Braid Review

Hey all,

I have found a game I truly love but also want to throw through a wall at times. This fantastically annoying game is Braid.  Now be prepared for  an overzealous review of this game because it is one of my most favourite and challenging games I have played to date.

The objective of the game is quite simple, get the jigsaw pieces in each level, but, oh and this is a big BUT, a lot of the pieces are quite difficult to get.  It's a puzzle of sort, in 2D side scrolling format.  The first few pieces introduce you to the mechanics of the game, yes they need introduction, I'll get to them in a second, but as you progress they get a lot harder.  Some of these taking me numerous tries and numerous hours to solve, so by no means is this a game you can clock in one sitting..... unless you're a super genius.

Ok, mechanics, as I mentioned there is some introduction needed to familiarise yourself.  You can reverse time at any given moment, even if you find yourself at the wrong end of some fiery stakes just reverse back and try not to make the same mistake.  Apart from the reversing time, each new world introduces a new feature to the reversing time, objects not being affected by the time shift, creating a second, you, shall we say, as a shadow to do what you just did while you sit back and watch.  Yes I know that last part sounds weird and confusing and possibly scary but if you give the game a whirl you'll understand.  Time shift being the hardest thing to wrap your head around the mechanics are the same as an old Super Mario game, jump on things head to kill them and jump higher, run left or right (forwards, backwards) and climb certain objects.  It was just missing a green tunnel and some bricks to smash your head against.

The graphics, as expected for a 2D side scroller, are just simple cartoons that are done well.  There is blur on objects as you move faster, this just giving that 21st century edge to the game.  As you can see in the screenshot bellow there is quite an obvious contrast to the player and the surrounds so there is no trouble losing sight of him.  I think this game was excellent as 2D, it really suited the puzzles.  If this was 3D the complexity of the puzzles would be insane, there is no way this game could be solved with three dimensions.

Now the storyline, be warned there is some text to read but I highly recommend reading each text, it adds a whole new level to the game.  The main thing you're named Tim and you're trying to save a princess, your love, I know more Mario Bros'.  She is meant to be holed up in a castle and you check each one at the end of each world.  Now to get away from the Mario feeling there is a big, just in case you didn't see it, BIG, difference.  The princess is a metaphor for, well obviously something he is trying to obtain.  I'm not going to post any more on it but when you read all the books you might understand it, just a tip, it may also require some history knowledge.  Be assured it isn't a dull twist like something from a daytime sitcom, my mind was quite thoroughly blown.

In all this is one of the most amazing games I have ever played, and congratulations to the makers for this.  I highly suggest this to anyone to get, even if you're not a great lover of puzzles this game is like nothing else.  So give it a try and I can guarantee you won't regret it.

-AgentBLUE

-PRO Tip - Along with the jigsaw puzzle pieces you'll notice in the very first area, where you choose which world to go to, outside in the sky there are eight star.  Eight stars are hidden throughout the game, and they are very hard to find.  Trust me, don't solve the puzzles (Don't read on if you don't want to know a star location) SPOILER until you have found a star that is in that starting world SPOILER.

Purchase on Steam for $9.99 USD - http://store.steampowered.com/app/26800/