I may be a huge fan of the Dark Universe created by FromSoftware et al., and I may be known as the biggest Warhammer book editor, but I still prefer Cozy. Cute games. Spore and Viva Piñata are two of my all-time favorite nostalgic games, and even though I know I’ll get the same kind of experience with every new Pokémon game, I still enjoy them.
I have been following Flock in Hollow Ponds for a while. It’s a colorful, sky-spanning experience where your goal is simply to find as many of the weird and wonderful creatures that swirl and flutter around the game’s highland world.
There are some narrative parallels in Flock. You are a bird knight and you are on your way to visit your aunt and uncle, explaining that the former studies the highlands. Not only do you have to find creatures, you have to attract them to join your Flock. You do this through a series of whistles that have been stolen by some evil critters, who bury themselves and their stolen items in various mounds of dirt across the map. Aside from the three special creatures you have to chase and cast charms to unlock other areas of the map, that’s it when it comes to any kind of primary objective.
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It’s clear that Flock is not an objective or mission-based game. It’s more regarding the atmosphere and experience it creates, but it does come across as rather short, taking only a few hours to complete the credits. The map is also fairly small, which means that by the time you complete Flock’s story, you’ll only be left with the creature guide to fill out.
Well, it’s a good job that Flock is so engaging in its gameplay and game world. The controls for flying in Flock are very good, and while you may find the automatic vertical steering a bit of an annoyance as it can put you out of reach of flying critters above, it makes the overall experience of flying around the map feel more fluid and cinematic. During my journey through the highlands I didn’t encounter anything, and, even though I told myself I was going to focus on one particular area, looking for the creature my guide had lost, I mightn’t help but throw myself into the wind tunnel, and in some cases, soar through a beautiful world for a while.
The Highlands are a great place to escape. In this world, everything is cute, comfortable, and capable of flying. Even sheep, they prove to be the most useful members of your flock, providing the game’s currency with their wool and munching around the mounds where the rogue Burgling Bewls live. The visuals blend perfectly with the soundtrack in Flock, making the game world feel instantly comforting. Flying around, listening to the chirps of nearby creatures and the calls of Flock behind you, supported by imaginative creature designs, is a great experience.
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Creatures in Flock are divided into different families, and each time you discover a new family, you need to play a mini-game to identify which family they belong to and what species they are. From tiny, wingless Sprugs to banana-shaped Cosmets, each collection has at least one design you’re sure to fall in love with. My personal favorite is the Gormless, whose wide eyes and ever-opening mouth make me feel like my screen suddenly turned into a mirror. The sound design for the creatures is also excellent, allowing you to hear the unique cries of creatures you might not otherwise see. Oddly, the setting that lets you discover where these calls are coming from is automatically turned off. This is an odd decision considering that some creatures are designed to blend in perfectly with their surroundings and are invisible to the naked eye.
It’s worth mentioning that Flock is designed to be a cooperative multiplayer experience, but we can’t really understand this style of play because we’ve only played single-player. In that single-player experience, Flock proved to be a game that created the same warm and fuzzy feeling as putting on a jumper following a day out in the cold. It’s a warm, cozy game that impresses with its visual style and soaring gameplay, but it’s worth noting that the total time you spend in Flock is surprisingly short. Without a real thread connecting everything together, it can feel hollow at times. But, overall, its gameplay, visuals, and sounds make it a worthwhile time spent.
Flock: A Cozy and Engaging Flight Through the Highlands
Flock, developed by Hollow Ponds, is a whimsical adventure game that invites players to explore a colorful, sky-spanning world filled with adorable and unique creatures. It’s a game that emphasizes atmosphere and experience over a complex narrative or challenging objectives, offering a relaxing and charming escape for those seeking a gentle and visually captivating journey.
A Bird Knight’s Quest for Companions
In Flock, you take on the role of a bird knight, embarking on a journey to visit your aunt and uncle who study the highlands. Your primary objective is to find and attract creatures to join your flock. This involves using whistles to lure them, but these whistles have been stolen by mischievous creatures called Burgling Bewls. You’ll need to uncover these Bewls and their hidden treasures across the game’s map.
While there’s a narrative framework, Flock primarily focuses on exploration and discovery. It’s a relaxed experience, allowing players to immerse themselves in the beauty of the highlands and the joy of finding new creatures.
Gameplay and Flight
Flock’s gameplay revolves around flying and exploring the expansive highlands. The controls are intuitive and fluid, allowing for graceful and immersive flight. While the automatic vertical steering can occasionally hinder movement, it contributes to a more cinematic and effortless experience.
The freedom to soar through the sky, coupled with the vibrant visuals and soundtrack, creates a truly captivating atmosphere. Players can easily lose themselves in the moment, simply enjoying the calming beauty of the world around them.
A World of Creatures
The highlands in Flock are brimming with a diverse range of creatures, each possessing unique designs and personalities.
Charming Characters
- Sprugs: These tiny, wingless creatures are among the smallest residents of the highlands.
- Cosmets: These banana-shaped creatures add a touch of quirky charm to the world.
- Gormless: With their wide eyes and gaping mouths, the Gormless offer a playful and humorous element to the game.
Creative Families
Each creature belongs to a specific family, and discovering a new family requires players to complete a mini-game to identify its members and species. This adds a layer of depth and engagement to the exploration process.
Audiovisual Delight
The sound design in Flock is superb, bringing the creatures to life with their unique cries and calls. However, the automatic disabling of sound settings that reveal creature locations can be frustrating, especially for players who enjoy the challenge of finding camouflaged creatures.
Multiplayer and Longevity
Flock offers a cooperative multiplayer experience, but our focus was on the single-player aspect. While the single-player experience is undeniably charming, the relatively short length of the game can leave players wanting more.
Short but Sweet
Flock’s lack of a substantial narrative thread can sometimes make it feel empty, but its strong gameplay, visuals, and sounds create a worthwhile experience that lingers long following the credits roll. It’s a game that delivers a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for a brief but enjoyable escape.
Final Thoughts
Flock is a delightful and visually captivating game that offers a unique and relaxing experience. While its short length and lack of a strong narrative can be considered drawbacks, its charming creatures, beautiful visuals, and engaging gameplay make it a worthwhile adventure for players seeking a cozy and visually stunning experience.
