Braid Review

Braid is mind-bending puzzle thriller that will make you think like never before. Braid introduces the ability to manipulate time in various ways. You can move forwards and backwards through time to undo and redo actions as you see fit, or create a bubble that will slow time inside.

A Unique Time Bender

While the idea of messing with time is hardly new ground for video games, the way in which Braid makes use of it is quite unique. You'll have to think in entirely new ways to make use of your time abilities and solve puzzles.

Each Level With Bring New Challenges

The levels of Braid are split into six different “worlds”. Each world has several levels with a similar look and feel. These levels vary widely and contain a number of obstacles to overcome. You'll face cannons, monsters, pits full of spikes, locked doors, and a number of keys and doors that can only be reached or unlocked through clever use of your time manipulation powers.

Not only will you face those challenges, but the different worlds introduce new mechanics relating to time that further compound the difficulty. You will deal with mechanics such as objects and monsters that will be immune to your time rewinding abilities, your movement making time move forwards or backwards, and even a shadow of yourself that repeats your previous actions created by rewinding time.

Lots of Mind Twisting Puzzles

The puzzles in Braid range from the fairly easy to the incredibly challenging. You'll need to complete the puzzles to earn puzzle pieces. These pieces can then be used to form a picture for each world that is a part of the story. There are no real hints or help to guide you as you work to complete puzzles, so it is easy to get stuck trying to figure out how to solve a puzzle. Fortunately, most of the puzzle elements can be ignored or skipped. If you get stuck or frustrated, you can move on and easily finish the level with the option to return later and try again. Additionally, the ability to rewind time give you the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and correct them without any serious penalty.

Easy to Learn But....

The controls in Braid are very simple and easy to use. Moving left and right are accomplished with the left and right arrow keys, while the up arrow key interacts with doors and switches. Time can be slowed with the down arrow key or rewound with the Shift key. You can jump with the Space Bar. Movement and abilities are introduced gradually as you progress through the game - often explained by a simple sign where the ability must be used. For example, when you first need to jump to advance past some rocks, a sign is present that shows the Space Bar key. When you die and need to rewind time, the Shift key appears. As a result, it's not difficult for anyone to pickup and play the game or learn the various controls and abilities.

Cryptic Story

Braid also includes a cryptic and thought-provoking story line. The story is told through books that can be read before starting each world and the puzzles you collect and solve in those worlds. The story is easy to ignore or skip over as a result. The story really doesn't become important or come together until the very end of the game. However, it can be a nice additional reward for your hard work throughout the game and is left open for you to interpret.

Creative Artwork

Not only does Braid excel when it comes to gameplay, but the visuals and music are perfectly done. The artwork looks as if it was masterfully painted onto your screen. The backgrounds add to the atmosphere and mood of the game without distracting or detracting from the action. Soothing melodies help set the tone without being overly repetitive or distracting. The music and graphics are simple and elegant. They complement the rest of the game tremendously.

Conclusion - A Winner if You are Looking for Something Unique

Whether you're looking for challenging puzzles or just fun and interesting gameplay, Braid is the game for you. The time manipulation will throw you for a loop and make you think of things in ways you never thought possible. Easily undo your mistakes or set up elaborate plans to solve puzzles.

Enjoy a mind-wracking story with twists and turns you'll never expect. Superb visuals and audio top off an excellent game that is a must play.