In the world of video games, there’s a unique joy in the discovery of new worlds and the creatures that inhabit them. Flock, the latest game from Hollow Ponds and Richard Hogg, is a testament to this joy. It’s a game that invites players to soar through beautiful landscapes, seeking out rare and elusive creatures to add to their flock.
Gotta Charm ’em All
The game’s premise is simple yet captivating: you are a flying shepherd, nurturing and guiding a herd of adorable flying creatures across untouched pastures. The creatures you encounter are a mystery—part bird, part fish, perhaps even part snake. They’re friendly for the most part, and with a bit of skill, you can charm them into joining your flock.
And it’s not just fantastical creatures you’ll find in Flock. One of the key gameplay elements is collecting a small herd of sheep to graze on the mound of grass hidden throughout the beautiful scenery. Each mound has a cheeky Burgle Bewl hidden inside, stashing away either a: clothing magazine – for character customisation; a shiny bauble – to increase the size of you Flock; or a Whistle. Whistles are the key to the creature catching loop of the game. Each one helps your bird imitate the call of a specific species, and with a little bit of discover and finesse you can charm them to join you. It’s a very chilled out and enjoyable experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed figuring out the best ways to charm each little creature.
There are 60 creatures in total to find, and doing so will allow you to roll credits. However you can still soar around to your hearts content trying to become an expert in each species. Doing this will net you an achievement for each type and they’ll glow if flying alongside you. I must say, that for me, this felt particularly grindy with very little pay off. After you achieve expertise in one species, there’s no additional dialogue for finishing the rest and given the spawn rate of certain species and the fact you need to charm approximately 60 for each one I felt less cosy and rather frustrated by the end of it.
Soaring Above the Clouds
Flock is more than just a creature collector; it’s an ode to the art of noticing—the beauty that lies in the details of our surroundings. It encourages players to attune themselves to the environment, to become one with the world they’re exploring. This game is a celebration of wildlife, of collection, but most importantly, of observation.
The landscape is a beautiful mix of vibrant shades and pastel hues, with each area having it’s own unique pallet and creatures that inhabit it. By taking in the small details of each area you’ll also get some clues as to where that next elusive Piper or Burbot may be hiding. And trust me, plenty of them are very good at hiding. If you see even a small patch of dirt out of place, it’s worth focusing in just in case something is hiding right under your nose. I was convinced that one Burbot in particular was glitched for me, but I did eventually find it. Although given it took about an hour of hunting, it was a strange mix of frustration and feeling a little silly that again put a small damper on the chill vibes.
Final Thoughts
What sets Flock apart is its emphasis on the peaceful, ruminative aspects of gameplay. It’s not about the rush of combat or the thrill of competition; it’s about the warm, wooly hug of a game that celebrates the child-like spirit of adventure and discovery. It’s about the tranquility of flight and the satisfaction of nurturing your own unique herd of creatures.
There are a few design choices that cut through that tranquillity for me. Some of the creatures were so rare and so hidden I almost gave up, and the expertise mechanic tied to achievements feels a little out of place. I also encountered a few bugs, like the game not recognising I had passed a story beat so I had to repeat an action or some dialogue and one strange glitch that catapulted me way off the map leading to a restart.
I also didn’t get a chance to try out the multiplayer aspect, so couldn’t show off my glowing Flock to my friends, however I imagine cosy game lovers will have a nice time flying through the lovely scenery together. And if you’re not a completionist like me, then I’m sure you won’t face the same frustration after the story as I did.
Flock launched on the 16th of July on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4/PS5 and PC. It’s also available on Xbox Game Pass.
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