The Flood

About

The Flood is a peaceful 5 minute narrative experience in which you pilot a little boat down a river. It's a gentle reminder that sometimes we should stop worrying about our destination and just enjoy the journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 535 reviews

music64 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

The game offers a calming and relaxing experience with beautiful graphics and soothing music.
It conveys a meaningful message about enjoying the journey of life rather than focusing solely on the destination.
As a free game, it provides a short yet impactful experience that can help players reflect on their lives.

The gameplay is extremely slow, which can lead to frustration and boredom for some players.
The messages can feel superficial and repetitive, lacking depth and real-life relevance.
Many players feel that the game does not offer enough interaction or content to be considered a true game.

music
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere. Many players appreciate the soothing soundtrack, which complements the visuals and the game's reflective message, although some note that the single track can become repetitive. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's meditative experience.
- “The music was phenomenal and helped me to feel really good throughout the 3-5 minutes it took to cruise to the end.”
- “The graphics are pleasing and the music is gentle.”
- “The music is incredibly well suited and enjoyable, and taking a little time to look over the scenery really made me appreciate it.”
- “It's rather skeletal and offers nothing much than 20 screenshots and one soundtrack, which I guess is fitting to a rather bare-boned concept.”
- “The music was annoying and repetitive.”
- “There's only one track in the entire game, and it replays on a loop.”
story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
61%
6%
The story aspect of the game is characterized as a short, philosophical narrative that emphasizes a calming journey rather than traditional gameplay. While some reviewers appreciate its beautiful message and ambiance, others criticize it for being clichéd or lacking depth. Overall, it is seen as a unique, interactive experience that resonates with players who are open to a more contemplative storytelling approach.
- “A beautiful story with a beautiful message.”
- “Great short story reminding you to not worry about where you're going and just enjoy the journey.”
- “This game, even though it's short, tells a great story.”
- “It goes so slow, there's nothing to see and it has a five-sentence long story.”
- “The gameplay is slow and cautious, the background story is only vaguely told by the placid scenery and the textual narrative is more of an accumulation of superficial quotes that only just connect to the rest of the game.”
- “The story and message was bland and generic.”
graphics
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
46%
6%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their pleasing aesthetics, simplicity, and ability to create a calming atmosphere, often described as beautiful or top-notch. While some users appreciate the minimalistic art style and the vibrant depiction of nature, others find it bland or lacking depth. Overall, the visuals complement the game's meditative theme and enhance the experience, despite some mixed opinions on their impact.
- “The graphics are pleasing and the music is gentle.”
- “The visuals paint a sweet picture of a vibrant natural world in which the process of rebuilding civilization has just begun.”
- “A lovely game that is very short but well worth playing for the stunning graphics and the message that you are given at the end, very inspiring and I would definitely recommend playing this if you need a moment of calm and peace.”
- “There is one graphics option and a resolution option.”
- “The art style is also bland and lifeless.”
- “Yes, the graphics are minimalistic.”
gameplay
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
73%
15%
The gameplay is generally described as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its slow pace and minimal interaction, primarily involving holding a key and observing the environment. While some appreciate the calming experience and the aesthetic elements, the overall consensus is that the gameplay fails to engage or support the intended philosophical messages, resulting in a short and often frustrating experience. Many feel that the mechanics are underutilized, leading to a disconnect between the gameplay and the narrative.
- “It's pretty relaxing, and most of the gameplay is holding the 'W' key and looking at your surroundings while reading the occasional message on the screen.”
- “The game did what it promised: a slow gameplay experience along the river with inspirational words flowing at the top of the screen.”
- “A simple game with relaxing gameplay.”
- “I do not recommend this project, as it is useless both in the form of philosophical reasoning and in the form of a game due to the lack of gameplay.”
- “The problem is that the gameplay really does not support its own message, and even in a free 6-10 minute 'game' that boils down to traveling the length of three screens before credits roll, I found myself frequently frustrated by what felt like impossible demands made solely so it can preach at you for not obeying them.”
- “The bland recycled inspirational messages are already not great on their own, but the fact that they don't work together at all with the most basic and boring gameplay is frustrating.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by heartfelt and sincere messages that resonate with players, offering a calming experience through its peaceful score and wholesome themes. While some find the messages repetitive, many appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, with several players noting it as a touching and heartwarming experience that can provide comfort and relief during difficult times. Overall, it is seen as a simple yet impactful game that leaves a positive impression.
- “If you’re struggling mentally or emotionally, then the game is perhaps worth playing through as the positive messaging is accompanied by a peaceful score that may be adequate in relieving some anxiety.”
- “A touching, moving, heartwarming experience overall.”
- “This game/story is absolutely heartwarming and amazing.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its peaceful and relaxing qualities, enhanced by soothing music and a warm pastel color scheme. Players appreciate the calming environment that allows for moments of reflection, although some suggest that a less interactive experience could further enhance the enjoyment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as welcoming and beautifully crafted, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The atmosphere was very peaceful, so I can see how it can be relaxing.”
- “Together with the relaxing music and pastel color scheme, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.”
- “What a great game, amazing music, art style, and overall atmosphere.”
- “Though it was an enjoyable experience, there were some areas I felt the overall message and atmosphere could be improved.”
- “The only issue I had with the game is how hard the boat can be to control, and I think I would've enjoyed this game a little more if it were less of an interactive experience and more of just taking in the atmosphere.”
- “Neat peaceful atmosphere with stunning simple graphics and a clear path to some minutes of just soaking life in, without having to deal with any obstacles.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that grinding in the game is so demanding that it feels like they would need a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users reporting excellent performance overall.
- “The optimization in this game is outstanding, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimization.”
- “The performance enhancements make a noticeable difference, providing a seamless experience throughout.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is noted for having little to no replay value, suggesting that once completed, players may not find sufficient incentive to revisit it.
- “There is no replay value, of course.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is noted as being effective and well-executed, contributing to a brief yet enjoyable artistic experience.
- “A short art experience that's funny and well done.”
- “The humor in this game is clever and keeps you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game uses witty dialogue and absurd situations to create humor.”