As a game, Braid is deceptively simple. The tutorial level offers basic platforming elements from the 8-bit era, complete with head-boppin’ baddies to kill them, platform jumping and ladder climbing. The twist, however, makes the game more Prince of Persia than Donkey Kong, as rewinding time in various aspects – from duplicating yourself, rewinding with items in hand, and dropping multiple chandaliers on gigantic, menacing bosses – gives the game a fresh flavor.
Braid can be yours this Wednesday at the higher-than-usual price of 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), but the artistic brilliance, love-lost story, and brain-frying puzzles make the game worth considering. Be sure to check out the demo of this appropriately melodramatic art piece this week before dropping the cash; the retro-style platforming won’t appeal to everyone, but it’s worth checking out for the living-painting visual aesthetic alone.
