When I mentioned that I like simulation games someone recommended the little game Flower for my Vita. I searched the library, and there it was: € 7,99 for the full game, and with a free demo to give it a try. No reason not to, because with more then 1.500 people left a review for the game and the overall score was 4,5 out of 5.
How best to describe this game? It’s made by Thatgamecompany and was originally released for the PS3 in 2006, and for the Vita ( and on PS4) late 2013. The genre of the game is described at Relaxation, which really stands out in the sea of shooters, action and racing games. Well, I can use some relaxation in my busy life, so I was curious to give it a try. Let me describe it first. In Flower, you control the wind, blowing a flower petal through the air using the movement of the Vita. Each of the six chapters (and one credit level) is distinguished by a flower pot sitting silently on the windowsill of a busy city apartment.
Selecting a plant will show you his dream, which range from bringing to life a dull and colourless field to destroying the power lines that are absorbing the energy of the plants around them.
What I had to get used to was that the game features no text or dialogue, you have to find out what to do through what you see, and the feeling it gives. I saw that my lonely white petal flew around, and when I pressed a button, the wind helped me to let it go faster. When it flew this way close to a flower bud the flower opened, and some more petals followed. We found a barren spot with some flower buds in the middle. Flying through them gave an unexpected effect: the barren area turned green! That gave me a clue as to what to do, and in the end everything was vibrant green, and even the tree in the middle that had been quite dead, came to life again.
I couldn’t resist the urge to race through the grass, and find the last bud quickly, wanting to see what happens next. I really shouldn’t have, I should have just intuitively let my device roll with the wind, just for the fun of it, and listen to the relaxing music in the background. So, no goals, just enjoy the movement and find pleasure in what you achieve as petal. They say that you can play the whole game in an hour. First of all, for that price it’s fine by me, second of all, I don’t think it needs to be longer, as there’s replay value in it.
Fun fact about the game: The Smithsonian Museum in Washington has added Flower to its permanent collection! It will be joining first person shooter Halo 2006 there, how about that?
I recently purchased a compilation disc by thatgamecompany for the purpose of getting a copy of Journey for my PS3. The disc includes this game, but I have never tried it. Thank you for the review it has inspired me to get it out and try it. The game Journey gave me such an experience that it is hard to put into words. thatgamecompany have such an ability to step outside the box to create something that has never been done before in gaming.
And thank you for the tip, I’ll check out Journey too, to see if it’s on the Vita. They do have a unique way of making games. It made me feel a bit like playing Soulbubbles, a little known game for the DS, that had the same relaxing feeling.
Ah, Flower.
This will always have a special place in my gamer heart.
It’s just so beautiful and soothing.
@turbografxkid
I will need to give Journey a try. I have heard so much good things about it.
As soon as it comes out on the PS4 I will definitely get around to playing it.
Beautiful and soothing indeed!
I checked Journey, sadly it’s not downloadable to the Vita. But maybe in future!