The mysterious Flower is hard to describe, mainly because it’s one of those games that really has to be played to be understood. Even when you do eventually get to play it you may still not understand its purpose, but at least you’ll be able to appreciate its beauty come 12 February.

While there is still no word on how much the game will cost, Eurogamer speculates that it will be similar to the pricing of thatgamecompany’s (which, by the way, is an excellent name) previous title flOW; which cost £3.49. This seems like a reasonable enough price to me, but it really depends on how much the game has to offer.

Ok, so while we are here I may as well make an attempt to describe just what you will be doing in the game. You play as a flower who is dreaming about another life as it sits on the windowsill in a dull city apartment. Every level is a different dream (let’s not dwell on how a flower can possibly dream as it’s just a game), and as you complete each level the apartment will gradually come to life with a variety of vibrant colours. While you’re in a dream the aim is to guide a petal through lush colourful fields by tilting the PS3’s motion-sensitive controller. You must hit other flowers in the field, which causes an explosion of colour that spreads and adds to the flow of petals you are guiding.

See? It’s not that hard to understand is it? Or is it? Maybe you should just play it on 12 February and find out for yourself. While you wait you can check out Gamespot’s nice little preview of the game, which explains it much better than I can (given that they’ve, erm, played it and everything). There’s also a new video up on the official Playstation blog.

Ok, so I hesitate to use the word ‘game’ here as it’s not interactive, but it comes under the Xbox 360’s XNA Community Games anyway. Basically the Fireplace ‘game’ does exactly what it says on the tin, and that means that it’s nothing more than a virtual fireplace.

Here’s a handy trailer for you:

UPDATE: For some reason the video won’t embed, but you can watch it here.

Now, if we’re going to be totally honest here, that’s hardly a trailer as that’s pretty much it. Yes, the full ‘game’ will look better on a shiny new HD TV (or flatscreen PC monitor if you include people like me) but is it really worth it? What’s the point if you don’t get any actual warmth (yes, I did think about the Xbox 360 jokes here, har de har!)?

To add even more bafflement to the mix it’s not free. Nope, ladies and gentlemen, someone actually expects you to pay 400 MS Points for this. In these harsh times you can bask in the ‘warmth’ of a fake fireplace, instead of saving a few pounds to spend on your heating bill. Screw the credit crunch, eh?

XNA User Creates Ultimate 360 Fireplace - Kotaku