Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

Genre: Action/puzzle
Format: Digital Download
Developer: Greenhouse
Minimum System Requirements: 1.0GHz processor, 512MB RAM, Mac OS X v10.4 with latest updates, 185MB hard disc space, Internet connection, keyboard
Review Computer: 2GHz 17” Intel Core 2 Duo iMac, 1GB RAM, 256MB ATI Radeon 1600
Processor Compatibility: Universal
Price: $14.95
Availability: Out now

Braid is a puzzle game based around warping time in various ways in order to collect puzzle pieces and save a princess. In the beginning, you start with one world, and you must collect puzzle pieces to unlock more. The controls consist of simply using spacebar to jump and the arrow keys to move (with the down arrow later being used to slow time). Furthermore, the Shift key is used to go back in time. Throughout the levels, you will encounter vicious rabbits, little creatures, wide jumps, and some moving platforms, among other things. Using your time shifting abilities, you’ll notice that only certain items are affected by shifting time, so you must solve the puzzle accordingly.

The design of this game is very unique. Although the gameplay is pretty simple, the graphics are beautiful. It is obvious that the creator put a lot of effort into making the game look good. For example, the main character you use through the game is very detailed and neat looking. Also, all of the other objects in the game have interesting characteristics, such as shining and glowing. Even the background has a neat effect as it moves towards you. Beneath the visual design is the soundtrack that plays in the background, and the ambient sounds are very fitting for the game. It all comes together to make the experience that much more enjoyable.

I haven’t yet been able to fully finish all of the puzzles, but I did manage to unlock about five or so worlds and get a hang for what the game is like.  According to their website, Braid is a “non-linear story” in which “... the game doesn’t force you to solve puzzles in order to proceed. If you can’t figure something out, just play onward and return to that puzzle later.”  I certainly agree with this approach, as it seems as if the puzzle pieces in some levels are near impossible to get with your current abilities. However, later in the story, the player will get certain powers that will eventually allow you to get the beforehand impossible pieces. While this can be a little frustrating, it is certainly interesting.

Speaking of time warping, let’s talk about that and how it plays into the game. There is no dying in this game, as the developer wanted to make the game in which the user focuses on solving the puzzles, not replaying hard missions to try to defeat a boss one hundred times.  Furthermore, when you hold Shift to reverse time, only certain elements of the game are affected. This means you can use your time warping abilities to figure out which pieces aren’t affected, and perhaps solve puzzles that way. Although there are no set guidelines on how it works, the user must figure out how he/she can manipulate it to best fit the current need. It is very challenging to figure out, but fun nonetheless.

I can definitely see how Braid could be very frustrating at first—it took me a little while to get the jist of what the game was all about.  However, once you get over the fact that you will have to leave some pieces behind, Braid becomes somewhat fascinating.  Unlike usual gameplay with loads of action and plot, you are sort of left by yourself to figure out the worlds and how to best use your abilities to get the pieces. There is no doubt that it makes you think instead of just tearing level after level.

Braid is different in a decent way.  It is nice to see game developers think outside the box and create a more involved game that will take some time to finish.  However, in my opinion, games should be somewhat more exciting.  This game certainly had its exciting moments, but most of the time the user was just left to figure something out.  While I believe this is what the developers had in mind, I think they didn’t quite nail the combination 100%. They were close enough, though, for me to encourage you to try our Braid.