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In Flock, you play as a UFO tasked with the job of leading groups of farm animals to the mother ship. Each of the game's 50 levels is filled with hazards and other obstacles that you need to deal with while also making sure that your flock doesn’t wander off or get into trouble.
The catch is that you don’t have direct control over the animals. Instead, you control the UFO and use three context-sensitive functions to guide the animals. Floating over animals sends them scattering in all directions, a depressor beam can flatten things that get in your path, and the tractor beam picks up objects.
Gameplay revolves around using your various beams to manipulate the environment and herd animals aboard the mother ship. In one area, you may have to remove and replace fences to keep a group of cows from wandering off or use the depressor beam to cut paths in fields (and maybe even leave a few cryptic patterns). Like Lemmings, you'll have to reach a certain quota in order to pass the level, which should push your skills to the limits in later levels.
Adding to the game’s puzzle elements, the types of animals you’re charged with collecting will determine how you get through each level. Each animal has different abilities that can help or hinder your efforts. Chickens can fly short distances, which is ideal for getting across short gaps. At the same time, a gap looks like a gap to them regardless of the distance between the two, so they are also prone to taking lemming-like cliff dives. You’ll also have to deal with cows, sheep and pigs.
Other factors will also influence your path through each level. You can guide animals to special patches of ground that will cause them to feel a bit randy and mate. You won’t see anything other than a flock of red hearts (avoiding any uncomfortable conversations) and after the two animals breed, they’ll produce a group of fresh animals that will restock your crew. Other patches of ground work like trampolines and will send your animals flying. You’ll also have to deal with other obstacles, including water (every level takes place on an island) and scarecrows that will scare away more than just the crows.
Flock will include a two-player co-op mode and ship with a level editor.
Flock is slated to hit both XBLA and PSN later this year. |
