Flock Review – A Charming Flight

Flock Review – A Charming Flight

I’ve spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of Flock, a game that has effortlessly woven its way into my heart with its enchanting exploration and endearing creatures. As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for games that prioritize atmosphere over complex mechanics, Flock has been an absolute delight to experience.


to complete Aunt Jane’s Creature Guide and collect whistles for capturing creatures. Essentially, “Flock” is all about exploring wildlife at your own pace and enjoying the process rather than reaching a final destination.

In “Flock,” the gameplay involves soaring through an expansive open world on the wings of your bird character, discovering new creatures along the way. Upon encountering a creature, you’re tasked with documenting its features for your zoologist aunt, Jane. This is achieved by approaching the creature and scanning it closely, often using a zoom function for a better view. Jane will then query you about the creature’s appearance and behaviors. It seems essential to observe the creatures carefully for accurate answers, but in reality, incorrect responses won’t impact the Creature Guide’s addition of that creature’s info.

As a gamer in Flock, I’m grateful for the ability to document various creatures, but it’s not just about that. To make them follow you, you need to collect whistles hidden around the environment. This isn’t a simple task; you must discover each creature’s unique whistle by unearthing it from meadows where your sheep graze. These meadows are also where you can find cosmetics for yourself and precious baubles that expand your flock’s capacity. The locations of these whistles and meadows are unpredictable, but they’re evenly distributed, motivating me to explore thoroughly.

To make the different creatures in Flock’s world respond, you need to align the two vertical lines repeatedly.

As a gamer, when I have a whistle in my hand, it’s time for me to win over the corresponding creature and bring it into my flock. The process of charming them is so cute, I can’t help but smile. My bird imitates the unique melody from the whistle, and we engage in a mini-game together. In this game, I have to align a frequency meter based on how close I am to the creature. It can be frustrating at times because my bird’s turning radius isn’t tight enough for the unpredictable movements some creatures exhibit. But there’s a sense of accomplishment when I get the timing right. However, it does get repetitive since every creature requires this same process. I wish that charming had more variation, like each species having unique rhythms instead of using the same button press universally. Unfortunately, the core mechanic of the game relies heavily on a repetitive timed button press, which can feel underwhelming despite being enjoyable in its own way.

Flock Review – A Charming Flight

“The map slowly expands as you lower more and more cloud layers.”

Instead of “By contrast, I have nothing to complain about regarding Flock’s exploration,” you could say “I find Flock’s exploration to be incredibly enjoyable and well-designed. Creatures are identified by unique sounds, making it simple to locate them. Visual markers are clear, and the map enables you to tag points of interest and filter creature habitats. The journey across the map is engaging, with numerous connected arches and holes providing speed boosts for your bird. Additionally, there are whirlwind devices dispersed throughout the game that lift your bird up high, allowing you to swiftly traverse long distances.”

In simpler terms, despite some minor issues, the uncomplicated gameplay in Flock matches its laid-back vibe. For instance, there’s no way to adjust vertical movement within the game on purpose, making it easier for players to unwind and concentrate on observing their surroundings. Additionally, the entirety of Flock’s content can be enjoyed cooperatively with a friend via online multiplayer. Picture two friends leisurely flying through the skies together, discovering and recording wildlife – now that’s a serene scene! Lastly, Flock’s visual style adds significantly to its tranquil ambiance.

Flock Review – A Charming Flight

In simpler terms, the visual scene in Flock is a delight to behold, as the day/night cycle subtly changes the hues of the surroundings in distinctive manners.

In the game “Flock,” the artistic style reminiscent of impressionist painting enhances the depiction of the surroundings and creatures. Areas of the map concealed from access are represented by cloudy coverage, enveloping the entire Upland setting you’ll be exploring. The abundance of clouds creates a hazy and ethereal atmosphere, making the location seem like a dream. Each creature boasts unique designs that distinguish their species, with my personal favorite being the whale-like beings that emit smoke as they drift around. A diverse array of creature noises is present, ranging from the trilling sounds of the shimmering Thrips to the honks of Gleebs resembling geese. Lastly, the music complements this whimsical landscape flawlessly, featuring impressionistic melodies and a focus on atmosphere rather than strong musical hooks. The sound design in “Flock” is truly outstanding and one of its most captivating aspects.

Flock is a delightful indie game where you engage in the soothing activities of observing and guiding diverse creatures. While you can complete Jane’s tasks to technically finish the game and enjoy the catchy ending song, the real appeal lies in the experience itself. The game doesn’t offer intricate narrative or hidden depths beyond its surface level, but this simplicity enhances its relaxing vibe.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

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2024-07-15 23:42