Braid

Game
    Review

Braid (2008) is a platform game, not dissimilar to Mario World, that appears simple but has a twist. The movement of your character is connected to the progression of time in a mind-bending manner. The resulting puzzles are fascinating and connected to a story about relationships and forgiveness.

This gameplay mechanic evolves over the different levels to mind-bending extremes. It's the sort of challenge that is frustrating until you solve it, but then really satisfying.

The time travel game-play is integrated into its story. You play a man searching for a princess, with whom his relationship has become fractured and complex through things he has done and regrets.

As you complete the six worlds you complete paintings that allude to the overarching story. While the game doesn't neatly resolve on any particular topic, it's an allegory that touches on themes of forgiveness, desire, and frustration. "What if you could learn from your mistakes and undo the consequences?" it asks.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Braid 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 22 months ago.