GDC08: Hands-on with PSP's flOw

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Feb 20th 2008 at 9:30AM }

The good news is that nothing has been lost in flOw's translation to the PlayStation Portable. The bad news, however, is that something has been gained. Though the aesthetics and soothing audio of the PlayStation 3 version have been mostly preserved, SuperVillain Studios' pint-sized port has been "gifted" with with far more precise control, courtesy of the system's analog nub.

Unfortunately, what would normally be considered to be an improvement introduces a mechanical, almost rigid feel to the relaxed and fluid movements in flOw. It's a bizarre complaint -- oh no, the control is more responsive! -- but in the dreamy context of flOw, an increase in precision isn't necessarily in the game's best interests. We should have considered throwing some quotation marks around the word "game" (just like that), as its serene atmosphere and aimless immersion still manages to evade such precise definition, even on a smaller screen.

In terms of content, flOw is unchanged from its bigger brother. You'll still steer an aquatic creature through beautiful blue waters, gobbling up lesser beings and steadily expanding your size, the game's vague approximation of a health bar. As you dive deeper, you'll aim your chomping appendages at larger creatures and eventually unlock other forms with which to explore the depths. Though the twitchy nub turns flOw's serenity into a bit of staccato swim, the game is still unique enough to warrant some leisurely play -- especially if you don't have access to a PS3.

Expect flOw to arrive on the PC's PlayStation Store on March 6th at a price which a Sony representative assured us would be "right in line" with the console game's $5 price tag.

Tags: flow, Playstation-Store, PSN, SuperVillain-Studios, ThatGameCompany

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

baby sea tuna @ Feb 20th 2008 9:40AM

Don't PSPs have a sleep mode? What do they need a screensaver for?

DMeisterJ @ Feb 20th 2008 9:45AM

I liked flow on the PS3. I hope I like this.

James @ Feb 20th 2008 10:01AM

I've already got Snake on an old Nokia phone thanks.

Dahk @ Feb 20th 2008 10:21AM

Eh stop hating on the game, it's an awesome experience.

... And go buy a new phone. Actually for all I know you probably don't even use that old Nokia phone.

James @ Feb 20th 2008 11:50AM

It's a 3310. Still using it because it's the only sim-free phone I own.

Can't stand when people say "stop hating". I don't like the game, it doesn't bring much new or enjoyable to the table and is much better experienced on a large screen than a PSP. It's something I'm never going to spend money on. It's called a negative opinion.

Noshino @ Feb 20th 2008 3:31PM

No James, that is called a pointless comment, it would be a negative comment if you were to state everything that is wrong with it...

...you just simply don't want the game, your comment doesn't bring anything to the table, neither good nor bad, hence why it is pointless (but then again, so are most of your comments)