Flock Review - Creature Comforts

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen it all – from open-world epics to fast-paced action games. But lately, I’ve grown tired of the same old formula. That’s why Flock has captured my heart in a way few games have before.


In simpler terms, the genre of collecting and training fantastical creatures is largely ruled by Pokemon. However, Flock shares some similarities in this regard but offers a distinct experience. If you’re searching for a game identical to Pokemon, you won’t find it in Flock. Instead, think of Flock as an observational game where you discover various creatures with unique physical and behavioral characteristics, filling up your Field Guide. While the concept of collecting creatures is reminiscent of Pokemon, Flock presents a more relaxed and endearing experience. It’s more about observing the creatures in their natural habitats rather than training them for battles. This fresh take on the genre results in an enjoyable experience.

I’m utterly enchanted by Flock and its vibrant, breathtaking setting, The Uplands. As the protagonist with the ability to customize my character and soar on the wings of my faithful avian companion, I embark on an adventure to assist my aunt and her friends at their quaint camp. They’re in need of help cataloging the diverse array of creatures inhabiting this land. The entire experience unfolds from the comfort of my bird-mount, with the game intuitively adjusting our altitude while I maneuver horizontally. It’s an effortless, delightful sensation akin to gliding down a slide at the playground, leaving me eager for more.

The game maintains a playful and childlike atmosphere, with vibrant, sweets-toned scenery and a compact group of characters whose dialogue is generally accessible to people of various age groups. However, these characters occasionally impart mature themes in their conversations. It’s reminiscent of the way characters in many Cartoon Network shows communicate. The game doesn’t aim to be surreptitious like some Dreamworks films with hidden adult humor; instead, it engages its audience with a touch of sophistication, reflected in the characters’ choice of words. Its soothing soundtrack, composed entirely of soft music, contributes to an ever-calming and contemplative gaming experience.

Flock Review - Creature Comforts

In essence, this creature collector is similar to a bird-watching game with a fantastical twist. You don’t just observe birds; instead, you ride on a bird and discover creatures that aren’t found on Earth. The gameplay mechanics are straightforward. Your goal is to identify the twelve unique species you come across, such as Bewls, Sprugs, and Drupes, by determining their families and specific types.

As a seasoned botanist with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently tell you that not every Drupe looks or behaves exactly the same. You might think you’ve discovered a new species, but hold your horses! Is it a Wandering Drupe with its wandering tendencies and distinctive features? Or perhaps a Balsamic Drupe, known for its unique balsamic properties? Maybe even a Yellowlegs Drupe, so named for its distinctively yellow legs.

In some cases, the names of animals provide useful clues about their physical characteristics – for instance, Yellowlegs have yellow legs as suggested by their name. However, it’s essential to be cautious when making assumptions based on names alone. Occasionally, multiple members of a species possess similar traits, necessitating a closer inspection. Do they walk in a distinct manner? Do they exhibit color-changing abilities? Or perhaps they travel in compact groups? With the game providing essential information about each creature before you encounter them, selecting the appropriate one from the list is typically straightforward, although some may require more effort to distinguish than others.

In simpler terms, the game is uncomplicated and forgiving. There aren’t any penalties for mistakes or rewards for correct answers. The atmosphere is intentionally low-pressure, allowing me to enjoy exploring the captivating game world without any fear of failure. Despite being a video game with typical gaming elements, Flock doesn’t maintain a score or have many instances where you can lose. Instead, the pleasure of discovery in this engaging world is its own reward.

The process of encountering an animal is the initial step, followed by recognizing them in the second stage. Winning an animal’s trust comes third. To win an animal’s trust, it’s essential to learn their unique sounds, which can be discovered by locating hidden whistles around the world. Acquiring these whistles and using them is similar to identifying animals – it’s a straightforward task. In this context, sending your sheep out to graze will help uncover a Burgling Bewl – a creature infamous for stealing items – who ultimately returns the stolen goods.

Flock Review - Creature Comforts

Collecting 12 whistles from your aunt allows you to allure various game creatures using a short activity. This involves aligning on-screen symbols and playing the corresponding notes in sync, resulting in a quick-time challenge. Missing these prompts will startle the animals and cause them to flee, but there’s always another creature nearby for you to try and charm by exploring their environment.

As I advance in the game, the fog covering the scenery gradually lifts, unveiling fresh biomes teeming with unique animals and even new species. Each new environment is inhabited by researchers similar to me, NPCs who share valuable insights and present challenges for wool, a resource I can collect from my very own sheep and use as currency to buy amusing outfits like the “Mustard Style” collection – a variety of hats, shirts, and more, all predominantly colored like the condiment.

As a gamer, I found myself totally immersed in these straightforward activities. But what really made this game shine for me is the intricate challenge of discovering all the various animals. Sometimes, tracking down certain creatures required specific conditions, like visiting a particular biome during a specific time of day or spotting them from afar with the game’s focus mode. Some animals were elusive and hard to find, making the hunt even more thrilling.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m always on the lookout for elusive animals in this captivating virtual world. One creature hides in smoke trails that I must follow tenaciously. Another animal reveals itself through a series of vivid and greasy markings that demand my investigation. And yet another one camouflages itself among the drooping fungi in a mushroom forest, almost invisible to the untrained eye.

Instead of feeling like a tiresome chore to collect all items in Flock as the game progresses, I find myself eager to finish my Field Guide with its fifty-five animals. Unlike most games where the process becomes more laborious, these creatures in Flock present more complex tasks that result in the game’s most rewarding discoveries. A few rare ones don’t even have names yet, offering you a chance to select their moniker from a list of fitting suggestions, all contributing to the game’s warm and inviting atmosphere.

As a gamer, I’ve grown tired of being the all-powerful human bossing around creatures in collectors’ games. It’s no longer exciting or comfortable for me. Instead, Flock offers a breath of fresh air, where I’m just another member of an ecosystem. I don’t capture animals; instead, they follow me when I charm them, forming a colorful procession. There’s no harm or control in the Uplands of Flock. I’m not there to dominate nature for personal gain. Instead, I’m there to learn about the world and assist my family member on this journey. The shift in perspective and gameplay is one of the aspects I enjoy most about Flock.

Flock Review - Creature Comforts

I have only a few issues with this game. While the goals are generally achievable, instructions are sometimes hidden within conversations with non-playable characters (NPCs). If you fail to absorb crucial details during these interactions, there’s no mechanism to revisit or replay the dialogue. Consequently, I once found myself at a loss when unlocking a new biome without realizing that a subtle hint about my objective had been mentioned earlier.

In the game, I often failed to call back my sheep after they finished grazing in certain areas to help me uncover hidden treasures, known as Burgling Bewls. From a gameplay perspective, it didn’t make sense for me to actively call them back, leading to occasional frustration when I discovered, too late, that they were far away from me, sometimes hundreds of meters distant. Although the game world isn’t large, having to go back and retrieve my sheep slowed me down. Ideally, the sheep should return to me once they’ve finished grazing and I’ve collected the rewards beneath the tall grass. These minor inconveniences didn’t significantly impact my overall enjoyment of the game.

In simpler terms, Flock’s uncomplicated gameplay and vibrant setting create an experience that feels warm and inviting. Its accessibility caters to various age groups and skill levels, making it a delightful adventure for two to embark on together. When challenges emerge, they lead to satisfying achievements such as identifying and labeling elusive animals or completing the Field Guide with all the creatures encountered in Uplands. Flock presents a world that embraces you and offers means to appreciate and care for its diverse wildlife inhabitants.

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2024-07-15 19:39