Braid
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Braid Editor's Review
Braid is a puzzle based video game with a story telling backdrop and a 2D format. The goal of the hero ‘Tim’ in the game is to rescue an abducted princess from monsters. The game is created by Jonathan Blow, who is an independent software developer. A braid blog and free demo for XBOX 360 will help to get acquainted with the game.
The game was originally released in 2008 for Xbox Line Arcade. Later, the game was developed was Microsoft Windows also. After that, the game was adapted for different systems. It became available for MAC’s, Linux and even PlayStation’s. The versions of Windows the games works with are 7, XP and Vista. It requires a memory of 768MB or more and a processor which runs at a speed greater than 1.4 GHz. A Pixel Shade 2.0 card will sync best with it and having a DirectX 9.0c will be good. The MAC operating systems it gels with are Snow Leopard 10.6.3, OS X version Leopard 10.5.8 and the ones released after that. An Intel Mac 1.0 GHz processor will be required with these systems.
The first encounter with the user interface is engrossing. There is no start button in the opening scene but only the red headed protagonist Tim against a backdrop. The story of Tim is narrated via text snippets and books resting on pedestals which appear during the gaming sessions. Clues about Tim’s thoughts, actions and considerations are also revealed through these text messages. Various puzzles like jigsaw and others are laced throughout the game. Furthermore, no one can die or lose in this game.
The story basically has the central character Tim venturing out to rescue a princess from an evil monster. Tim’s relationship with the princess is not clearly established but actually revealed slowly as the story progresses. It mostly appears that Tim wishes to make up for a mistake which lapsed between him and the princess.
Tim has to travel through six different worlds from a house based in a city. The six worlds can be accessed through different rooms in Tim’s house. The various worlds have unusual and distinctive time concepts. Time manipulation techniques are required to survive and travel through these series of worlds. Moreover, Tim has to gathers all pieces of the puzzle while travelling and then put them together in the end. These puzzles are actually created by peculiar behavior of time in the different worlds.
The game requires completing plenty of tasks and actions to achieve the goal. Keys have to be acquired to open doors and the character has to jump, run, climb and stomp enemies in the entire expanse. In addition, eight stars need to be recovered while playing the game. These relate to the Andromeda constellation outside Tim’s home.
The players are lead to the attic after completing all the puzzles, which is the place where Tim’s regret first originated. In the last level, the time and everything around is running in reverse. Only Tim’s actions are moving ahead. However, over here it is revealed that the princess is actually being rescued from a knight and Tim is the monster she is running away from. Additional text at this time reveals more of the story. The game lasts for a couple of hours. After completing the game, players can take up playing the speed runs.
Tools used for time manipulation in the game are rewind; create pockets of dilated time and establishing a parallel universe. In one world bubbles can be created which will slow down time while in others there is a doppelganger which lets a person be in two places at the same time. However, there will be object which cannot be rewound. In this game, time has association with space and so parallel realities can easily be created.
Graphics in the game are really catchy. The most interesting thing about them is that they are simple and intricate at the same time. The mesmerizing artistry in the game is done by the web comic designer David Hellman. Moreover, the painterly style used for drawing images in the game is extremely eye-catching. It makes the scenery throughout the game look vivid, colorful and striking. The hand painted drawings contrasted with surreal watercolors and impressionist patterns look beautiful. The palettes and depth of the drawing keep changing as the game moves ahead. Overall, the game has a contemporary appeal with shades of old-school styles and cartoon styled characters.
Apart from the graphics, even the background score is enthralling. The tunes are akin to notes from a music box but still weave an aura of mystery and mockery. The melodious background track uses folk music alongside classical scores. These harmonious tunes intertwined with eerie notes create a chilling ambiance. The game has eight different tracks playing from start to the end.
The entire game play is quite challenging. Though the puzzles look simple, they actually turn out to be quite tough. Moreover, there is no time to take a breather in this game as it doesn’t have any fillers. Apt attention is required throughout. No puzzle is repeated anywhere, which goads players to think in innovative ways. Each level is more difficult than the previous one. The time manipulation techniques used in this game are quite complex as they work against Tim’s actions.
The game is even acclaimed by several critiques as it has strong and meaningful moral messages about love and relationships. The themes applied in the game are based on emotions like frustration, forgiveness and desire. In fact, the messages are quite profound, intense and significant. However, there is profane language used in the game. Also, there is no violence or drugs or any other disagreeable subjects. Only exception to this is the use of the word ‘bitch’ once in the game. The end of the game is ambiguous and can be construed in many ways.
Positive Points:
- Excellently designed puzzles can keep you occupied for hours.
- Easy to learn and difficult to conquer.
- Terrific sound effects and background score makes it even more entertaining.
- Good Story with nice ending.
Negative Points:
- Might appear a little slow paced to some.
Conclusion:
Braid is based on a unique theme and requires solving demanding puzzles. This makes it very different from the run of the mill concepts released every now and then. However, it does look somewhat like Super Mario Bros and even has keys that operate in the same way. Overall, it is an excellent game and worth every penny spent.
Rating: 5/5
Braid Publisher's Description
Braid is an ingenious and startlingly creative puzzle game, built with an understanding of good game design that even some of the industry's most revered figures could learn from.
Free download from Shareware Connection - Braid is an ingenious and startlingly creative puzzle game.
Version: 1.0 | Size: 137 KB | Platform: WinOther
Released Date: 10-04-2009 | Rating: 5 | Title: Braid
Author Url: http://braid-game.com/
Program Info Url: http://braid-game.com/
Download Url: http://braid-game.com/
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