The gameplay is like, a 2 star. It's nothing but walking back and forth for long periods of time, and math puzzles. The math puzzles range from "do very simple arithmetic" to "the answer is written in your guidebook, just copy that down" to "obtuse ways of counting your fingers you had to look up." My biggest gripe with the gameplay is that there is an in-game memo you can write notes down on with the touch screen, but you cannot have this memo up at the same time as anything you'd need it for. You cannot have it open at the same time as your side objective hints, your guide book, or while solving. Makes the memo useless and I used a notepad on my PC instead.

My score is boosted by everything else, the bopping OST, the atmosphere and mood, the humor, and one of the best stories I've seen on the 3DS (though several of the reveals and twists do hinge on you having played The Silver Case beforehand, this is a stealth sequel). The SIlver Case is not necessary for the core message of Flower, Sun, and Rain, but there are elements that might confuse you (more than usual) if you play this first.