiences of all time, where learning only takes a moment -- if it doesn't already come naturally. I've never felt motion controls work so seamlessly before, but Flower is a testament to how effective the scheme can be when used properly. Even turning the controller upside down will cause the petals to blow in a loop or travel towards the camera. Furthermore, the fact that the game only requires one button (any button on the controller) makes it totally approachable. I found the right analog stick to be my favorite method of controlling the wind, as applying a light amount of pressure caused a weaker breeze and subsequently allowed for more precise control.

In truth, that's really all there is to Flower from a gameplay perspective, but the experience is much more fulfilling than you could understand just from reading about it. Watching the petals join together in a subtle blend of light and musical notes while thousands of blades of grass billow back to life stirred deeply-rooted emotions in me. The majesty of it all stems from the fact that Flower tells you so much by saying so little -- as if a Zen poem had been lovingly shaped into a videogame. This is the sort of experience that anyone can enjoy with the right attitude. There is no death or failure. You simply complete the objectives and solve organic puzzles in your own time while basking in the euphoria of the game's visuals and music.

But for gamers more interested in traditional challenges, there are secrets to be found in each stage, as well as extremely clever Trophies that tie in brilliantly with the game's overarching philosophy. Although the entire game can be "completed" in under an hour and a half, there is an impressive amount of replay value that comes just from playing in the sweeping fields. For example, one dream allows you to change your petals to one of three different colors. Skirting across the grass in this state will paint the grass that color, giving you the freedom to color an entire valley as you see fit. This is entirely optional and unobtrusive in its design, but adds a layer of gameplay onto the stage that enhances the richness of the experience.


Although I admit that I would have liked to see even more in Flower, I am completely comfortable with the game's length. The reward you receive emotionally is easily worth the ten dollar price tag. Flower is also the type of game that you can come back to just for the joy of playing it again. It's so streamlined and elegant that I'm even content to let it sit idly on my PS3, as it will quietly switch to stunning landscape shots of the current stage.

Closing Comments
thatgamecompany's Co-founder, Jenova Chen, told me that Flower is experimenting with territory outside the traditional "fun pie," an abstract pie chart Chen constructed that maps out the emotions and motives of modern game genres. If you're interested in something very unique and very powerful, Flower is a must-play. It will especially resonate with people that possess a deep connection with nature and spirituality, as it's the type of game that reaches out to us and whispers about the beauty of life -- without saying anything at all.