flower: Proving that Sometimes the Simplest Art is the Most Meaningful.

flower: Proving that Sometimes the Simplest Art is the Most Meaningful.
By Aubrey Arnold

Flowers. Before any of you boys reading this run away screaming, I am indeed talking about a video game. The successor of the apparently serene flOw (I have never played it), flower is a stunning visual poem that can both make you smile and give you the chills.
When my dad called me over and told me he’d bought something really cool called ‘flower’, I’d given him a funny look as he walked away into the TV room. I’ve never been so wrong in my life. If you’re hating on it because of the title, leave now or I’ll tape you to a chair and make you play it. The controls master the SixAxis controller’s true powers, unlike a similar attempt that I will call Lame (This is a reference to the controls in a game called Lair- good concept, bad execution. Please, please remake it!).
Indeed, the only button ever used in the game is your choice- you can use your choice of the x, the triangle, the square, or the circle. This is used for the sole purpose of acceleration. Other than that, it’s freestyle flying with the controller! Fulfill your dreams of flying with flower and never again dream of being a flying wind- flower petal- thing ever again! The only issue is that it is much to short.
I may call the meager amount of levels short, but it is by no means sweet. The first two levels will have you in your happy place, but beware of the saddest level I’ve ever played that will jump you and strangle your happy place until it is reduced to smoldering ashes. This game is a ‘visual poem’, and it doesn’t need sob-sob cut scenes and character deaths to make you feel like crap. At first, you explore open fields and beautiful scenic landscapes, but as you approach civilization in the later levels, the tone changes drastically. Liberate sunken buildings, paint them bright colors, and get rid of those ugly old iron things, for Gods’ sake!
This game is (in my opinion) rated E for everyone. Just beware of the scary levels that made me want to scream and run away. Yeah. This time, the kiddies can’t get me… RUN! OH MY GOD THEY ARE COMING, NO!... See you next time.