More interactive art than video game, Feather manages to capture the thrill and fantasy of being able to fly in a way that has only been matched by a few other games like Flower, Eagle Flight, and most recently Vane. Unlike those games however, Feather doesn’t burden you with goals or objectives or even collectibles. This game is all about the joy of flight and the freedom of being a bird, as you majestically soar above a vast island full of varying environments and loads of detail. Race through dense forests, dive through a narrow canyon, skim the ocean surface, soar above a snowcapped mountain peak, or zigzag down a winding river, as you explore this wonderful island rendered with a truly unique art style.
Controls are minimal and intuitive with the ability to speed up or slow down as well as barrel roll or instantly reverse direction with a button press. You even have the ability to tweet, but I have yet to find out if this has a gameplay purpose. And therein lies much of Feather’s charm; the fact that you simply never know what to do because there really is nothing to do…nothing that matters it seems. There are pulsating rings scattered about the island and flying through them will seamlessly change the soundtrack to one of nine unique songs, each with their own style and instrumentation. There are also numerous fire pits scattered about the island upon which you can land and ignite, yet seem to have no purpose or reward. There is only one achievement for simply playing the game and all of the trading cards I have earned so far have been tied into discovering certain subterranean passages through the island’s interior.
Those seeking a game with purpose or rewards will likely be disappointed, as Feather is the quintessential Zen-like experience; a game with no enemies, combat, or goals other than to simply relax and enjoy the ride. Bask in the day/night cycle and all the wonderful colored lighting sunrise and sunset offer. The island has just about every type of environment, all perfectly depicted with storybook style visuals, great lighting, insane draw distances, and all running in silky-smooth 60fps at 4K resolution. My 2080ti was total overkill, as this game only requires a GTX860 and recommends a GTX960.
Immerse yourself in the soothing ambient soundtrack and wondrous sound design of Mitchell Pasmans that creates a living breathing island and music for every mood. There is one selection of music that is pure piano solo that I could listen to for days. Flying low you can hear other wildlife inside forests or the crashing waves on the beach, and the wind is always whistling through your ruffled feathers.
Feather is all about discovery and while much of the content is fairly obvious there are some cool hidden secrets, most of which are found within a large complex underground cave system with an entrance that is hard to find, even when you know where to look. There are also at least two (that I’ve found) entrances protected by iris gates that open as you get close. Fly into these and you will be magically transported to a near-orbital view of the island as you dive toward the surface at supersonic speeds. You can even dive into the ocean for brief moments of underwater exploration. What little actual gameplay Feather offers is mostly created by the player, as you start to make up your own challenges like flying under fallen trees or through a hollow log or try to skim the ocean and fly under these ancient stone arches. The game doesn’t tell you to do any of these and won’t reward you for it, but it’s fun to experiment with the enjoyable controls and physics.
Lacking any type of destination, Feather is all about the journey…an endless journey of peace and relaxation. Despite having no conventional gameplay mechanics, rules, or objectives, Feather is still one of the best flying experiences I’ve had since Eagle Flight, and that game relied almost entirely on its VR presentation to lock in its immersion. Priced at only $10, even if you only get 2-3 hours of enjoyment from Feather you got your money’s worth. If you’ve ever had one of those dreams where you were flying and wanted to capture that same feeling while you were awake, this might just be the best place to do it.
