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'genious puzzling'
 Developer: Number None
Publisher: Microsoft
Price: 1.200 MS Points
Category: Puzzle
Multiplayer: None
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 29 August 2008
Written By: Kieran
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Braid?
So "Braid" is here and it offers one of the best puzzle platform experiences to date ... or perhaps not?
Mystery Story
The story appears via picket boards that are placed before entering a level.
The story is basic yet has so much mystery to it. Braid follows the lead character (Tim) that is in pursuit of the Princess. The notes before levels fill the player in on the past of Braid and offers cryptic stories which leave the player to their own imagination.
So although the story isn't as strong as other games it offers a lot of mystery, which is the main motivation for the player.
Gameplay
When it boils down to it, a game is nothing without gameplay. Braid has topped the other aspects of gaming but can it excel in gameplay?
Of course it can. The game is simply a side-scrolling platform game, very similar to classic Mario games (with references in-game). The twist on the classic is that the player has to ability to adjust and manipulate time. The reversal of time is simply made by holding down the 'X' button on the controller.
The aim of the game is to find the princess and to do this the player needs to complete all the Worlds known to them.
A secret World is to be found and a ladder is needed to reach it. The ladder is created by collecting puzzle pieces that are scattered throughout the Worlds. When a puzzle is completed the next set of ruts on the ladder are made and placed. The puzzle pieces start off in simple to reach locations and get gradually difficult to reach. Players will need to stretch their brains to figure out how to reach the more difficult pieces.
  
The first level (seen on the trial) is a tutorial, so to speak, which gets the player to grips with the games mechanics. The time reversal of time isn't necessarily needed in the first world however it gives a basic knowledge of what to expect from the game.
The skills you learn from the first world are to be needed in the later levels which offer quite difficult but rewarding challenges.
Each level has its own different time adjustment. One world's time is dependant on how the player moves, for example if the player walks forward time will move forward, however if the player backtracks so will time. This level is definitely the one that stands of for me as I've never seen anything like it from a game before.
Other Worlds will have the player dropping rings to cause a slow down rift, the whole World moving backwards in time meaning the player will need to use 'X' to forward time. Another will have the player needing to go back in time to create a shadow version of them to unlock doors, collect puzzle pieces and activate switches.
Oil painted graphics and sound
The graphics have been executed differently in 'Braid' apposed to other games. The game looks like an oil painting.
There are few games that offer an experience of art whilst playing but 'Braid' definitely does this. The backgrounds look as if they're alive, even with minimal movement and the foreground is superb.
The characters and enemies also fit the part and are uniquely designed to fit in with the artsy look of the game. It would've been nice to have a few more enemies in the game however the main feature of the game is time, and not destroying enemies.
  
The score for the game is perfectly composed. The music played throughout the levels varies throughout the game and usually has an eerie undertone. This gives a mysterious but relaxing feel to the game and does greatly add to the experience. The SFX of the characters are nicely mapped too and offer nothing special but liveable sounds. There is an enemy in the game that resembles a psycho rabbit; these however have the voice of a kitten. This is the only downside to the sound but does nothing to hinder the game.
Conclusion
It's hard to single out the aspects of this game as all of them add to the general experience and compliment each other. The sound, by itself, may not be appreciated enough as it does when complimented by the superb art direction and mystery surrounding the games story. So for this reason "Braid" is a unique experience that has been perfectly pieced together and will no doubt be referred to as one of the gems on XBLA.
The game, although short, offers a very unique experience that should be played by everyone. Although the price tag for the game is a little steep (1.200 MS points), it is definitely worth it, having said that it would've been nice for a little something more for the price. The graphics are a thing of beauty and the sound adds to mystery and feel of the game. All in all a superb and welcomed package on XBLA.
-Kieran
Pros:
+ Unique gameplay
+ Art direction
+ Beautiful music
Cons:
- Quite short
- Story is love it/hate it
- Quite expensive
  
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