Braid is a 2009 platform/puzzle game released
for the Xbox 360/PC/PS3.
REVIEWING STYLE:
--Green
is for mild content.
--Blue is for moderate or very brief intense content, provided that it isn't too graphic.
--Orange is for intense content.
--Red is for very graphic or prolonged intense content.
Areas of Concern:
Violence:
Mild Moderate Heavy Very Heavy Extreme Ban-worthy
There
is about as much violence in this game as there is in Super Mario Bros. Your
character jumps on enemies’ heads to kill them, and can fall to his death via
large distances or on spikes.
--One of the bosses is a fairly ugly fellow, but nothing that wouldn’t disturb
anyone older than a toddler.
--Said boss can shoot fireballs, which (in addition to the spikes), is about as
violent as this game gets.
Sex/Nudity:
Aside
from a cute love story comprising most of the plot, there is no sexual content
(much less nudity).
Language:
None.
Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking:
(See
Language).
Spiritual Content:
Mild Moderate Heavy Very Heavy Extreme Ban-worthy
As
with the story, the spiritual content may be up to you with this game. The
“space” between levels/chapters is somewhat of a dream world, but could be
perceived as Heaven. And there is the whole time-travel aspect. But there is no
blatant spiritual content.
Morality:
Abysmal Bad So-so Okay Good Very
Good
Your
character is unselfish, on a journey to save his love, no matter what the
consequences are. That means he puts his personal welfare to the wayside, similar
to Mario. He is basically an upstanding moral character. The only possible
blemish would be that he uses some seemingly innocent “enemies” to reach his
goal.
Thoughts & Impressions:
What
it’s about:
Braid
is a puzzle/platform game purely from the mind of acclaimed indie developer
Jonathan Blow. It involves a red-haired protagonist on an attempt to save the
love of his life (and a princess).
It’s
a traditional platformer, but with time travel and puzzle elements thrown in
(as well as optional “jigsaw puzzle” elements).
Quality
Conclusion:
At
first, Braid seems like a blatant (if modernized) port of Super Mario Bros. The
homages to the iconic game are prevalent throughout. It has a hero who is on a
constant question to rescue an elusive princess, who has been kidnapped by a
brutish antagonist (complete with fireballs and all).
But
unlike Mario, this game is forgiving. Miss jumping on an enemy’s head? No
worries, you can just reverse time and try again (much better than lives). In
fact, the game gradually introduces new gameplay aspects so easily, you rarely
ever get frustrated (until the later levels, that is). Granted, there are some
definite brain-benders, but that makes it more satisfying once you complete the
game.
Oh,
and did I mention the audial and visual aesthetics? Even Van Gogh would have a
hard time competing with how beautiful this game is. Plus, the soundtrack is
worthy of an iTunes download (very reminiscent of a blend between Lord of the
Rings and a traditional Irish ballad).
In
short, this game deserves the hype it garnered in the indie gamer world. The
story is vague, yet interesting. But that’s how Blow probably wanted it. As for
the gameplay, it combines the basic mechanics of early video games with unique
things we’ve never seen (or heard) before, which is always welcome. And it’s
difficult enough for the hardcore gamer, without alienating the casual one.
Quality-wise,
this game is just as good as any multi-million-dollar blockbuster.
Clouds,
flowers and tubes…oh my!
The
short length of Braid limits the objectionable moral content, but that by no
means eliminates the possibility of it. Still, it’s about as hard to find
anything immoral in Braid as it is to find a pebble in a pool.
This
game harkens back to old-school gaming, when the worst content you’d find would
be jumping on an enemy’s head. It’s a wholesome game that still appeals to the
modern gamer. My only question is, why can’t more games be like this?
I
have no reservations recommending this to all gamers young and old, though: 1,
younger gamers will have a hard time with the mechanics; and 2, parents could
probably use the love story and “monsters” as conversation-starters for younger
gamers.
Verdict: (All Ages)
CLEAN
(Some cartoonish violence.)
END OF REVIEW
So there you go! I hope you enjoyed this short little review. Be sure to thank Daniel for his contribution. I will see you next week with whatever review I have up then.
Take care!
Your turn: What did you think of this little indie platformer? And more importantly, did you find that pebble in the pool?
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