Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 319 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 319
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 319
  3. Negative: 19 out of 319

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  1. Flashyboy89
    May 19, 2023
    9
    A charming game with interesting control mechanics. The story is very touching. It moved me in ways, most games cannot.
  2. FrpMan
    Dec 19, 2020
    8
    İnsanın duygularını harap eden bir oyun. Sonunda resmen gözümden yaş getirmişti.
  3. burmanator96
    Jul 3, 2020
    10
    I played this game for the first time around 6 years ago, and I’ve just recently played through it again.
    Heart-warming and down to earth, this game is a truly bespoke experience you won’t find anywhere else on the PS3. The puzzles aren’t too difficult, but the pay off is always satisfying. The worlds is wonderful and full of little moments of beauty and splendor. 11/10 if I could.
  4. Chain_Affinity
    May 25, 2020
    10
    Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is such a beautiful and magical tapestry of story weaving. The minimalistic design told through imagery, ambiance and music come together to create a gem of an experience. Simply a masterpiece.
  5. Lewis-Angelo
    Dec 5, 2018
    3
    Brothers es un pasillo a 2 joesticks con semipuzles, se me ha hecho largo el paseo y todo

    muy fácil, sin historia, sin apartado técnico, sin banda sonora, sin nada
  6. Asgard-Sama
    Aug 28, 2018
    6
    • Historia: 6/10
    • Personajes: 5/10
    • GamePlay: 7/10 • Multiplayer : NO • Gráficos: 7/10 • Sonido: 8/10 • Música: 8/10 • Longitud: 2/10 • Valor de repetición: 1/10 • Valor del jugador: 6/10 Pros + Una historia entretenida + Buena jugabilidad teniendo que usar a los dos hermanos para avanzar + La banda sonora esta muy bien y la música encaja bien con el entorno del juego. +    • Historia: 6/10
    • Personajes: 5/10
    • GamePlay: 7/10
    • Multiplayer : NO
    • Gráficos: 7/10
    • Sonido: 8/10
    • Música: 8/10
    • Longitud: 2/10
    • Valor de repetición: 1/10
    • Valor del jugador: 6/10

    Pros
    + Una historia entretenida
    + Buena jugabilidad teniendo que usar a los dos hermanos para avanzar
    + La banda sonora esta muy bien y la música encaja bien con el entorno del juego.
    + Buenos efectos de Sonido.
    + Gráficos bastante decentes.
    + Soporte de trofeos

    Contras
    - Su corta duración.
    - Falta profundidad en la historia.
    - No tiene valor de repetición.
    - El Guardado lleva un tiempo

    En Resumen un buen juego, entretenido, de corta duración con una historia y unos personajes interesantes aunque le falta profundidad, con buenos gráficos y una jugabilidad decente.    … Expand
  7. lokinecromorph
    Aug 20, 2016
    10
    Brothers is one of the best and most original indie games I've ever played and that's saying something coz almost all indie games tend to be innovative.
    You control the brothers at the same time and it creates a very innovative gameplay scenario and the puzzles are unlike anything ever created in a video game.
    The rest of the aspects including the story, music and visuals are also very    Brothers is one of the best and most original indie games I've ever played and that's saying something coz almost all indie games tend to be innovative.
    You control the brothers at the same time and it creates a very innovative gameplay scenario and the puzzles are unlike anything ever created in a video game.
    The rest of the aspects including the story, music and visuals are also very good.
    The language in the game is fictional and very intriguing and so are the optional side missions that are surprisingly good and rewarding.
    A must play for those looking for innovative and fresh experiences.    … Expand
  8. MustafaTouny
    Mar 20, 2015
    9
    The game is great. i felt sad at the end of the story. the good point here that it doesn't have dialogue.. the story is expressed by your gameplay.
    although the controls are simple but it was very enjoyable.. you won't feel boring at any chapter because each one of them has it's own ideas.. finally it's for 15$
  9. beatlemnkyhuman
    Dec 3, 2014
    10
    It's like the creators of this game said "Let's make something like team ICO" and they did it.

    I'm not complaining because anytime a game comes out that uses the medium to it's potential it's a ten.
  10. Reverz
    Nov 4, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I liked the game a lot, not like the game is hard or anything, it's all pretty straight forward but it's more the experience and the atmosphere that makes the game special. I would give it a 9 but the ending... I finished it with a bit of a heavy feeling on my chest. Very disappointing...… Expand
  11. steez
    Oct 18, 2014
    8
    I was caught up in the charming experience that was playing 'Brothers' and completed it in a single day! Something that I rarely do. The Norse mythology theme really captured my imagination, and the art style was lovely.

    This was more of an 'experience' than I was expecting, but I mean this in only a positive way. I enjoyed that the game mechanics told the story throughout, and it    I was caught up in the charming experience that was playing 'Brothers' and completed it in a single day! Something that I rarely do. The Norse mythology theme really captured my imagination, and the art style was lovely.

    This was more of an 'experience' than I was expecting, but I mean this in only a positive way. I enjoyed that the game mechanics told the story throughout, and it captivated me for the whole day.

