Braid, Anniversary Edition

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 483 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
Braid, Anniversary Edition Game Cover
Braid Anniversary Edition is a reminder of how good the original was, with stellar visuals and puzzles that are tough yet rewarding.
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"Braid: Anniversary Edition" is a remastered version of the classic platformer, featuring updated artwork, new sound effects, and extensive audio commentary. Players can manipulate time to navigate through interconnected worlds and solve puzzles, while exploring memories and regrets. This beautifully painted game offers a fresh take on the original, with the same haunting score and challenging puzzles.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 483 reviews
graphics52 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Braid: Anniversary Edition features stunning updated graphics and sound, enhancing the already beautiful art style of the original game.
  • The addition of extensive developer commentary provides valuable insights into game design and development, making it a must-play for aspiring game developers.
  • The core gameplay remains engaging with clever puzzles that challenge players to think outside the box, while the ability to toggle between old and new graphics adds a nostalgic touch.
  • Some puzzles can feel overly complicated or frustrating, with solutions that may not be intuitive, leading to potential player annoyance.
  • The commentary format can be cumbersome, requiring players to navigate through levels to access insights, which may disrupt the flow of gameplay.
  • The remaster does not significantly change the original experience, which may lead some players to question the value of purchasing it if they already own the original version.
  • graphics114 mentions

    The graphics in *Braid: Anniversary Edition* have received significant enhancements, showcasing a beautiful, vibrant art style that elevates the original's charm. Players appreciate the ability to seamlessly toggle between the updated visuals and the original graphics, highlighting the impressive improvements made while maintaining the nostalgic feel of the game. Overall, the remaster is praised for its stunning visuals and polished presentation, making it a worthwhile experience for both new players and fans of the original.

    • “Braid: Anniversary Edition is a remake of one of the most intelligently designed games in the indie scene, boasting enhanced graphics and sound that breathe new life into this classic.”
    • “The updated graphics are very smooth and polished; I can't believe how 'bad' the original used to look when I compare them.”
    • “The new graphics are absolutely beautiful!”
    • “The updated graphics look how I remember it in my head when it first launched on the Xbox 360, a masterclass of game design.”
    • “The updated graphics and sound do a lot of heavy lifting to bring this game up to a modern standard.”
    • “I would dare say the original graphics hold up very well and this upgrade might have been unnecessary; however, having played it and toggled back and forth a bunch between the old and new art, I can say the upgraded visuals are welcome and delightful, from the new props and background effects to the new frames of animation for characters turning around, everything feels just slightly more crisp and alive.”
  • gameplay80 mentions

    The gameplay is centered around a unique and innovative time-manipulation mechanic that challenges players with clever and complex puzzles, each world introducing new twists to keep the experience fresh. While the mechanics are generally well-executed and rewarding, some puzzles can feel obscure or frustrating due to their reliance on unintroduced concepts. Overall, the game combines beautiful visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and a thoughtful narrative, making it a standout puzzle platformer despite some dated elements.

    • “The core mechanic of time manipulation is exceptionally well implemented, applying physical and mathematical concepts that enhance the gameplay experience.”
    • “The gameplay can feel really rewarding and the puzzles can be brilliant at times.”
    • “Its unique time-manipulation mechanics, beautiful visuals, and enchanting soundtrack create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “There are some puzzle piece solutions (collectible extras) that are legitimately just stupid ways of manipulating the mechanics in ways that are not only not obvious, but also borderline absurd to even consider, and yet they are the solution to the puzzle.”
    • “A small mistake can mean starting completely over on certain challenges, which I enjoy in precision platformers, but in this more puzzle-oriented style where the moment-to-moment gameplay isn't exactly thrilling, it can become frustrating or boring quickly.”
    • “Primary reason is that here it's incredibly disorganized, it's spammed all over the levels, there's doors within doors that sometimes open up portals that sometimes open up portals that sometimes open up sequential doors... basically it's hard to understand what is even meant to be communicated and any train of thought is merged with the gameplay it's being presented alongside.”
  • music71 mentions

    The music in Braid is widely praised for its beautiful orchestration and seamless integration with the gameplay, enhancing the overall immersive experience. While the remastered soundtrack and sound design have received positive feedback, some players feel that the changes, particularly during critical moments, detract from the original's emotional impact. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the indie gaming scene.

    • “The soundtrack jumps from peaceful and calming to haunting on a slow curve that fits each stage.”
    • “The remastered music and sound effects greatly enhance the mood, especially in the later parts of the game.”
    • “Its unique time-manipulation mechanics, beautiful visuals, and enchanting soundtrack create an unforgettable experience.”
    • “While the gameplay is clever and challenging, one frustrating aspect is the way the music rewinds along with time, which can become quite irritating during repeated puzzle attempts.”
    • “I'm not sure the updated sound effects and music add a lot to the experience, and would recommend you play through the game with its original visuals and music first.”
    • “The music and sound changes are mostly an upgrade, but I thought the epilogue felt a lot more impactful when it was silent.”
  • story65 mentions

    The story of Braid is a complex and often cryptic narrative that unfolds through text found in books before each level, exploring themes of reflection, consequence, and the subversion of classic video game tropes. While some players find the storytelling vague and convoluted, many appreciate its depth and philosophical resonance, particularly as it intertwines with the game's unique puzzle mechanics. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling aspect of the game, enhancing the experience for those willing to engage with its intricacies.

