flOw started out as a flash game from thatgamecompany, but was later brought to life on the PS3. It rocketed up the charts to become the number one downloaded game on the PlayStation Network. To further spread the game’s audience, Sony and thatgamecompany are bringing the title to the PSP. Here is a breakdown of some of the facets of flOw for the PSP:
Presentation and Graphics: flOw is simplistic in nature, a fact that is reflected in it’s graphical styling. Your creature becomes ever larger and more complex as you eat smaller creatures in the abyss and evolve. As you dive deeper into the vast oceanic world, the background gets darker as the light that can penetrate that deep into the ocean dissipates. It’s all very serene, albeit simplistic. There are a few framerate issues when the screen gets crowded, but otherwise it’s a pleasant experience. 6.5 of 10
flOw is coming for the PSP tomorrow. We’ll have our review up early so you can decide before the PlayStation Store updates go live. While you wait, check out the launch trailer for the PSP version of the game.
Sony unveiled the top 10 purchased items on the PlayStation Network since it launched a little over a year ago. Here’s your top 10:
flOw
Mortal Kombat II
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection
PAIN
Warhawk
High Velocity Bowling
Super Stardust HD
Calling All Cars
Aquatopia
Everyday Shooter
flOw is a good game, but I’m honestly surprised it’s number one. The list is full of some damn fun games though. If you haven’t checked most of these out, go download them now. Now I say!
fl0w has been officially dated for the PSP in North America. We can expect to play in the serene abyss on March 6th.
The game will be released as a download from the PC PlayStation Store. No pricing has been announced as of yet, but the PS3 version goes for $7.99. I’d expect the PSP version to be somewhere right around there.
I’ve been a huge fan of the game since it’s Flash days on the web and loved it even more on the PS3. I think the PSP is a great platform for the game. Drop in and play quickly while on the go.
Everyone’s favorite trippy Flash and PS3 game, fl0w, is making it’s way to the PSP fairly soon. According to the official UK PlayStation site, February 2008 is when we can swim around eating random creatures through various levels of the abyss.
I’m a big fan of fl0w since it was first released as a flash game way back in the day, and really enjoyed the serene experience on the PS3. I think the PSP is a good fit for the game, although I really do enjoy the motion controls.
We’ll keep you updated as a more concrete release date is revealed.
According to this month’s Game Informer, two of the most successful titles on the PlayStation Network could see expansion packs in December.
They’re reporting that fl0w will get a new playable character and a multiplayer mode, which Warhawk will see a couple new weapons and a new vehicle: a dropship.
No official word has come from Sony yet on either of these possible expansion packs, but it seems plausible that this will happen. Given the success of both games, putting out new content right before the Holiday rush is a great idea.
The PS3 downloadable game is now available in the US for a limited time price of $4.99.
The gameplay looks pretty cool with SIXAXIS controls. Looks to control like fl0w, which is very fun once you get used to it. I’ll probably grab this game when I get back home tomorrow. My vacation hasn’t been that relaxing…
Penny Arcade posted a terrific tutorial on how to make a purchase from the PlayStation Store, detailing their experience with purchasing Tekken 5. I have to say, it’s spot on. Sometimes they take things over the top for comic effect, the honestly, this is spot on. It’s way too complicated a process to buy something on there.
I remember buying fl0w took me FOREVER. Not only are the download times slow, but you have to approve things, click here, click there. Ugh. I hope they streamline the PlayStation Store sometime in the very near future. I know they have a lot planned for the PS3 with upcoming firmware updates. I really think this streamlining should make it’s way up the list, along with regularly adding new, good content to the store.
So I finally pried myself away from my PS3 (that’s gotta be the first time I’ve ever said that…) so I can write up a post on how much I love fl0w. I got over the fact that there was no demo based on the flash game online. Let me just say, the PS3 version is worlds better than the flash game. The Sixaxis controls are very good. They took about 10 minutes to get used to, but after that it’s great. The graphics look great at 1080p, and the music is nice and calming.
For those who know nothing about the game, you’re a creature in the abyss swimming around eating smaller creatures to grow and evolve. You move up and down layers of the sea. When you get to a certain point, you evolve into a different creature. There’s 5 creatures to go through, and word is it takes about 3 hours to play through the whole game. The replay value is immense though, as it’s not all about the end result, but about how you get there.
I’d recommend this game to anyone with a PS3. It’s $7.99 from the PlayStation Store, and weighs in at 125MB.
So I fired up my PS3 today to grab fl0w and try it out. I got into the PlayStation Store, which is wonderously fun to navigate, and go to the fl0w portion. I’m shocked to find the game is $7.99. What the hell happened to the announced price of $4.99? Did Sony somehow realize they could get an extra $3 out of this game? Strike 1. Ok, after the price shock, I decide I’ll check it out and see if I like it. Hmmm, where’s the demo? There is none. That’s right, you either buy the game or you don’t get shit. Ummm, yeah. Strike 2. That’s enough strikes for me to not download the game. This is supposedly the killer app for PS3 right now, so I guess I can understand the $7.99 price point. However, don’t fucking announce it at $4.99 and then release it at $3 more. Next, if you want people to buy the game, give them a demo first. The business model for downloadable games, which is working very well, is provide a trial version. It’s been working so far with the games on the PlayStation Store. Why now, with the biggest release, does Sony choose to not give a demo? Doesn’t make any sense to me. I was excited for fl0w, but I’m not going to fork over $8 without trying the game out first. I noticed they did this with Q*bert too. What’s the deal Sony? Give us trial/demo versions!
We're like Spaceballs... we're making Loot Ninja everything. Coming soon we'll have hats, shirts, hoodies, possibly banana hammocks if one Editor has his way...
Check out the shirt prototypes here and the hats here
Penny Arcade 
