Released in the US on August 6th, 2008, Braid is a unique puzzle-platformer that sought to reexamine the fundamentals of game trends and traditional storytelling. Right from the start of the game, players are presented with a mysterious, lonesome building with but a single room lit titled "2. Time and Forgiveness". Questions and curiosity immediately arise as to why start with "2" if this is the start of journey? What happened to "1"? And what is this fault our character has committed that he wishes to be forgiven? With these lingering thoughts in mind, players take pursuit into surreal and meditative worlds, to gather the many scattered puzzle pieces that may better illustrate the answers to these very mysteries.
Each world features a wide array of clever puzzles, each focused on a unique time manipulation ability. As our main protagonist wishes for the means to undo past mistakes, so too do these abilities reflect such when traveling across these illustrious landscapes. Throughout each of these worlds, players are constantly put to the test to think outside the box and really break down the means in which they can control time to work to their benefit. One incredible aspect of this ability to rewind time at a moment's notice is how seamlessly such works with the soundtrack, having both gameplay and audio move backwards together while still sounding so enchanting.
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| Game cover artwork for Braid. |
Should players tough it out and really flex their minds to solve and gather all the puzzle pieces hidden about this game, you are treated to one of the most captivating and incredible endings in this medium of games. I'll stay light on details so not to ruin this incredible experience, but as soon as players enter this last world, they'll notice some interesting peculiarities. You push forward, and the intensity and emotions continue to swell, until BAM! A sudden realization dawns that begins to explain everything and put everything into astonishing perspective. As the developer Jonathan Blow set out to achieve, it tells a tale like none other and in a way only this medium could achieve. While Braid did not single-handily start the widespread movement for indie games, its massive success did generate much confidence and determination for many other small teamed developers to follow suit. This is a game that truly did shake the very core of the gaming medium.
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Bonus Tip: You may notice many additional bits of story hidden away in the epilogue of this game. To uncover the missing text of the blank books, there are additional secret stars to be found in the game. It doesn't really add too much extra context, and if anything, instead just gives more debate to what is already a very open to interpretation ending. Honestly though, these secrets are so insanely hidden, I question the sanity of anyone who manages to find them all without using a guide. If curious and to save your own sanity, here's links to view the secrets and extra epilogue bits, which breaks it down giving you location, hints, then step-by-step instructions, depending how much guidance you're looking for. (Of course, play and beat the game on your own first)
Secret Stars - https://youtu.be/3bJYEk-IXa8
Extra Epilogue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pgei6Nr3XA
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