Based
on the popular web-based flash game, Flow for the PS3 is an abstract,
minimalist title with simple play mechanics and an elegant presentation
that makes it one of the more unique and innovative titles on the
Playstation store to date. Using the tilt-functionality of the controller,
players move around a kind of amoeba through a watery world collecting and
eating smaller creatures in order to grow and evolve in its environment.
Flow's beautiful graphics and ethereal music makes for a moody, surreal
experience that's well worth the download.
The microscopic casual game Flow began
its life as a simple web-based flash game developed by That Game Company
and caused a minor sensation amongst gamers. The game was quickly acquired
by Sony and has now appeared on the Playstation 3 via the system's online
download store. Available for a relatively inexpensive price, the game
picks up where the original left off. The basic premise is fairly simple,
yet it's precisely this simplicity that makes Flow such a compelling and
unforgettable experience. The game begins slowly with a few simple levels
that allow you to get the feel of the controls while becoming accustomed
to its evocative atmosphere. In Flow, you aren't doing anything more
complicated than moving around while searching for objects. Its sort of
like a free-roaming version of Pac Man, since your main object is to eat
some objects while avoiding others. Flow takes a somewhat scientific motif
to its gameplay as players control an amoeba-like creature that swims
through different layers of water in search of other smaller creatures it
can eat. This simple premise makes Flow easy to play and something most
gamers should connect with almost immediately. As you collect these
smaller creatures, the size and complexity of your creature increases in
size and shape until its tail reaches the edge of the screen. This isn't a
complicated game and the main objectives you have to worry about are your
creature's survival and evolution.
You
goal is to eat the smaller creatures while avoiding the larger ones which
can damage your creature. It's difficult to lose the game, but you can
find yourself stuck in the same areas if you aren't careful. Flow's
enemies are usually red in color and are easily spotted, though when you
do come into contact with them, you can attack certain smaller parts of
them and gradually make them split into smaller pieces that you can eat.
As you play through the game, you can swim to different layers of the
game, each of which contains different creatures. When you attack a red or
blue creature, you'll swim either up or down in the levels. As you collect
more creatures, different parts of your creature's body will begin to
glow, which means you can evolve these parts to a more complicated form.
When you eat enough enemy creatures, you'll begin to glow red and can then
attack larger creatures. The single player game is quite easy to get into,
but you can add additional players and compete against each other on a
split screen. As you dive deeper into Flow's levels, you'll find
increasingly complicated and more aggressive creatures waiting for you
which keeps the gameplay from becoming stale. From a gameplay standpoint,
Flow is one of those titles where less is definitely more. It's a very
simple and straightforward game and one you'll find yourself playing again
and again. There's little doubt that Flow is an enjoyable and addictive
game, but there's more to the gameplay than meets the eye, and it is in
these elements where Flow becomes something special.
While the versions on the PC had players
move the creature using a standard mouse controller, Flow on the PS3
offers a unique control system where you need to use the PS3's controller
as a tilt mechanism to steer your creature through the worlds. It takes
some getting used to at first, but it becomes intuitive and easier once
you get the hang of it. You can turn quicker by flipping the controller,
allowing you to catch smaller creatures off-guard. In order to gain a
speed boost, you need only press down on any of the controller's face
buttons. This simple approach makes the game fairly easy to understand,
but a unique control scheme gives Flow a very unique pace and character.
The game's minimalist design helps to keep things fresh as well, with a
stark contrast between the all-white main objects and the deep blue
backgrounds that creates a stunning effect that looks incredibly sharp in
HD. While most of the earlier levels look fairly similar, as you delve
deeper, the simple objects become more elaborate and seem to become more
recognizably organic instead of abstract, which shows the character's
evolution as you progress effectively. Some levels become clouded with fog
and shadows and these subtle effects make the game even more engaging.
Once you get over the visuals, you are then stuck by the game's beautiful,
surreal music score which offers a sedated and somewhat mellow electronic
soundscape that compliments the action effectively. The sound effects in
Flow are likewise minimalist and form a cohesive electronic landscape that
bathes your ears in a sophisticated bath of sound. This combines to create
one of the more unique looking and sounding titles on the PS3's Network
platforn to date. While Flow's gameplay and level designs don't challenge
the console's vaunted next-generation abilities, and its' simplistic play
mechanics won't really challenge hardcore gamers, this engaging and
polished title marks a welcome change of pace from most of the more
intense titles on the market. It's unique abstract design, intuitive yet
engrossing gameplay and presentation makes for an engaging experience
that's well worth downloading.
- Michael Palisano
Grade:
B
