I read the game web site. I played most of the demo. And I like Braid.
So, let's talk about it.
So, let's talk about it.
Braid
- Thread starter Tek7
- Start date
blackgravity
New Member
Braid is tons of fun but it makes my brain hurt. I'm guessing I need to go back and forth between each level to collect each puzzle piece?
Braid is has now been made available on steam for those who haven't logged into it recently.
In the past I've been interested in trying indie games but I just spent that interest in buying and playing World of Goo. I generally dislike puzzle games and unfortunately Goo was no exception. Though it's not so much of a puzzle game as a resource management game. The solution to the "puzzles" (and I use that term loosely) are mostly apparent the moment you get into the level therefore it boils down to simply balancing Goo usage. It's a decent game with at least a unique art style (though not my taste) but I can't see why it got all the hype it has.
Anyway back on topic I don't know if I'll try Braid or not after playing Goo. Braid is supposed to have decent plot though so please use the spoilers tag if you talk about it's secrets
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In the past I've been interested in trying indie games but I just spent that interest in buying and playing World of Goo. I generally dislike puzzle games and unfortunately Goo was no exception. Though it's not so much of a puzzle game as a resource management game. The solution to the "puzzles" (and I use that term loosely) are mostly apparent the moment you get into the level therefore it boils down to simply balancing Goo usage. It's a decent game with at least a unique art style (though not my taste) but I can't see why it got all the hype it has.
Anyway back on topic I don't know if I'll try Braid or not after playing Goo. Braid is supposed to have decent plot though so please use the spoilers tag if you talk about it's secrets
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What I like most about Braid is that the developer, Jonathan Blow, recognized long-standing design flaws of previous platformers and sought to improve on the basics of the genre while keeping the heart and soul of platformer gameplay.
My favorite excerpt from the game's description is:
This is a platformer developed by a person who grew up with and loved platformers, but realizes the average modern gamer doesn't have the free time or inclination to suffer through several failed attempts and/or deaths to learn a level and work their way through.
Super Mario Bros. came out in 1985, in an age when there were no save files or tutorial levels. The NES didn't have the hardware to support the time-rewinding feature at the core of Braid. We're living in a different age and it's nice to finally see a developer who gets that.
If Mega Man 9 is the epitome of the classic platformer, then Braid is the platformer of a new generation. It treats all gamers--the casual and the "core"--with respect by giving them an intelligent story and making sure that they spend more time playing the game than learning the levels.
Now don't get me wrong, I bought and enjoyed Mega Man 9. MM9 had some of the best level design I've ever seen in my many years of gaming. Finishing the game just a few days after its release is one of my "badges of honor" when it comes to gaming. But there were times I was ready to throw the Wii Remote through the screen.
There's no such frustration in Braid. That's not a mark of being "weak" or "casual." It's the mark of a smart developer that recognized what gamers want and made his best efforts to deliver on those desires.
I think he did an excellent job, personally.
On a side note, I really liked what I played of World of Goo, too.
My favorite excerpt from the game's description is:
This is clearly a developer that grew up with classic video games and, while he obviously appreciates the classics (as proven in his "Jumpman" level, a clever tribute to Donkey Kong), he's designing the game to be accessible to all people.
This is a platformer developed by a person who grew up with and loved platformers, but realizes the average modern gamer doesn't have the free time or inclination to suffer through several failed attempts and/or deaths to learn a level and work their way through.
Super Mario Bros. came out in 1985, in an age when there were no save files or tutorial levels. The NES didn't have the hardware to support the time-rewinding feature at the core of Braid. We're living in a different age and it's nice to finally see a developer who gets that.
If Mega Man 9 is the epitome of the classic platformer, then Braid is the platformer of a new generation. It treats all gamers--the casual and the "core"--with respect by giving them an intelligent story and making sure that they spend more time playing the game than learning the levels.
Now don't get me wrong, I bought and enjoyed Mega Man 9. MM9 had some of the best level design I've ever seen in my many years of gaming. Finishing the game just a few days after its release is one of my "badges of honor" when it comes to gaming. But there were times I was ready to throw the Wii Remote through the screen.
There's no such frustration in Braid. That's not a mark of being "weak" or "casual." It's the mark of a smart developer that recognized what gamers want and made his best efforts to deliver on those desires.
I think he did an excellent job, personally.
On a side note, I really liked what I played of World of Goo, too.
Ok I downloaded and collected all the painting pieces in the demo of Braid. IMO it is much better than World of Goo. Goo never felt like a puzzle game and I didn't like the art. That's not to say Goo was bad, as I said earlier it was a decent game, not like Farcry 2 or Sam and Max season one both of which I regret getting XD.
From the demo of Braid I genuinely felt the puzzles were clever and I always like painted art in games. I don't know if I'll buy it or not though as I expect it won't be a long game and I already wasted enough money on the aforesaid games. Maybe if steam has a sale though which is how I wound up with those other games.
