According to Wikipedia, Flower is a video game “developed by Thatgamecompany and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Flower, designed by Jenova Chen and Nicholas Clark, was released in February 2009 on PlayStation 3, via PlayStation network.” The site goes on to tell us that Flower is for an emotional boost rather than to be a challenge, or a traditionally fun game.

This does not mean that it hasn’t developed its fan base. In 2009, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) identified it for artistic achievement. It also earned the Spike Video Game Awards, aka VGX, gave it an award for Best Independent Game. Common Sense Media gives it 5/5, GameStop gives it 8/10 and Metacritic rates it at 91% approval. Johnay Basped said, “It’s a beautiful game. It is also very inspiring with a strong message about pollution.”

Flower has six main levels and one credits level, according to Wikipedia. Each level is represented by a flower in a pot in an apartment window. By selecting one, the player is taken to the dream of that flower.

“It has stylized visuals that should still hold up to this day and relaxing classic instrumental music,” said Khalia Brewster. “The game exploits the tension between urban bustle and natural serenity,” says www.thatgamecompany.com/flower. “Players accumulate flower petals as the onscreen world swings between the pastoral and the chaotic.” Those moments of pastoral beauty can be heard on the soundtrack at https://open.spotify.com/album/6a8Qf1XeKiOTAdSwk3Qa16. “It’s not much of a game as it is a meditative and positive experience,” said Stephanie Flores.

Flower is not limited to playing on a console, but can also be downloaded as an app through the App Store or Google Play. A sequel, Journey, was released for the PlayStation 3 via PlayStation network in March 2012 and moved to PlayStation 4 in July 2015.