    • “Players control Tim as he searches for a princess, but the story reveals deeper themes of reflection and consequence.”
    • “The ongoing story with the books between each world was shockingly profound, virtually all the puzzles are an excellent balance between too difficult and too easy, the different time dynamics of each world are absolutely fascinating.”
    • “Braid is a brilliant game with challenging puzzles and a captivating story.”
    • “The story is still the same, a back burner plot told through various books found at the start of stages that leaves itself vague and open for the player.”
    • “The creator of Braid was clearly trying to cover way too much territory with too little concrete support behind it, either in terms of storytelling and gameplay.”
    • “Now the game's love loss story has become death, the destroyer of worlds... I hate the 'twist' because it doesn't really add to the main plot.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted through its quirky protagonist and the absurdity of its mechanics, particularly the endless use of the time-rewinding ability. Players find amusement in the juxtaposition of the game's serious design philosophy with the lighthearted, often self-deprecating commentary from its creator, Jonathan Blow. Overall, the blend of clever gameplay and humorous insights creates a memorable and entertaining experience.

    • “It's very funny listening to Jonathan Blow bloviate about a basic tenet of good game design he applied and acting like he's some kind of visionary genius for it lol.”
    • “A beautiful remaster, with hours of thoughtful, often funny commentary on the nature of designing games like Braid.”
    • “When I first saw this 'game', I praised the art and the funny looks of the protagonist that can also rewind to solve the level and proceed; I said to myself 'how nice' a 2D portal maybe but with a different ability to play.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the visual and performance enhancements, others criticize it as poorly optimized, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck. Users have noted that performance can suffer significantly but can improve temporarily with restarts, and there are opportunities for players to discover optimization techniques through gameplay. Overall, the optimization aspect appears to be a significant point of contention among users.

    • “Fantastic update of a wonderful modern platformer really bringing this new classic a well-deserved visual and performance overhaul.”
    • “However, there are so many potential ways of optimization that you'll find yourself accidentally speedrunning the game just by finding new methods to beat older levels.”
    • “It stays true to the original while enhancing visuals, sound, and performance.”
    • “I'm gonna have to give a negative review just because of how poorly optimized this game is.”
    • “Poorly optimized money grab.”
    • “Sometimes performance suffers dramatically on Steam Deck, but restarting the game flushes the memory (presumably) and it performs well again for at least a handful of levels in most cases.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of Braid to be tedious, particularly when navigating levels to access commentary and repeatedly using the rewind mechanic. The puzzles, especially in the commentary world, are often seen as overly complex and lacking the simplicity that characterizes the rest of the game, leading to a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable challenge.

    • “However, navigating this new level can become quite tedious if players aim to listen to all the included comments.”
    • “Often times it feels tedious and not fun using rewind for the billionth time; it can feel quite awkward to get the timing right.”
    • “Actually getting to the doors sometimes required solving puzzles, but these felt tedious.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique gameplay, level design, and music, which together create a profound emotional and philosophical resonance. While many players find the emotional depth impactful and moving, some critics perceive it as overly indulgent or pretentious. Overall, the game evokes a strong emotional response, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “The unique gameplay, the level design, the music, the emotional and philosophical resonance of the story... what a game.”
    • “Honestly, the puzzles are great, but what I really didn't expect is how emotional the game is.”
    • “Revisiting this one has a great emotional baggage for me.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its dreamy quality, effectively complemented by the graphics, music, and engaging puzzles. Reviewers appreciate how the story unfolds in a melancholic manner, with the main character's expressions conveying deep emotional tones. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and integral to the gameplay experience.

    • “I greatly enjoyed revisiting the atmosphere and puzzles of Braid.”
    • “The sadly atmospheric story unveiled over time; just by the look on the face of the main character, I can feel the tone of the story.”
    • “The original game is great fun, with a dreamy atmosphere as well as unique puzzle solving that you will not get anywhere else.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Users express that monetization strategies for games can be challenging, as it often takes time for players to engage with and invest in a title. While some suggest that increased visibility through advertisements could help, they also acknowledge the financial pressures on developers and the importance of a game's long-term value beyond its initial release. Overall, the sentiment indicates that while the game is not perceived as a cash grab, its overall worth as a complete package is questioned.

    • “There's a lot here, and it's not a low-effort cash grab... but as a complete package, it's not really worth it.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game is generally considered to lack replayability, with users indicating that once completed, there is little incentive to play it again.

    • “To be clear, it's not replayable.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game exhibits some stability issues, including minor bugs and stuttering when manipulating time, but overall functions adequately.

    • “The game is slightly buggy right now, with stutters after playing with time, but it works well enough.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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