Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
- September 3, 2013
- Starbreeze Studios AB
- 4h median play time
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Get on PS Store"Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons" is a poetic and emotional journey following two brothers on a quest to save their dying father. Traverse through stunning Nordic landscapes, solve puzzles and encounter mythical creatures with unique controls that manage both brothers simultaneously. The game includes bonus content such as director's commentary, concept art, and soundtrack. This is a memorable adventure that will tug at your heartstrings.
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Reviews
- story11,405 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" is widely praised for its emotional depth and innovative storytelling, conveyed entirely through gameplay mechanics and expressive animations without any dialogue. Players embark on a poignant journey as two brothers seeking a cure for their ailing father, encountering themes of love, loss, and sacrifice along the way. The game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its narrative and unique control scheme has left a lasting impact on many players, making it a standout title in the realm of story-driven games.
“This game is a deeply emotional journey, telling its story through the actions of two brothers in a unique, wordless narrative.”
“The gameplay is both innovative and engaging, requiring you to control both characters simultaneously, which adds a unique challenge and deepens your connection to the story.”
“The story and emotions are effectively communicated with expressive animations, appropriate atmosphere, and music.”
“One of the games I see massively overrated, the story was not only predictable but boring and I honestly felt nothing for this forced soppy story.”
“The issue in Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons is that there's not much story to drive the game forward.”
“The main story isn't deep at all, with the entire plot being, 'dad's sick, go find medicine in a faraway land.'”
- gameplay5,095 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" is widely praised for its innovative dual-character control mechanic, where players control both brothers simultaneously using a single controller. This unique approach enhances the emotional connection to the story, as players must navigate puzzles that require cooperation between the two characters. While the gameplay is generally simple and not overly challenging, it effectively complements the narrative, creating a memorable and immersive experience that resonates with players long after completion.
“The gameplay is both innovative and engaging, requiring you to control both characters simultaneously, which adds a unique challenge and deepens your connection to the story.”
“The dual-character gameplay is very innovative and a pivotal part of building the brothers' connection to one another and evolving their relationship throughout the story.”
“This game is a masterpiece, it deeply affected me; the art style is gorgeous, the narrative is powerful, and the gameplay is unique.”
“There isn't much actual gameplay besides that.”
“The gameplay itself for the most part is quite basic beyond its gimmick but it is a cool experience for its length.”
“The gameplay is very simple and linear and the 'puzzles' are way too easy and obvious.”
- emotional3,521 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" is widely praised for its ability to convey a deeply touching narrative without any spoken dialogue, relying instead on expressive animations and gameplay mechanics. Players report experiencing a profound emotional journey, often leading to tears, particularly during the game's poignant conclusion. The combination of stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and the unique control scheme enhances the emotional weight of the story, making it a memorable and impactful experience for many.
“This game is a deeply emotional journey, telling its story through the actions of two brothers in a unique, wordless narrative.”
“The narrative is rich with emotional moments, conveyed without dialogue, relying instead on expressive animations and environmental storytelling.”
“The ending is one of the most emotionally powerful moments I have ever experienced in a game, and it left me in tears.”
“Boring story with a meaningless ending, full of plot holes and with stupid or mediocre puzzles.”
“I never knew the buttons on my controller could scar me so much emotionally (the epilogue, holy crap).”
“Overall boring story and gameplay.”
- graphics3,167 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and artistic style, which effectively enhance the emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the beautifully crafted environments, vibrant colors, and the game's ability to convey a poignant narrative without dialogue, relying instead on visuals and music. Despite some critiques regarding the game's age and occasional graphical glitches, the overall aesthetic remains captivating and immersive, making it a standout experience in indie gaming.
“The world is beautifully crafted, with stunning visuals that enhance the emotional depth of the story.”
“The art style and atmospheric environments are truly captivating, making it a visually beautiful experience.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the story is nice, and the best part in my opinion is the interaction between the brothers.”
“The graphics are pretty bad, even for a 2013 game.”
“Despite its age, the story is worth experiencing but it is important to manage expectations: the graphics are merely adequate and in a post-2020 world already appear clunky in places.”
“While the graphics will date, it has enough artistic leeway in not adopting a purely realistic stance that it will still be pleasant if not beautiful to look at in years to come.”
- music1,925 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience, with many reviewers highlighting its haunting beauty and atmospheric qualities. While some found the soundtrack to be repetitive or limited in variety, the overall consensus is that it effectively complements the game's visuals and narrative, creating a poignant and immersive experience. The combination of evocative music and stunning graphics contributes to the game's status as a memorable and emotionally impactful title.
