Flower, Sun and Rain

by Xseed

Product Features

• Additional content in the form of 50 new puzzles exclusive to the Nintendo DS version.
• Classic, unpredictable and off-The-Wall gameplay created by the infamous, award-winning game designer, Suda51.
• Multiple storylines to explore via the game's 18 mysterious scenarios that unfold differently depending on your actions.
• DS functionality that enhances the thought provoking nature of the puzzles players face through the use of the stylus.
• All the puzzles from the original Japanese version of the game for PlayStation 2.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001HCQVYY
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 16, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,026 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

From the twisted mind behind Killer 7 and No More Heroes comes a single adventure title like no other. Originally released on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and quickly gaining notoriety for its eccentricity, Flower, Sun, and Rain has never been available outside of Japan until now. This updated Nintendo DS release features all the creative quirks that made the original a cult hit while adding Touch Screen functionality and 50 new puzzles in what's sure to please loyal fans of its creator, "Suda51." Explore resort environments. View larger. Crack secret codes with 'Catherine.' View larger. Keep notes on island residents. View larger. Story On the tropical island of Lospass sits a seaside resort unlike any other called the Flower, Sun, and Rain. But all is not well in paradise as Sumio Mondo, a researcher, has been urgently summoned to the island by the owner of the hotel. Upon arrival, Sumio becomes caught in a time loop as the events of the same day are played out over and over again, with each day coming to an explosive end at the hands of terrorists that have targeted the island for an unknown reason. With the aid of Catherine, Sumio’s trusty computer that allows him to "jack" into the minds of his subjects as one of its many useful features, his job is to stop the explosive device that threatens to destroy the entire island. With the resort of Flower, Sun, and Rain as his base of operations, Sumio travels the island questioning the residents and following up on clues in order to get to the bottom of the mystery. Can Sumio solve the mystery in time to defuse the bomb? More importantly, can he figure out what’s happening to him and his surroundings before he eventually goes insane? Gameplay A mystery/adventure, Flower, Sun and Rain places players in control Sumio Mondo. Sumio finds things for a living, but in this case what he finds is himself caught in a temporal loop. Gameplay within this scenario consists of players attempting to put clues together to solve the mystery of how to stop the bombing as well as the nature of the temporal loop itself which results in the devastating explosion of a bomb over and over again as each day comes to an end. The catch within this is that the history revolving around gameplay has yet to be written, meaning that it is changeable with each new day. To this end, the game contains 18 different scenarios that play out according to the events that players put into motion as they go through their day, finding lost items for island residents, taking notes on each encounter they have and using Sumio's portable computer "Catherine" to probe the minds of non-playing game characters and solving additional puzzles. Key Features Classic, Unpredictable and Off-the-wall - The Flower, Sun and Rain story and universe created by the infamous, award-winning game designer, Suda51. Multiple Storylines to Explore - The game contains 18 mysterious scenarios contained within a rich storyline with a wealth of bizarre outcomes that unfold differently depending on your actions. DS Functionality Enhances Gameplay - The DS' touch screen controls enhance the thought provoking nature of the puzzles players face through the use of the stylus. Lots of Additional Content - In addition to the original puzzles from the PlayStation 2 game version, players will enjoy 50 new puzzles exclusive to the Nintendo DS version.

Product Description

With the aid of Catharine, Sumo’s trusty computer that allows him to “jack” into the minds of his subjects as one of its many useful features, his job is to stop the explosive device that threatens to destroy the entire island. Using the hotel as his base of operations, Sumo travels the island questioning the residents and following up on clues in order to get to the bottom of the mystery. Can Sumo solve the mystery in time to defuse the bomb? More importantly, can he figure out what’s happening to him and his surroundings before he eventually goes insane?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strange, engrossing throwback, August 28, 2009

By 

C. Christiansen (MA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flower, Sun and Rain (Video Game)

I agree with the other reviews that say this game is not for everyone. I'll start by listing its faults, because if you can't get past these, you're really going to hate this game.

- Repetitive puzzles: most of the puzzles are of the same type, they are numerous, and they are required to progress through the game. If you get tired of the same puzzle mechanic after awhile, this might not be your game.

- Lots of backtracking: You're going to visit the same locations over and over early on, there's no vehicular travel and no fast travel/teleporting. You walk A LOT. If you get bored with this kind of gameplay, you're almost certainly going to hate this.

- Graphics: There's no two ways around it - this game is ugly. It's an older PS2 game port, so there's only so much you can do, but if staring at blocks, jaggies, and indecipherable human features bothers you, you'll be bothered by this game.

OK, so why 4 stars? Because Suda 51 and the gang at Grasshopper have created such a quirky world full of unforgettable characters, a genuinely engrossing storyline, and great atmosphere that none of the things in the list bothered me at all. The main plot of the game actually provides a good reason for all the backtracking. Every character has personality to spare. The music (quirky versions of things like Ravel's "Bolero" and "Who Could Ask For Anything More", among others) will get stuck in your head, guaranteed. And at its heart, this game is a well-done throwback to the Sierra or Lucas Arts type adventure games of the 80s and 90s. You walk around, find things, talk to characters, solve puzzles and get lost in a far out story. I loved those games, and this one does the genre justice and then some.

Again, the game is not for everyone, but I think it's worth a shot if it sounds at all appealing to you. I had a blast playing through the story and unraveling the mystery.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great experience, but not for everyone!, August 3, 2009

By 

Diggidy (DE) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Flower, Sun and Rain (Video Game)

From the same people who brought you Killer 7 and No More Heroes, this game is very similar in style and humor, but not in game play. Flower, Sun, and Rain can be best described as a 'point & click' adventure, with puzzles that must be solved to advance.

When I say this game isn't for everyone, I mean that this is a very hard game to play, as in the game almost wants you to stop playing it, as in most of the puzzles involve reading comprehension, repetition and basic math skills. IGN even said that you have to be masochistic to play this game, and I actually have to agree, but if you go into this game expecting to be challenged mentally then within lies one of the most interesting games I have ever played. The story is funny and confounding, and it was hard to put this game down.

You should also know this game is a port from what I believe was the original PSX release, but with touch screen add-on and an updated HUB and save features, so the graphics are dated, but done in a stylized way, so they are still interesting to look at.

Basically what I'm telling you is that if you love Japanese story telling and want to be challenged mentally (and almost physically) than definitely pick this game up for the $20 sale price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suda's Strange Island, March 29, 2010

By 

Adam E. "borntochill" (Texas) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flower, Sun and Rain (Video Game)

Like the other reviewers said, the graphics are not amazing but, the story is. Its like playing a character in a dreamy foreign film with a great soundtrack. Some of the chapters are tedious I will admit but, the overall feel of the game and the characters make the game interesting for sure. I am hoping that the rereleased Silver Case and the new sequel for the DS will provide a similiar style. Suda51 is a genius!