    The only down side is that the control system is tough is use, as you are controlling two characters on screen at all times, which didn't feel overly nature, but I cant think of a better way to do it myself.    … Expand
  12. AndyClimax
    Sep 23, 2014
    8
    An extremely short (it lasts about 3 hours) but powerful experience. Very little of the game can be considered challenging, but it may take some adjusting to using one brother for each joystick. The journey is packed with emotion and different landscapes so don't be put off by the relatively dull opening half hour.
  13. technophobia
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    This game caught me completely off guard! I did not expect to care for the two brothers on thier quest. It mirrored a personal story, and I am glad I stumbled on this gem. To the developers of this game, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
  14. roshi82
    Aug 12, 2014
    9
    Amazing. This has been sitting in my downloads for a few months and finally got around to finishing it today. I wish I hadn't waited so long. What a beautiful haunting game. I got this for free from pS+ and I would have gladly bought it. A bit dark, a bit sweet. Very creative. All the levels were different in their own way. I must admit I might have shed a tear or two. (not many doAmazing. This has been sitting in my downloads for a few months and finally got around to finishing it today. I wish I hadn't waited so long. What a beautiful haunting game. I got this for free from pS+ and I would have gladly bought it. A bit dark, a bit sweet. Very creative. All the levels were different in their own way. I must admit I might have shed a tear or two. (not many do this to me) Please play this game! My only issue is sometimes those brilliantly creative controls were a bit confusing, but nothing to stop me from loving this game!… Expand
  15. MaxPayneIsGod
    Jun 21, 2014
    8
    An interesting co-op-with-yourself puzzle, adventure game. Brothers is an interesting, sombre journey with quirky puzzles and a gimmicky control system. Its a bit predictable and short but it does well what it sets out to achieve. You never really get the hang of controlling the brothers and I doubt this type of control system will ever catch on. It makes an attempt at emotion butAn interesting co-op-with-yourself puzzle, adventure game. Brothers is an interesting, sombre journey with quirky puzzles and a gimmicky control system. Its a bit predictable and short but it does well what it sets out to achieve. You never really get the hang of controlling the brothers and I doubt this type of control system will ever catch on. It makes an attempt at emotion but doesn't reach the heights of The Last of Us or The Walking Dead; honestly the emotion feels a little bit phoned in. I did like it though, there are some very cool creatures, and like I said some of the puzzle solutions, although simple enough, are pretty cool 8/10… Expand
  16. Sanidade0
    Jun 11, 2014
    8
    Brothers: the tale of two sons. wht t say about this art. its just amazing.

    Grafics 12/20 - It is beautyfull, but its not tht well done as i think tht they didnt caring tht much was intencional i give then this grade. Campaign 18/20 - i have to say tht its short, but in only 2~3 hours at most if you kinda slow, it really make you feel this time, its intense, you feel the history. the    Brothers: the tale of two sons. wht t say about this art. its just amazing.

    Grafics 12/20 - It is beautyfull, but its not tht well done as i think tht they didnt caring tht much was intencional i give then this grade.

    Campaign 18/20 - i have to say tht its short, but in only 2~3 hours at most if you kinda slow, it really make you feel this time, its intense, you feel the history. the main and the side-historys even without understanding any word, you really feel the history, is amazing.

    Gameplay 15/20 - then you come: WHT THE HELL the gameplay is awlfull, yeah at first it seems so, but it has to be hard so the game becomes kinda hard too. the gameplay is indeed very good, cause the controls aswer very well.

    Difficulty 10/20 - other than the controls the game is very eazy.

    Fun 20/20 - you dont play this game, you feel it. its very fun when its suposed to, very sad when suposed to etc.

    Overall 83/100    … Expand
  17. mrme5
    Jun 4, 2014
    10
    This game was absolutely amazing. From the beginning to the very end you build a relationship with the brothers that just immerses you into the game. At times the controls added a bit of difficulty ,but that was one of the cool features is controlling two people at once.
    This games pretty much has it all, they did add a lot of emotional parts to it too which is what made me really like    This game was absolutely amazing. From the beginning to the very end you build a relationship with the brothers that just immerses you into the game. At times the controls added a bit of difficulty ,but that was one of the cool features is controlling two people at once.
    This games pretty much has it all, they did add a lot of emotional parts to it too which is what made me really like it! I've never really felt so attached to characters before until I played this game.... and as the game progresses you can see the characters progress too. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who wants a good story. Only bad thing I would have to say which didn't affect it too much for me was that the game was a bit too short but for 14.99 it's a very good deal! I hope starbreeze makes a part 2!!    … Expand
  18. hippie_two
    May 14, 2014
    8
    At first I wasn't sure if I'd get involved in the story since I didn't really liked the promotional art. I'm really happy I continued my purchase. It is an absolutely beautiful game with interesting puzzles and a beautiful and moving story. Very nice! A must play!
  19. tnfsnobelxp
    May 7, 2014
    10
    This game will touch your heart with the story, the graphics and specially the music. The puzzles are great . on overall the game is great experience, with the right size of the story.
  20. SpacedSkunk
    May 2, 2014
    9
    This game is short and sweet, but it holds a certain beauty that is rare in a game. It captures a sense of adventure and emotion that I enjoyed thoroughly - you'll be taken in by amazing surroundings in a world crammed with artistic flavour.

