Although last week’s WeView may have produced a unanimous decision, I’m not willing to give up on downloadable titles in my quest to draw out a variety of opinions. Flower seems like an interesting choice to me, with its unique gameplay style and its position as more of a visual poem than a traditional game seeming like it might get the community chattering over in the forums this week.
Of course, this does all fall down a little if our review is anything to go by. When we reviewed the game back in 2009, we gave it the highest rating you can get from TSA; 10/10. Of course, we had more to say about it than just the score:
Overall it is relatively short, with a single playthrough being somewhere around two hours, but whilst it may not provide masses of varied replayability, my continuing hunger to play it just one more time makes up for that. If you don’t own this you are doing yourself a disservice. Some may think that £6.29 for two hours of gameplay isn’t good enough value for money. My response is simple; never before has a game moved me so strongly, never before has a game made my day better, never before has a game affected my view on life and never again will I be so content with the spending of a handful of pounds.
Those words from over two years ago are certainly still accurate for many, although I’d certainly disagree. Flower drives me mad, as I compulsively try and collect every flower in order. Rather than relaxing into the game I go completely against the flow, irritating anyone else who watches me play.
So there you have two fairly different opinions on the game but what are your thoughts on thatgamecompany’s second game? If you feel like sharing your thoughts then head over to the forums and leave us your thoughts on the game. Whilst I’m not going to discount longer reviews, please remember that the aim is for short, snappy opinions. More than that I simply don’t have the time to wade through longer reviews, so if you want to have your opinion included in the verdict post try to keep it short.
Once you’ve written your review make sure you give it a score on the Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Rent It, Avoid It scale. Remember, if you want your score and opinion included in Monday’s verdict post you need to have it done by Sunday afternoon, otherwise I’ll have written it and you’ll be left out in the cold.
Of course, as this is a download title you can’t actually get it from the Bargain Bin or Rent It. However, try not to take it literally and simply as part of the scale.
Forrest_01
I technically got it from the bargain bin, as i got it when it was reduced to £2 or £3 in the PSN Store Sale!! :)
MadBoJangles
As did I.
Would happily have paid a damn sight more too :)
Great experience, topped Flow for me!
Forrest_01
I personally wasn’t sure about whether i would enjoy it when i bought it, plus the reported length of the game, which is why i waited for the price drop before taking the plunge.
I shouldn’t have worried though, as it’s a fantastic experience & worth so much more than i paid for it!
Snakefingers13
Legendary game.
cam the man
Not really into this sort of game but really enjoyed Flower.
Kevatron400
In fairness, what else is “this sort of game”?
KeRaSh
I can’t seem to recall the game being THAT short. I think it actually took me more like 4-6 hours to complete the game and maybe a little more for missing trophies. It’s hard to put this game in words because they will always do it injustice. You have to experience it. I’d say buy it but I’m sure everyone already has this game. :P
sideshow
Excellent. Only con I found was the cutscenes – on second playthrough they should really have left you in control: they broke the flow, and it would have been awesome to fly through the event as it unfolded, instead of being stuck looking at it from a pre-determined angle.
TSBonyman
I’m on hols from tomorrow but will try get something done for this before the wknd, I love flower! :)
TSBonyman
oops , that wasn’t meant to be a reply, but as i’m here… :)
I wasn’t terribly bothered with the lack of control during the fleeting ‘cutscenes’ although admittedly it did figure a little because at the end of each one you find your ‘cursor’ has moved to a different position so i understand what you mean. The fact that those instances, for me at least, introduced a slight sense of worry just goes to show how ‘attached’ you become to the game.
FireasBall
Got all the trophys. Just an awesome game
three_leg_jake
Could never get that “Reach the city unscathed” one….grrrrrr
jbni
I’d ended up using this tactic to get it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQFfeNl-tLM
Rob92
Hated every single second of it.
Boring and too presumptive in its execution. But I’m obviously in the minority.
bacon_nuts
That sucks, the whole point of the game was to evoke positive emotions from the player. Can’t be praised by all though, Oh well!
bunimomike
I think the fact that I’ve entered a mini-review means about as much as it can to me. All of the other titles so far were great but easy to see happening on a console. This, however, was not.
Kennykazey
I recently bought it, and loved it so much I’ve been savouring it, playing only one level at the time so it would last longer. Going to finish it this week though, so I guess I’ll write a short review of it.
Pritchie101
Flower was a powerful game. Different from killing guys with RPGs and AK-47’s! I bought Flower in the PSN sale, but I would’ve got it for the full price anyway! 10/10.