Fluster Cluck

Game Info

The name of this game alone threw me for a loop and I had to do a double take to see if I was reading the title wrong.  Fluster Cluck is a game about well, I guess you could just say a “Fluster Cluck” of stuff going on.  LOOT Entertainment has created a game that thrives on a multiplayer experience and dwells on that constant frustration in getting so close to scoring a point and failing from someone shooting you down so quick.  The intro movie to this game is rather an advertisement for a job you will be hired to do and it definitely has a lot of personality with its presentation.  There are a few characters to choose from to pilot your ship and all of them are named after pickled type foods, such as gherkin or pimento.

The main objective of the game is to use your U.F.O. type ships and capture things needed to complete your new job’s tasks.  There are three other ships floating around and their pilots are trying to do the same in gathering as much as they can to win.  You will take what is in your capture beam to a drop point that will then create chickens out of what you put into it.  Each drop off is considered a point and you get extra points if you shoot down an opponent and drop them into the goal.  The left analog stick will maneuver your ship around while the right trigger buttons will either shoot in front or behind you to fend off those other competitors.  I personally found the controls to be rather clunky and overly frustrating at times with it being either overly sensitive or not sensitive enough depending on what action you are trying to do.  Sometimes when shooting it will either shoot when you want it to or not fire at all, which is a main part of the defense in the game and will lead to constant frustration and could also cost you the match.

There are unlockables you can obtain through successful attempts in completing the levels and gaining experience points (XP).  I had a tough time getting the hang of this game and it seems to be way harder than it should for a simple game.  Some of the unlocks can be new weapons, hats, ships or even new characters to play as.  The single player aspect of this title is very lacking and it’s just like a skirmish feeling match that has a rushed story.  There really isn’t a true story element that can keep you playing and that’s ok, but it has to have something else that draws you in like being fun or addicting.  The multiplayer mode is a typical split screen mode up to four players and everyone goes all out trying to be #1 and taking anyone down in the process.

Fluster Cluck has visuals that would seem fitting on the Nintendo 64 only with an HD polish, which I would like to say isn’t a bad thing.  Although, the N64 would’ve probably done it better and had a tighter control scheme to go with it.  The music is a techno style during the menus and the gameplay music is very barnyard banjo plucking that is feels odd.  The sounds from your cannon are underworked and could’ve used a bit more spice to make them more appealing.  The constant clucking of chickens adds a bit of humor when you drop items into the goal zone, but you barely notice it with all the chaos going on in the match.

The Recommendation

LOOT Entertainment has created a very local multiplayer friendly game, but still has desires that aren’t met.  Fluster Cluck is $14.99, which is a bit high to me and if you have a PS Plus membership then you can get it for $8.99 right now.  I do feel this game has potential and I hope LOOT uses many of the reviews online to fix what is needed for the second game if they plan on making one.  For any of the families looking for something to just have senseless multiplayer action with their kids, then this game might be up your alley and could possibly interest you for the PS Plus price.