Flock Review: "Has a funny habit of making you care quickly about finding elusive creatures"

GamesRadar+ VerdictFlock 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.Pros+Sumptuous art design creates an inviting world+Joyfully flying through locations+Witty writing constantly delightsCons-Structure can feel restricting-Building out a flock feels insubstantial GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict 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 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. Pros+Sumptuous art design creates an inviting world+Joyfully flying through locations+Witty writing constantly delights Sumptuous art design creates an inviting world Joyfully flying through locations Witty writing constantly delights Cons-Structure can feel restricting-Building out a flock feels insubstantial Structure can feel restricting Building out a flock feels insubstantial Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Flock’s sunrise and sunset might just be the most relaxing thing you’ll see in a game this year. Whether it’s the pastel pink sun breaking through cotton-candy coloured trees or god rays that pierce the leafy curtains of a mossy forest as dusk settles, witnessing this world flow through its various states is a reward in itself. Okay, sure, Ishouldbe out trying to observe the creatures that roam The Uplands, but frankly, that can wait. There’s no rush. The Drupes, Gleebs, and Cosmets will still be there once the view has been fully admired. Sitting slap bang in the middle of the venn diagram between creature collection games like Pokemon and cozy adventure games such as Flower and Journey, Flock tasks you with building out a guide of all the inhabitants of The Uplands for your Aunt Jane. Jane, a more-involved Professor Oak-type, gives you hints and sets you quests as you slowly open up more of the area you’re in, giving you a guiding hand as you set about on your merry critter-discovering way. Free flying (Image credit: Annapurna Interactive) Fast FactsRelease Date: July 16, 2024Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One,Developer: Hollow Ponds & Richard HoggPublisher: Annapurna Interactive Fast Facts Release Date: July 16, 2024Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One,Developer: Hollow Ponds & Richard HoggPublisher: Annapurna Interactive Release Date: July 16, 2024Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One,Developer: Hollow Ponds & Richard HoggPublisher: Annapurna Interactive But why does your Aunt Jane send you off into the wilds instead of heading out herself? Because of the distinct advantage that your character flies on a trusty bird that glides you over the clouds that obscure several different areas of The Uplands. It’s an irresistible way to explore, giving you the freedom to easily weave over dusty plains, swampy wetlands, and craggy cliff sides in your quest. Controlling your bird is as simple as steering it from left to right – Flock automatically handles your elevation – and a squeeze of RT gives you a handy speed boost. It’s an elegant, approachable system that creates a natural rhythm thanks to environmental flourishes, such as wind tunnels you can squeeze through for even more acceleration and craters that propel you into the sky and allow you to whizz back down at paces that would make F1 drivers weak-kneed. What also makes Flock a pleasure to play is the quality of the writing. Item descriptions are frequently giggle worthy (shout-out to the Flat Cap), while the small snatches of dialogue convey a warmth that makes you a part of the wider community rather than an observer. There’s also a pleasing subtlety to the nature of The Uplands, with some areas having long abandoned buildings and others boasting graffiti that hint at a time before nature reclaimed them. Simply, the writing plays just as an important part of inviting you into this world as the art design. Creature Comforts (Image credit: Annapurna Interactive) I should introduce the residents of The Uplands, which is teeming with wildlife to document and, eventually, charm into your flock. There are around 60 different creatures, split into different species that share similar characteristics. For instance, Thirps are like fireflies and only come out at night, while Bewls are bean-like critters whose honk will cut across the air and make you extremely aware of their presence. I really mean that as well. Fly across a group of Belted Bewls and your ears will still be complaining the next day. Initially, you’ll only be looking to observe, but once you find whistles that can woo these animals – through the delightful touch of having sheep that can munch through meadows for you to unearth said whistles – you can recruit them to your… well,flock. Charming them is as simple as lining up markers and giving your whistle a toot. While some won’t take too much effort to find or persuade, such as the docile Basking Bewl, others require a little more wing grease; whether that’s finding them hiding in a tree bark or being able to quickly chase them down. (Image credit: Annapurna Interactive) Plus, building up a flock to follow you around never really satisfies in the way building a Pokemon party might. Once you’ve charmed a new flock member, they will follow you and… be there to offer a passive boost when capturing other potential recruits. It arguably feels like the game’s weakest aspect, because despite the individual personalities you learn about in the field guide, they exist to float on behind you for mainly aesthetic reasons. Considering your main aim is to nab as many of them as you can, it does lessen the impact of building up a gang. As Sprug as a bug (Image credit: Annapurna Interactive) Sheer DelightAs part of your adventure, you’ll come across sheep to rescue and use to help you munch down on meadows. This will help them grow out wool which you can shear off and use to buy new fits for your character. Honestly? I’d die for each and every one of the sheep I found. Sheer Delight As part of your adventure, you’ll come across sheep to rescue and use to help you munch down on meadows. This will help them grow out wool which you can shear off and use to buy new fits for your character. Honestly? I’d die for each and every one of the sheep I found. As part of your adventure, you’ll come across sheep to rescue and use to help you munch down on meadows. This will help them grow out wool which you can shear off and use to buy new fits for your character. Honestly? I’d die for each and every one of the sheep I found. So why does it still feel great to fill up the field guide and charm the socks off these critters? Well, that’s because there are plenty of moments where your patience in the chase pays off. For example: it’s 11:37pm (on a weeknight, no less) and I’m trying to hunt down a Yellowlegs Drupe. You see, they’re the last one to tick off in my field guide, but I have no idea what I’m actually looking for. A hint tells me its large size means it’s easy to spot – an extra insult to injury when I haven’t seen one in my 10 hours of playtime – and it hangs around the wetlands. 10 laps of that location later, with no beings I’d describe as yellow or be-legged in sight means I’m ready to call time on the hunt. Then, a new figure emerges in the distance. I feel a jolt of electricity as the enigmatic Yellowlegs glides into view. Sure, I mess up charming it and have to wait another 30 minutes to stumble across it again, but these little instances captivate in ways that ease any low-level frustrations. There’s also the option to explore with friends, with co-op for up to 4 players supported, but during the review period, I was unable to test this out. I look forward to doing so though, because I can see how Flock could be a great catch-up game, the sort you put on with friends to justify a few hours chatting over Discord or to work as a team to hunt down the more evasive types (Sinuous Thirp, I’m scowling at you). But, Flock works brilliantly as a solo experience. The moments that I keep coming back to are the ones where The Uplands casually reveals its beauty, as the thrum of multiple animal calls wafts over a landscape that I stop mid-flight to admire again. I forget about the Belted Bewl’s hideous calls. I forget that there’s a pack of Winnows, Sprugs, Burbots, and other assorted beings floating behind me, waiting for my next move. I just peacefully stare at the vibrant world ahead and think of where to fly to next. In these moments, Flock soars. 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brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the 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classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”