Once in Flowerlake
- November 17, 2021
- byMixNez
Get on Steam"Once in Flowerlake" is a single-player Simulation game that offers a thought-provoking story about a man's routine life disrupted by a life-changing event. The game is non-violent, with player choices impacting the story, and features a nice visual style and atmospheric soundtrack to convey the cold, winter world. With a duration of around an hour and a half, the game was created by one person, providing a unique and immersive experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful and atmospheric snowy environment, enhancing the overall experience.
- The storyline is intriguing and thought-provoking, with themes that resonate with players.
- Despite its flaws, the game is enjoyable for a short playthrough and offers a unique narrative experience.
- The game suffers from slow movement and pacing, making exploration tedious and frustrating.
- Level design is often confusing, leading to aimless wandering and a lack of clear objectives.
- Technical issues, such as bugs and poor visibility, detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- story19 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, praised for its atmospheric and intriguing elements, though some players find it simple and slow-paced. While the narrative effectively engages players and evokes thought, frustrations with level design and gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience for some. Overall, the story is described as compelling and thematically executed, set against a beautifully crafted world.
“Super atmospheric, crisp cold snow feeling - loved the storyline.”
“Artwork and music were both immaculate, gameplay was simple but felt nice, story was also simple but quite compelling.”
“A chilling and wonderful atmospheric adventure with a story that leaves you thinking about it.”
“Story is boring and as slow as the main character's speed at getting around.”
“Once in Flowerlake is a rather boring, unremarkable, monotonous story, telling about a nameless person, mired in a routine in the middle of a cold world and soulless machines.”
“I feel like if you had to play through the routine a few times before the story really kicked up, then that break in his routine would feel way more impactful because his routine would have been my routine.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and beautiful design, particularly in its snowy environments, which evoke a crisp, cold feeling. Reviewers appreciate the combination of stunning artwork, effective sound design, and a compelling storyline, although some note that the gameplay is limited due to its walking simulator nature. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the game's strongest aspect, creating a memorable and contemplative experience.
“Super atmospheric, crisp cold snow feeling - loved the storyline.”
“The atmosphere is amazing, the art is amazing, the story is quite good but god damn it's a walking simulator.”
“A chilling and wonderful atmospheric adventure with a story that leaves you thinking about it.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their charm and aesthetic appeal, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful artwork and sound design. While some note that the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they still contribute positively to the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are considered well-executed and complement the game's compelling story and immersive soundtrack.
“Aesthetically pleasing.”
“Well done graphics, interesting plot, as well as a soundtrack that perfectly suits the style of the game.”
“The graphics and sounds are so amazing.”
“While this is on PC, it has all the hallmarks and deficiencies of a console game, from the clunkier than needed control scheme to the less than cutting edge graphics.”
“The art style looks decent.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight significant issues with mechanics and level design, particularly criticizing the ineffective stealth elements and confusing navigation that detracts from the experience. While some players appreciate the simplicity and compelling story, many feel that the gameplay lacks depth and engagement, often leading to a tedious experience dominated by slow movement and excessive walking. Overall, the gameplay is seen as underwhelming and in need of refinement.
“Artwork and music were both immaculate, gameplay was simple but felt nice, story was also simple but quite compelling.”
“+some choice and stealth gameplay mechanics to spruce things up.”
“+some choice and stealth gameplay mechanics to spruce things up.”
“Honestly, I felt like it didn't really commit to its premise enough to be impactful, and the mechanics need a lot more feedback.”
“The 'stealth' mechanics just do not work, and the level design had me very confused on where I was supposed to go numerous times, which really bogged down the experience with how slow the character moves.”
“There's also a real visibility and depth perception problem where it's either too difficult to see important gameplay elements, or I can't tell where I am in space, and the consequences of messing up will be death.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game received mixed reviews; while some players found it lackluster and preferred their own playlists, others praised the soundtrack for its quality and how well it complemented the game's atmosphere and artwork. Overall, the music was described as beautiful and fitting, enhancing the gameplay experience for many.
“The OST is good.”
“Well done graphics, interesting plot, as well as a soundtrack that perfectly suits the style of the game.”
“The music, atmosphere, and artwork are beautiful.”
“The music was meh, and I quickly switched to my Spotify playlist instead.”
“The music didn't leave a lasting impression and felt forgettable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized due to the presence of suspicious reviews, which appear to be generated by accounts that consistently promote direct purchases and write fake reviews for low-quality titles, suggesting a potential cash grab or scam.
“The monetization system feels exploitative, with prices that are far too high for the content offered.”
“It seems like the game is designed to push players towards microtransactions rather than providing a fair experience.”
“I can't believe how many features are locked behind paywalls; it ruins the enjoyment of the game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional impact of the game to be significant, with some levels evoking tears despite a less dramatic overarching story. The intrigue throughout keeps players engaged until the end, adding to the overall emotional experience.
“The level design made me cry in places, and while the story may not be filled with drama, the intrigue keeps you engaged until the very end.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their struggles feel incredibly real and relatable.”
“I found myself deeply moved by the narrative; it beautifully captures the complexities of human emotions and relationships.”
