Game:

Braid (2008)

Category:

Review

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N. Nash Homework #12

Braid Review

"Braid" was released on Xbox live late 2008 and later ported to the PC and PS3. Braid won Independent Game of the Year for 2008. Braid is a side scrolling platformer puzzle game where the player uses time manipulation to solve various puzzles. For example, if your character gets killed he just rewinds time to correct the mistake. The time manipulation gets more and more complicated as the player goes through the game and it has a fair amount of challenge and entertainment value. Braid is a beautiful game from top to bottom, the world has a painterly design and the music both striking and appropriate for the game. On top of that the game design is flawlessly achieved.

At first glance Braid seems like it copies Mario brothers in many ways. Your main enemy is a mindless creature that wanders back and forth until he is killed by you bouncing on top of him much like Mario's goomba. Also at the end of each world you are informed that your princess is in another castle. This game has a puzzle element that Mario lacks and a much richer artistic style. Perhaps the most amazing thing in this game is its story. The story is told through your character walking in front of books on pillars and reading their texts, then your actions in the game start to reveal further depth to the story. What becomes more amazing is how the perception of the very nature of the games' protagonist changes as the story plays itself out. There is also a series of hidden journals in the final area that reveal a twist that is not previously apparent. I played through the game a few times before I began to see past its light exterior and began to notice that it was in fact a very dark and thought-provoking story presented in a beautiful and subtle manner. I give this game 5 out of 5 stars with a strong recommendation to buy.

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