Braid is an enigma wrapped in a blanket, wrapped in a tortilla. This latest Summer of Arcade release on XLBA has a mysterious storyline and challenging, time manipulating puzzles that belie the game's simplistic control scheme. Braid will remind many of Super Mario Bros., if it was designed by Sigmund Freud and Vincent Van Gogh. Simply put, this is an innovative title.
In Braid you play as Tim, on a quest to rescue a princess that was captured by an evil monster. The plot, told from a series of books at the start of each level, gives you reason to believe there's much more to the story than just saving a princess. Tim has made many mistakes and the relationship he had with the princess turned sour. The story is so well written - full of regret, remorse and Tim's mixed up feelings about his parents, his childhood, and love lost - that you'll actually start to look at your pixilated character differently as the game advances.
The goal in Braid is simple (collect puzzle pieces) yet difficult to achieve. The game starts out as a basic platformer, with players jumping around from one place to another, but gradually reaching pieces requires more and more strategy and the use of Tim's special power - the ability to manipulate time. Tim can rewind time, with each level offering a new tweak of his abilities, making the challenge of acquiring puzzle pieces much tougher. While gamers can blow right through Braid's levels without even grabbing one piece, without them the story has no resolution and no ending.
This game isn't for everyone. Some gamers will find its steep price (1200MS points/$15) and its challenging puzzles a bit overwhelming. Its sad, slightly twisted tale probably isn't everyone's cup of tea either. But how often do players get a chance to be immersed in an engrossing story in a downloadable title, especially one that looks like a painting and has haunting music straight out of an art museum? Not every often.
Pros: Clever storyline, great game presentation, challenging puzzles
Cons: High price, not much replay value
Fun Factor: 4.5
Sound: 4.0
Controls: 4.0
Graphics: 4.5
The Info: Platform: XBLA, Publisher: Microsoft, Developer: Number None, ESRB: E10, Players: One, Price: 1200 MS Points ($15)
