Once every couple years, a game comes along that changes everything. Braid is one of those games. I’m being totally serious right now. What at first seems like a simple platformer with time rewind capabilities quickly turns into an extremely brain-taxing yet very rewarding experience. It’s one of those games with such simple and well thought out game mechanics that it leaves such a permanent impression on your gaming past that you’ll never forget it (kind of like the first time you played Super Mario Bros or Ocarina of Time). If you’ve beaten the game then you know what I’m talking about, if you haven’t, then you need to hit that “continue reading” link so I can hopefully persuade you into buying this game.

First off, I just want to say I’m glad I was put in charge of writing this post, because I didn’t want people thinking my original review on Braid was how I really felt about the game.

Braid didn’t just set a new standard in regard to the quality of an XBLA title, it also set a new standard in pricing. Before Braid, all XBLA titles cost lest than $10, so it came as no surprise that everyone started complaining instantly as soon as Microsoft released information that it was going to cost $15. Luckily everyone complaining quickly shut up after seeing all of the praise the game started receiving from critics. As of right now, Braid is still the highest rated XBLA title on Metacritic and is also #10 on the overall list of Xbox 360 games, so if anything, Braid should be looked at as a bargain, rather than an expensive XBLA title. Hell, it took me longer to beat Braid than it did Mirror’s Edge, so personally I think EA should give me $45 back.

What’s even more astonishing about all of Braid’s success is the fact that it was created by one independent software developer, Johnathan Blow (try not to laugh). So, if for nothing else, you should purchase Braid to support independent developers like Mr. Blow (hehe) who think outside the box and deliver stellar games. Just try not to get Braid Brain like Doc.

That’s why Braid being so awesome and completely changing the way we think about downloadable games is #14 on our list of Top 100 Gaming Moments of 2008.

Tweet This Post