Note: Before you had even mentioned Braid I had planed to look at it but my work came as it became available and I didn't have the time to before now. Just mentioning that because I was interested in looking at it too even without Tek motivation
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From the demo of Braid I genuinely felt the puzzles were clever and I always like painted art in games. I don't know if I'll buy it or not though as I expect it won't be a long game and I already wasted enough money on the aforesaid games. Maybe if steam has a sale though which is how I wound up with those other games
. Note: Before you had even mentioned Braid I had planed to look at it but my work came as it became available and I didn't have the time to before now. Just mentioning that because I was interested in looking at it too even without Tek motivation
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blackgravity
New Member
I paid $15 for it, worth it so far.
So far, two of the most "worth it" purchases I've made were on XBLA titles.
So far, two of the most "worth it" purchases I've made were on XBLA titles.
Ok has anyone beat it yet because I bought it and I'm really confused at this point. I got all the painting pieces and got to the epilogue stage and I'm still trying to make head or tails out of the "ending". I've got a pretty good suspicion that I've missed some secret something that gives an alternate ending but want to know for sure it has one before I rack my brains over it. BTW if I am reading the plot line correctly...
OK Tim does something wrong (um an affair maybe because of the first painting?) and breaks up with his wife (because he has a ring) time passes and now Tim desperately wants to get back together. Fast forward to the end stage "Braid" where Tim finds her and appears to be trying to save her but when the stage is reversed it appears she is trying to escape Tim?
I've also noticed that when you rewind the stage there is a ladder that isn't there the first time through that if you could reach it (but IDK how) would connect you to the upper level. Is it possible to reach this ladder? Then there is the whole epilogue stage which I'm not sure what you are supposed to do at all in. The green books do nothing. Reading the first red book gives one message and then changes if you trigger the mysterious voice. The second red book also has a voice but it appears to do nothing. Then there is the lift in the later part of the stage which I have no clue to what it does? All I can think of is maybe I have to do a speed run? Also if that is the Princess you are supposed to be saving why does she not have a Braid???
I've also noticed that when you rewind the stage there is a ladder that isn't there the first time through that if you could reach it (but IDK how) would connect you to the upper level. Is it possible to reach this ladder? Then there is the whole epilogue stage which I'm not sure what you are supposed to do at all in. The green books do nothing. Reading the first red book gives one message and then changes if you trigger the mysterious voice. The second red book also has a voice but it appears to do nothing. Then there is the lift in the later part of the stage which I have no clue to what it does? All I can think of is maybe I have to do a speed run? Also if that is the Princess you are supposed to be saving why does she not have a Braid???
shadetaker
Tribe of Judah Lead Recruiter
Here, try this out. Probably the only game for which I felt compelled to seek out a guide to the plot.
It's about the A-bomb, with random musings on the side.
Riiiiiiiight Shade why didn't I think of that
. I played more of the epilogue and...
I think the person with the Braid may be his mother? It references her something like that in the red books after you hit the voice thingy. Also the green books shut the red ones so I am thinking you must hit the red book then avoid the green book and hit the voice to get the "secret " messages.
Why did he have to mess up such a nice game with a fruity plot. I will continue to try to discern it's meaning. As a last resort I will look at z link but I'm not quite there yet. It's something of an irony that the hardest puzzle in the game is the story
.Edit: I looked at z link FRUITY FRUUUUUUUUUUITY PLOTLINE!!!!!!
, , OOOok I guess it's still better than Farcry 2 or Sam and Max but I feel disappointed :/.
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Great Googley, Moogley! I might have agreed with what Johnathan said about his game...
As for the other stars I had a couple suspicions because I had not used a couple platforms and everything in the game seems to be used. However I probably would not have found them on my own.
...until I learned about the extra stars you can collect in the game. While I rarely look at solutions without giving the puzzles about half of my life attempting to solve I am really, REALLY glad I did not waste my time trying to find them. I'd have never found one in particular because it breaks a cardinal Gerbil rule in game design in that you cannot go back and get it if you've done something else. In this case if you've completed one of the worlds paintings you can't get it EVER. I'd have driven myself insane looking for it as there is no clue whatsoever in the game that this is how it works and it's the only item in the game that works that way XD.
As for the other stars I had a couple suspicions because I had not used a couple platforms and everything in the game seems to be used. However I probably would not have found them on my own.
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Odale
Active Member
What I liked about Braid was the music the artistic touches all throughout the game. Like the walking rock enemies (whatever they are) are not too childish. The character looks respectable and the music is awesome.
The only thing I don't like is I don't know what the puzzle pieces are for... but that's due to my own ignorance.
I did not buy it - only played the demo.
The only thing I don't like is I don't know what the puzzle pieces are for... but that's due to my own ignorance.
I did not buy it - only played the demo.
What I liked about Braid was the music the artistic touches all throughout the game. Like the walking rock enemies (whatever they are) are not too childish. The character looks respectable and the music is awesome.
The only thing I don't like is I don't know what the puzzle pieces are for... but that's due to my own ignorance.
I did not buy it - only played the demo.
Completing the puzzles opens the final level... and depicts pictures of things that further confuse you about the storyline
.I liked the art and a lot the regular puzzles are very clever (not like some of the insane star ones). If the plot had made sense I would be obliged to recommend it as a short one day game (though I don't feel it was worth 14 bucks :/). It's good to have a story leave you asking deep questions but it's not good to leave you going "huh what was that all about?"
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