alpha99's Blog: Finished: Braid

So I heard a lot about this game called Braid for the XBLA, it seemed to be a cool throwback puzzle platformer, so yesterday I started by checking out the trail version to see if I liked it. I was pretty enthused after the trail levels, so I went to buy it... 1200 MS Points?? That's a bit, but more on if I think it is worth it later... I had to see what the rest of the game had in store so I bit the bullet and paid the points. And after finishing the game completely with all 60 puzzle pieces, I have a few things to say about Braid... Just to get it out of the way let's start with the bad points and the key question is worth $15 or not.

Is it worth $15? That is really debatable, I think it is a experience worth checking out, but as a person who managed to complete the game and all its brain twisting puzzles in less than 5 hours, with no re-playability except a speed running mode... damn... It is so damn hard to say, I'd say it is a cool experience that everyone should try, but $15 seems a bit much... I really can't say if you get your money's worth, but I'd say try the trail version and see if it the experience draws you in and decide from there.

The game has a couple of problems that I would also like to address and that has to do with hit detection. On the goomba like enemies your character touches the "goomba" by at least a few pixels before you actually stomp the monster, so it can mess with your timing on some of the precise jumps. Also you have to get those few pixels above the platform to land on it, otherwise you just pass right through them, which leads to many frustrating close calls where you finally think you've got it, then clip right through the platform. These are things that you can deal with mostly because of the game's main mechanic which will start the good things about Braid.

Right from the start of the game you have the ability to reverse time by holding the X button, this basically makes it so that you cannot die, but it also helps you solve many of the games puzzles. The coolest thing is each level has its own sense of time. World 4's time goes forward when you walk to the right, but reverses if you walk to the left and the World's puzzles are based around this mechanic. Another cool one is World 5 where when you use you reverse time powers and then start normal time again your shadow will do the last action you did before rewinding. World 6 allows you to drop an area of effect ring and time slows down the closer to middle of the ring that you get.

All of these aspects lend themselves to all of the games puzzles, where you need to reach puzzle pieces that are blocked off, too high to reach or are just in places at first glance seem impossible to get to. I'm not going to ruin any of the puzzles here because that is a majority of the gameplay and fun to found in Braid, but suffice it to say some of these will have your brain straining to wrap itself around the concepts. But I found all the puzzle fair and most just take a few moments of contemplating before you slap your forehead and say: "Oh, I get it!". Some of them will just leave you with a dumb smile on your face about how brilliantly conceived that puzzle you solved just was.

But you can't talk about Braid without mentioning the graphics, they are gorgeous watercolor paintings. Fully animated watercolor paintings, you really need to see the game in action to appreciate its amazing art style. The other thing that is really awesome about Braid is the music, I can't really describe it, but it super mellow and fits the game's mood perfectly. Finally some of the Super Mario Bros. references are pretty neat there is even a level called "Jumpman" based off the first map of Donkey Kong.

Braid is a game that you have to play, but you will have to decide for yourself if this unique experience is worth the $15 that it will cost you. It is one of those games that you play that you wish would never end and leaves you wishing that there where more levels for you to solve. I also forgot to mention the story, it is a bit awkward at times but is actually a pretty good reason to finish the game.

In other news, I have been playing too much Call of Duty 4, which means a lot of my other games have been neglected, because I am only three assault rifle "experts" from unlocking the GOLD-PLATED AK-47 which is my goal to complete before I get ready for the onslaught of new games coming starting in September. I'll something else to post here soon I am sure I have a couple of ideas for new features brewing, with that, I will talk to you then. Loading Complete!