Braid Review

Braid was originally developed by one man, Jonathan Blow. Funding the game himself it took him a lengthy three years to complete. After receiving numerous awards for its unique style, Braid eventually made its way to Xbox Live’s Marketplace in August of 2008. Despite a high price and relatively short story, major gaming journalism sites praised the game with very high scores and gratitude for its off the wall approach. Supposedly created as a personal critique of contemporary trends in game development, Blow would end up creating one of the most unique and debated stories of our current generation. Hothead Game Studio would port the game to the Mac OS and eventually to the Playstation Network and it is here that I begin my review….

Presentation:

After several iteration of the title, Braid has become nothing short of a living, breathing water color painting. I will go into more detail in the graphics portion of the review, but Braid reeks presentation from the moment you boot is up. The title screen depicts a dark, shadowed city that looks as if it is engulfed in flames. Moving away from this you begin to slowly see the main character Tim transform from just a shadowed figure to a astute man dressed in a suite and red tie. He continues to what will become the main menu of the game, a house with several door and what looks to be blank paintings on the walls. Entering these door opens you into a room of books on pedestals and is surrounded by an ethereal group of clouds. By simply running in front of these books text is displayed and this is your primary way of interpreting the story. The story, often poetic in nature is as abstract as the game itself, and even the creator of the game would have a hard time depicting it in it’s entirety as he once stated. The story has sparked debates of different meanings and references, but I will leave that up to you to infer. The other aspects of the story are told as your progress through the games six stylized levels each featuring its own unique aspect of gameplay as well as feeling or  mood. As you collect puzzle pieces in the game, you can rearrange these to complete the painting in each room and each has its own special meaning and ambiance. Overall the games mood and unorthodox methods are protrayed beautifully into the simple mechanic of the menu and navigation screens. It’s art.

Graphics:

The graphical presentation in Braid is something I have personally never seen before. Having played several stylized games in my time, I have never come across a game that can literally speak through visuals. Although the games graphical mechanic is simple 2D sprites, the high definition and quality is absolutely amazing. Not to mention that these 2D spites move and shift with the music and gameplay, and really become a moving water color painting. Background are highly represented of the worlds themes and mood, and the simple yet effective movements engage you to level of eye candy,  so much so you’ll think you were in an art gallery. I will say, I can show you all the still images of this game all day and there is no way they can begin to show you the visual uniqueness of this game. You must truly see it in motion to appropriate its engrossing and colorful design. With subtle movement of colors, Braid is an impressive display of art that you will appreciate during your time with it. Enough of my rant, graphically speaking the game is simple sporting simple platforms, basic monsters (if you want to call them that) and pretty much what you would expect from a 2D side scroller. Braid differentiates itself from others with its unique gameplay, story and insanely innovative puzzle mechanics. More of that in the gameplay section. Overall Braid is slick piece of art.

Sound:

Sound, seriously where do I begin? If I would sum it into a single word. Brilliant. A mix of soothing violin work and other orchestrated instruments, the sound in Braid is so entwined with the game that is hard not to be amazed at how it contributes to the game. Often the music will be cheery then contrastingly switch to a dark, disheartening tone. Couple this with the fact that the music in Braid is so tightly knitted with the gameplay that when you use the rewind mechanic the music rewinds with it. Now you might say well how can that sound good? To be quite honest I don’t really know, but it absolutely incredible in the way it complements the games attempt to portray so much. Although much of the musical pieces in Braid are simliar they never feel out of place or annoying, hell you might find yourself so captured by it you can just sit and listen and look in awe the sheer amount of uniqueness this game reeks. I know I did. Basically I wouldn’t mind paying my hard earned cash on a soundtrack for this game, its that good. (considering you enjoy orchestrated music).

Gameplay:

Braid shines brightly here. Although a basic 2D side scroller, Braids ability to make you put on your thinking cap on is more than apparent. It has been awhile since I really have been completely stumped on a game, and I can tell you Braid will have you stopped dead in your tacks (literally) several times throughout Tim’s adventure to find the Princess. The game’s basic goals are as follows. Travel through each level collecting puzzle pieces and putting them together, and hope to find a castle where the Dino doesn’t say “Sorry the Princess is in another castle.” Sound Familiar? Yeah, it is a simple concept but the game will challenge you in getting these puzzles pieces. Often times, you can see these puzzle pieces and say to yourself “how the hell am I supposed to reach that?” Using some insanely cleaver tricks our little heroine can find his way strangely to them. These puzzles gradually become harder as the story progresses each using a different aspect or ability to obtain. For instance, basic levels require you to rewind time using objects that are “immune” to your ability to travel your past steps. And yes, if you wondering you cannot die in Braid. If you happen to be hit by something you can simply rewind to before it occurred and change your fate entirely. Now this my seem a tad bit odd, but it crucial part in the story in which I will let you find out, and each world the game changes your abilities like having the ability to see alternate realities and use them to your advantage. So when push comes to shove, Braid controls like any Mario game, jump on the monster and he/she dies, time your jumps and you will make it to safely, although with its unique design the game changes instantly becoming much more than getting to A to B safely. Its simple and chanllenging all at the same time and that within itself is an acheivement.

Lasting Appeal:

So with a total of six different worlds, Braid comes up being a tad short. Granted if you are on the ball and can figure out these puzzles fairly quickly, while others may be stumped for several minutes, even going as far in as an hour. A few of the puzzles are downright stupid in difficulty but the sense of achievement you get after all the trial and error becomes rewarding. Overall it is a quick run, although its art style, music, use of rewind and time mechanics are so well implemented that the lenght is of least concern. (unless your low on cash, 14.99 for this title is a bit much to ask for it, although still worth it). Beating the game, not only could have you debating the ending and inferring the story for several days it does unlock a few time trial modes. For of  those of you up for a real challenge you can try running the entire game in less than 45 minutes. With ALL puzzle pieces obtained and solved. Pretty tough indeed. So there is some replay ability here and a great party game to challenge guests to see if they can figure out the puzzles. It’s asking price is a little high for my taste but because of it unique experience I highly recommend you give Braid a shot not only to test your thinking skills, but also appreciate the art entailed.

Verdict

Presentation: 10

Interesting menu design is artistic and functional to the story and mood portrayed. Poem like story will keep you wondering and pushing you forward and makes you think hard into what is really going on. Simple and effective.

Graphics: 10

Practically art in my opinion. Simply stunning to see in high definition, subtle movement of colors make you feel as if you are in a moving water color painting. My appreciation to the artist(s).

Sound: 10

Beautifully selected, advances the story and mood perfectly. Works extremely well even when rewound, and that’s tough to do. Where can I find a soundtrack?

Gameplay: 9.8

Simple and basic side scroller action, although time elements and rewinding elements changes this game into something completely different. Seriously give it a shot. Difficult puzzles may deter some.

Last Appeal: 8.0

A tad bit short especially at the asking price of $14.99. Although beating the game opens up time consuming speed runs. Overall decent replay value, but a few runs and you can call it a day.

Buy it!

9.5