“The game features stunning visuals and an evocative soundtrack that enhance the storytelling.”
“The emotional resonance of the game is further amplified by its haunting soundtrack, composed by Gustaf Grefberg.”
“The music complements the on-screen action perfectly, enhancing the atmosphere and evoking a wide range of emotions from players.”
“The soundtrack felt underwhelming to me; however, this isn't necessarily a bad thing - I would rather have subtle albeit forgettable music that doesn't detract from the focus of the game than a less than excellent, epic soundtrack that I constantly notice over everything else.”
“The music is boring and the voices are annoying.”
“The shrill and melodramatic music that underscores 'big' moments makes the lack of true drama all the more obvious and jarring.”
- atmosphere788 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and emotional depth, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its richly detailed world. The game's unique storytelling, conveyed through expressive animations and a minimalist approach to dialogue, enhances the overall atmosphere, making it feel both enchanting and poignant. While some players noted a lack of variety in the soundtrack and minimalist visuals, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is its standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling.
“The atmosphere is phenomenal and truly provides a whimsical world to walk through.”
“The world of 'Brothers' is richly detailed, with lush environments, atmospheric lighting, and a keen attention to small details.”
“The music complements the on-screen action perfectly, enhancing the atmosphere and evoking a wide range of emotions from players.”
“The atmosphere is like a mix of Lord of the Rings and Limbo while the controls are like having a toddler drive your car while you tell them what to do from the backseat.”
“The only negative thing I really have to say is there is no real replay value for this game after you beat it, unless you want to come back for the sounds, music, atmosphere, and literally everything else.”
“I think this is where I was let down the most, since everyone is saying how emotional the game was, and I agree that the world's atmosphere in some parts is incredibly bleak (I was genuinely surprised by how dark the game got at points), but the supposed emotional high point of the game just wasn't that effective due to how predictable it is.”
- replayability292 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 31 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its extremely low replayability, with most players noting that it can be completed in about 2-4 hours and offers little incentive to revisit after the initial playthrough. While some mention the possibility of achievement hunting as a reason to replay, the consensus is that the linear nature and lack of alternate paths significantly diminish its replay value. Overall, it is recommended to experience the game once, preferably at a discounted price, rather than expecting extensive replay opportunities.
“Replayability is high on this one; the stages are really fun, and trying to replay the toughest stages and get all the achievements are just two reasons to replay.”
“Even though there aren't multiple endings available, the gameplay, the heavy story, and the music make the replay value of this game pretty high to me, which isn't always the case for this manner of adventure game.”
“The only downside of the game I can find is how long it lasts, which in my case was 2-3 hours, and with no multiplayer/replayability, this really does feel like a one-time investment.”
“It's got virtually zero replayability, unless you're an achievement hunter for the sake of it.”
“Due to its short length and lack of replayability, there is no scenario under which I would recommend purchasing this at full price.”
“The only real downside is the game is short and has pretty low replay value.”
- humor198 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of lighthearted moments and darker, unexpected comedic elements, often arising from the interactions between the two brothers and their environment. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from laughter at the brothers' antics and humorous gameplay mechanics to moments of sadness and reflection. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with its more serious themes, creating a unique emotional rollercoaster that resonates with players.
“I played it co-op with one controller with a friend, which was a lot of fun and caused for some hilarious moments.”
“The interactions with people left me laughing most of the time; the little brother's a bit of a brat :).”
“The game had me smiling and laughing all the way through, enjoying myself thoroughly.”
“The humor falls flat, making the experience feel more tedious than entertaining.”
“The attempts at humor are overshadowed by a depressing atmosphere, leaving little room for laughter.”
“The story lacks any comedic elements, and the monotonous tone only adds to the frustration.”
- stability93 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as character movement issues and animation errors. While some users found the experience enjoyable despite these problems, others deemed it unplayable due to the severity of the glitches, particularly when using a keyboard. Overall, the game appears to be a visually appealing experience marred by technical issues that can frustrate players.
“Runs great on Steam Deck at 1920x1200 resolution with some very minor stuttering, which, being few and far between, does not detract from the experience at all.”
“The graphics are beautiful and it runs to perfection (absolutely zero crashes, zero frame rate drops, zero stutter, and no glitches).”
“☐ The glitches make the game unplayable.”
“Game has no keyboard support and doesn't play nicely with Xbox One or PS4 controllers, so I've pretty much bought an unplayable, buggy product that is no longer supported by the devs. Buyer beware, if you're going to play this, play it on console only.”
