Flock
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Critic Reviews for Flock
Flock is a warm, wooly hug of a game, mixing vibrant views with moreish creature collection action to create an adventure that's as light as the clouds you glide over. While its structure can end up feeling repetitive, this doesn't dull its charm.
Flock's mostly simple mechanics and colorful world mean it all plays like a hug. With its low barrier of entry, people of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the game, and in two-player co-op, even enjoy it together. When things do get a bit more complex, that leads to some of the game's most rewarding moments, like discovering and naming super-elusive animals, or eventually filling out the all-important Field Guide with every critter and call seen and heard in the Uplands. Flock paints the picture of a world that welcomes you with open arms and equips you with tools to reciprocate the same admiration and respect for its dozens of interesting creatures.
Unfortunately, Flock is hard to recommend. The game design is repetitive and confusing, not leading players enough to where they're supposed to go or what they should be doing. There's a lot of beauty to be had with Flock, which will attract many, but don't expect a fun game behind its beautiful exterior. This is a game I wish I could have liked more but found myself scratching my head, even raising my voice for a few moments.
Flock lets you bask in its beauty, exploring a gorgeous world filled with weird and wonderful creatures whether alone or with friends.
As an amateur birdwatcher myself, Flock really captures something I love about patiently watching animals in their natural habitats. On a recent walk through a nearby cemetery, I caught a bird I’d never seen soaring over a pond. I carefully peeked at it through my binoculars and started taking mental notes. Black feathers. Orange accents on its wings. A quick search let me correctly identify it as a red-winged blackbird, leaving me satisfied with my ability to clock its defining features. I get the same smile on my face whenever I see a green piper wrapped around a tree and correctly guess its name.
Those looking for a low-pressure, artistic adventure about documenting birds should join this Flock. Bring a friend, because the skies await.
The main story is only a few hours, but finding every creature will take a solid amount of extra time. Flock doesn't just provide a great sense of wonder, but a large amount of relaxation as well, and forces you to be very present - the smallest movement in the grass can mean a new discovery. The world is remarkably beautiful, and the act of something like simply flying through the forest with an eccentric-looking flock as the sun rises, listening to the wind and the calls of animals, is amazingly serene, and makes Flock a truly special experience.
