Braid on XBLA

[unimatrix7]

I've been looking forward to this one for a while, but I had no idea it was going to be this good. I'm not even going to try and describe it, except to say that it recalls it both ICO and Portal in all the good ways, whilst ultimately creating something quite original and actually rather touching. If you give it half a chance, it will take your breath away.

My worry is that games like this will be lost in the XBLA shuffle. The 360 in general is a platform pretty hostile to the more innovative and abstract titles, and I think it's highly likely that most of the audience will rubbish it and go back to playing Halo before the end of the first level. A shame, but hardly surprising.

If you have a 360, get the demo. It'll hook you. If you object to the high (1200ms point) price tag, don't download the demo because you're gonna want to buy it a few minutes later.

Anyway, small excerpt from the Eurogamer review:

Surrender to the game's reflective intentions and it can be quite profound. I have no problem admitting that I found myself thinking about people and places that I'd not considered for years. Relationships that ended too soon. Some that went on far too long. Memories that no longer seem reliable. Others that are still painfully vivid. It's a platform game. It's an emotional journey. Whatever you invest in Braid, it repays many times over.

Check it out.

 

[dragunzng]

Braid actually looks pretty darn good, I hope MS continues pushing more titles like this on XBLA, titles like this and Castle Crashers make for good, quality exclusives.

I also hope it doesn't get lost in the shuffle as you said, but folks on PSN have been open to titles like FlOw, Every Day Shooter and the PixelJunk games, so I can definitely see Braid getting the same sort of support on XBL.

 

[Sheep]

I'm almost hoping this game sucks as I've been spending money on PSN and XBLA like there's no tomorrow lately (Pixeljunk Eden, Elefunk, Tee It Up!, Ticket to Ride, Geo Wars 2 and in all likelihood Galaga Legions and Castle Crashers when those come out).

I'm not into platformers, so that's a step in the right direction against more wallet drain.

 

[dragunzng]

Eden's a platformer :P

 

[Rii]

I'm intrigued, and it's been a while since I've played a 2D platformer. Looking forward to the PC release.

 

[unimatrix7]

I finished it last night. Amazing.

 

[The Great Meech]

I need to get a 360. Or steal my friend's 360.

 

[unimatrix7]

^ It'll be out on PC soon enough.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I'm through the first three worlds or so, it's a pretty interesting game, I didn't really know what to expect I kind of stepped into it blind and was expecting more of a platformer than a puzzle game but the time mechanic is pretty cool. There were a couple of moments where you just smile when you figure out what to do. The price point is a bit steep but it's a neat game, has a real indie/shareware look to it but it seems pretty polished.

 

[Twilight]

whoops! Missed this thread.

My thoughts, which I posted in the other thread:

Seriously, I can't overstate what an amazing game this is.

It's difficult to describe. Think of it as a gorgeous, moving, dynamic watercolor version of Super Mario Bros. combined with time as a completely fluid concept (both gameplay wise and thematically) in a world filled with the most creative puzzles since Portal (possibly even surpassing them in terms of creativity). Not to mention a musical score that will rip your heart out, combined with a tragic story that's unusually mature and complex for what, on the surface, looks like a simple platformer with a time-rewind mechanic.

It's an absolute must-see. Gorgeous game.

 

[firehawk12]

Get the secret ending. That's all I have to say!

 

[Sheep]

Eden's a platformer :P

Not in the same way the old Sonic or Mario games were platformers.

 

[dragunzng]

Eden's a platformer :P

Not in the same way the old Sonic or Mario games were platformers.

True. TBH I kind of want a 2D sidescrolling Sly Cooper game myself.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I've downloaded and tried the trail version, and to be honest, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Yeah it nice looking, and has a good old school appeal about it, but doesn't seem to be anything special.

 

[firehawk12]

Trust me, I went in apprehensive about the game because of the 15 dollar price tag but by the time I finished it, I came out thinking I got a deal.
Anything that uses the actual game mechanic to tell a story as opposed to cutscenes is brilliant to me.
(Which is why MGS4 is so much a mixed bag for me, but that's a whole other story).

 

[Aragorn]

I just beat it. I don't get it.

 

[firehawk12]

http://scholarlygamer.blogspot.com/2008/08/braid-analysis.html

My take on it, if you're bored.

 

[MyCylon]

It's a great game, I agree. I think it's cool because it's firmly based in classic Jump and Runs but adds a great twist through the time mechanics which are used to build (mostly) clever puzzles. The visuals and the music are beautiful. And there's an interesting story in the story being told.

I have a few gripes, however. For one, I found some of the later puzzles didn't quite make sense in the way the earlier ones did. For example, there was one annoying section where a key you needed would simply jump levels. It totally felt like it was a bug, and it took me while to figure out the solution simply because it wasn't as organic or natural as in the other levels.
Also, sorry, but getting all the stars is just insane . I had a look at some of the videos as to how to get them on YouTube and, really, I simply don't have the time for that kind of stuff anymore. I really don't. And some of it didn't seem like a challenge but just like a real chore.

Finally, and this does in no way diminish the quality of the game or my liking of it, but I just have to point out what a pompous a...hole the developer of the game is. How anyone can be so wrapped up in themselves and come across as so unlikeable is beyond me .

 

[unimatrix7]

Finally, and this does in no way diminish the quality of the game or my liking of it, but I just have to point out what a pompous a...hole the developer of the game is. How anyone can be so wrapped up in themselves and come across as so unlikeable is beyond me .

Yep, he really is in love with himself. Everytime he pipes up about something I roll my eyes. What a tosspot.

 

[Rii]

I'm intrigued, and it's been a while since I've played a 2D platformer. Looking forward to the PC release.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with myself from six months ago, it's now out on PC and I'm no longer interested.