“Lovely game but bugs and glitches made it unplayable so I can't finish, quite disappointing really.”
- character development87 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and emotional impact despite the absence of dialogue, while others criticize it for being manipulative or lacking sufficient context. Many reviews highlight the innovative use of gameplay mechanics to convey character growth, yet some feel that the brevity of the game limits the potential for deeper connections with the characters. Overall, while the game succeeds in creating emotional moments and unique character interactions, opinions vary on the effectiveness and depth of the character development presented.
“The character development is so profound that by the end, you'll feel like you've grown up with these brothers.”
“The story was also fantastic, the character development was great and it really made you fall in love with the two brothers, which made you feel happy and upset throughout the story whenever they would run into trouble or find happiness in achieving victory.”
“It's amazing how in-depth character development is in a game that is only 2-3 hours long.”
“However, the game tries really, really hard to evoke emotion in the player, but it feels super manipulative and not earned in the slightest. There is no dialogue to speak of, no narrative context or depth for the characters besides the journey itself, and little character development besides a little at the end. It's hard to care for these two.”
“A lot of praise has been heaped on Brothers for this approach, but I found the lack of dialogue a major setback. Without that level of character development, I found it exceedingly hard to care about anything in this game.”
“Character development is lacking, so the emotional impact Brothers tries to convey isn't as deep-rooted as it could be.”
- grinding70 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often describing the gameplay as lacking challenge and filled with unskippable story elements. While some appreciate the interactive story and mechanics, many feel that controlling both characters simultaneously can be cumbersome and detracts from the experience. Despite the absence of traditional grinding for achievements, the gameplay can feel drawn out and monotonous at times, leading to a mixed reception regarding its pacing and engagement.
“For the collectors out there, the achievements aren't grindy at all, but you need to complete each of them when the time comes, as you can't go back to a previous stage.”
“No grinding, getting lost, or spending enormous amounts of time on frustrating puzzles.”
“There's no grinding, no lengthy dialogue to sit through, no real learning curve; it's just a fun journey that feels natural right from the start.”
“It's a bit tedious, not a lot of challenge (like, you're just walking a lot of the time), controlling both brothers is more annoying than fun, story is .... average/predictable and most importantly; unskippable, so you have to put on your big girl pants and just sit through it.”
“A lot of the mechanics can become tedious and there are parts that definitely are only in to artificially inflate the time of the game.”
“You progress through the land controlling both brothers simultaneously, which at times is tedious and would steer many away from playing.”
- optimization43 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with many players noting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware, thanks to its efficient use of the Unreal Engine. However, it is primarily optimized for controller use, leading to challenges for those attempting to play with a keyboard and mouse. While some minor performance issues and graphical glitches were reported, they did not significantly detract from the overall experience.
“Overall, fantastic graphics and optimization, even for low-end machines.”
“Its art and animation are unparalleled, and all the more impressive that it is pulled off with zero graphics settings available - this game is so well optimized it can seemingly run well and this beautifully on most PCs.”
“Great use of the Unreal Engine makes this game beautiful and optimized so you should be able to enjoy the sceneries even on mid-range computers.”
“I would recommend buying this version on a sale compared to the newer 'remastered' version since it's filled with performance issues.”
“Despite the optimization for the PC, which is next to none, this is a heart-warming, original, interesting, fun and moving experience with powerful moralizing messages, which is something most of the modern games don't care about at all.”
“Gameplay: it can be played with keyboard, but you might as well not even try it if you don't have a controller; it's just made for controller and has not even made an attempt to be optimized for PC/KBM.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is generally viewed as fair, with a $15 price tag deemed reasonable for the experience it offers, especially in a market filled with DLC and microtransactions. However, some players feel that the advertising could better reflect the game's darker themes, suggesting a disconnect between promotional content and the actual gameplay experience.
“The game’s length may or may not justify the $15 price tag, but in the world of DLC and microtransactions, I'd say 'Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons' offers a worthy experience.”
“The game’s length may or may not justify the $15 price tag, but in the world of DLC and microtransactions, I’d say Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons offers a worthy experience.”
“While the advertising for this game makes it look very kid-friendly and happy, the game has many incredibly dark moments.”
“I watched the advertisement, and it didn't seem all that bad - but would have appreciated something like: 'Psycho brother beats the crud out of...' or, 'Frequent tragedy hits brothers...' or, 'Dead bodies covered in blood...' or, 'Human sacrificing locals...' you know - some sort of warning.”
