Flock Review: Embrace Playful Weirdness with Flying Potatoes

Developer: Hollow Ponds, Richard Hogg
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Release Date: July 16th, 2024
Platforms: Windows
Available On: Steam
Price: TBC
Reviewed On: Steam Deck

Flying has always been my favorite way to travel in games, so I was already floating on air with excitement for Flock. This gentle exploration game, crafted by the creators of Wilmot's Warehouse and I Am Dead (including Pip Warr, RPS in peace), allows you to glide through strange forests and rippling meadows atop a giant bird with a beautiful trailing tail. It's got that Journey vibe, but with a more whimsical and colorful twist.

The Gameplay

Guided by your Aunt Jane, a local zoologist, you learn to charm the local fauna. These creatures, resembling radishes, small whales, and potato-whales, have unique colors and plumage adapted to different areas. They are grouped into families, each charmed by a different whistling tone. The game's inciting incident involves a group of Burgling Bewls (long-nosed yam family; subcategory: stripey bastards) stealing all of Jane's whistles and hiding them in bowl-shaped meadows.

Your mission? Find these whistles, charm animals into your flock, and discover new creatures with special abilities. It's a holistic game where you must graze your potato-shaped sheep on meadows to uncover the Bewl's hidey hole. Inside, you might find new whistles, charms to increase your flock size, or wool pattern packs for cool new duds. Jane's students offer challenges in each area, and the animals themselves are collectibles.

Exploring the World

The exploration is where Flock truly shines. Each new creature leaves behind traces like twinkling cosmic oil and scales, guiding you on short chases. For example, the Rustic (flat leaf family) leaves traces you follow to charm it with your Rustic whistle sounds. The process can be repetitive, but the fun lies in the exploration.

Collecting Shiny Pokémon equivalents reveals new areas by dropping the thick mist that covers the land. Each new area brings a clutch of odd, whistling animals to observe. Some lazily paddle through the air, while others have tricks up their sleeves. In sunny pine forests, blue flat-faced owl things must be chased until they're tired, while giant-eyed weirdos hide in tree stumps.

The Creatures and Curiosity

Flock encourages curiosity. Each creature makes a different noise, and if you hear something but don't see it, drop into your first-person scanner view to spot it. Some creatures, like a type of Sprug that pretends to be fruit, are elusive and intriguing. The landscape is equally mesmerizing, with mushroom forests and half-fallen ruins that prompt questions about their origins and the evolution of the Sprug alongside them.

Multiplayer and Personal Favorites

You can play Flock with up to three other people, calling to each other and showing off your flocks. Although the servers weren't up for me, I imagine it being fun and cooperative. My solo flight allowed me to develop favorites among my flock, like the whale-like Drupes and a particular Gleeb. You might prefer the glowing Thrips or heart-shaped Cosmets.

Final Thoughts

Flock is a game full of good humor, freedom, and playfulness. While it can be a bit repetitive and has minor snags, it's perfect for a relaxing escape. After a long day, it's a joy to glide through the skies, hunting for that elusive Sprug pretending to be a fruit. Flock might not be a game you play all the time, but it's one you'll want to revisit whenever you need a whimsical adventure.

Flock offers a unique, whimsical experience with its playful exploration and charming creatures. Whether you're flying solo or with friends, this game provides a delightful escape from the mundane.