Take a breather from GTA 6 hype with Flock's brilliant new demo

rockpapershotgun.com:

Spare a thought for any game attempting to compete with GTA 6 today. It can't be easy when big hitters like that inevitably suck all the air out the room, but bless the folks at Hollow Ponds for poking their heads above the 4K flamingo parapet anyway by releasing a lovely new demo for their upcoming critter collect 'em up Flock today. I've just been giving it a go over lunch, and it is truly a very relaxing way to decompress after a morning of poring over GTA gubbins.

The demo covers the very first moments of the game, allowing you to create a character, pick your bird and get to grips with its creature wrangling. I've been quietly intrigued by how its critter charming works ever since I spoke to the devs earlier in the year, but honestly, I was more captivated by the flavour text describing all the various haircuts on offer. A sweeping "Privacy Fringe" that's described as "adding curtains to the windows to your soul", you say? Truly. I feel seen beyond belief.

(Extra shoutouts to the "The Snoot" nose type ("Boop not included", FYI), as well as "The Startled Rabbit" and "Half Eggshell" haircuts, the former of which is described as "pigtails but with superb lift" while the latter is all about embracing "the 'just hatched' aesthetic).

Flying around on your giant winged stead feels wonderful under the thumbs, calling to mind the effortless, graceful gliding of Journey and Abzu. I had a great time just nosing about its whimsical fields and rooting out new critters for my creature guide, and I'm really looking forward to poking around its full map when it launches next spring.

The demo also finally gets to the bottom of exactly what how your titular flock of sheep work as well. After all, Flock isn't just about charming