    If you are the kind of person that fancies something different and appreciates a game that is story driven then this is a perfect compliment to    This game is short and sweet, but it holds a certain beauty that is rare in a game. It captures a sense of adventure and emotion that I enjoyed thoroughly - you'll be taken in by amazing surroundings in a world crammed with artistic flavour.

    If you are the kind of person that fancies something different and appreciates a game that is story driven then this is a perfect compliment to your collection - you'll find the controls a little tricky at the start despite being very simple and you'll also find it a short game but it is an experience you rarely find in a game.    … Expand
  21. Karimchii
    Apr 10, 2014
    10
    TBH I was a bit apprehensive of the game at first purchase, because I wasn't sure if it seemed like it was going to be worth the money. However from the get go, I realized I made a very good purchase. I mean where to start. The characters whom are brothers (hence the title) have a relationship that links well with the gameplay. Both have unique styles and interactions with theirTBH I was a bit apprehensive of the game at first purchase, because I wasn't sure if it seemed like it was going to be worth the money. However from the get go, I realized I made a very good purchase. I mean where to start. The characters whom are brothers (hence the title) have a relationship that links well with the gameplay. Both have unique styles and interactions with their surrounding/other people in the game. The story line is amazing, very sad, don't want to give away anything though so won't mention anything further. I also like how the initial story-line/dialogue is short and concise. I like how it starts you off playing the game almost instantly. The controls are easy to master and the gameplay is almost completely buttery smooth on the PS3. Finally the thing that made this game worth the high score of 9/10 from me is that at every point in the game the story line evolved and wasn't the whole rinse, lathe & repeat alot of other games have.

    Major Pro of this game is it's unique style of having to controller 2 players at the same time

    Only con is that it is a little short and you can never have too much of a good thing    … Expand
  22. thedragonage
    Apr 4, 2014
    10
    I didn't even know what anyone was saying, but I understood all of it, nonetheless....

    "Brothers" is a game that borders more on being an art-form than on just being a video game. You are forced, as the player, to pay attention to all the other 80% of communication that comes in the form of facial expressions, visual cues, posture, tone of voice, etc. in order to follow the story of    I didn't even know what anyone was saying, but I understood all of it, nonetheless....

    "Brothers" is a game that borders more on being an art-form than on just being a video game. You are forced, as the player, to pay attention to all the other 80% of communication that comes in the form of facial expressions, visual cues, posture, tone of voice, etc. in order to follow the story of these two sons journeying to find the cure for their father's illness.

    We see in the very beginning how Nyee, the younger brother, watched firsthand as his mother drowned in the sea. Then at a slightly later point in time, he and his older brother, Nya, need to journey to the land of the giants to find a special cure for their ailing father. Along the way, we discover, through having the boys interact with in-game characters, exactly what they are like, personality-wise. Nya, the older brother, is responsible and considerate of others. Nyee is the goof who likes to have a lot of fun. And, we see their beautiful relationship with each other revealed as they encounter life-threatening situation after life-threatening situation.

    The gameplay is difficult at first, but you get used to it after a little while. You use both sticks on your controller to move the boys at the same time, and at no point can they be physically too far away from each other. Imagine they both have a rope tied around their waists and that's how it plays (they literally have a rope between them for some platforming levels). Many puzzles and platforming require good coordination skills, so some may become frustrated as a result.

    You play as both brothers, solving puzzles and figuring out how to get them from point A to point B. There is no combat in this game at all. Neither of these brothers has some sort of weapon or martial arts move-set to use against an enemy. They do face a couple of bosses, but they have to work together to outsmart them David vs. Goliath-style, minus the sling-shot.

    Not only is the world amazing and the story poignant, enough to punch me in the gut harder than most stories ever have before, but this game is rich in symbolism. If you love symbolism, you will love trying to figure out what it all means. I think the giants serve to symbolize adulthood, and how the giants live their lives represents the loss of boyhood, childhood and innocence. Even Nya, the older brother, will find because of his age (early teens), he is more easily corruptible than his much younger brother, Nyee.

    For $15, this is an experience like nothing else, and you won't be sorry you spent it on this game. You may feel like the only reason you're not jumping back in to play it again and again is simply because the game made you feel TOO much, and you need a break before returning to it.

    Don't play this because you want a mind-numbing game to help you forget how crappy your life is. Play it because you want to question life itself and what your childhood really meant. Why did you have to leave it behind? And, to become what--a society-made monster? Perhaps you will realize you want to keep a piece of your former innocence with you at all times. This game is all about how tragic it is to lose that childhood innocence, especially at a young age.

    I give this game either a 10 or at least a 9.5. It deserves every point.    … Expand
  23. mosessaur
    Mar 24, 2014
    10
    I don't know how I should rate this game. But I will ignore the bugs and focus on the emotional effect of this game in addition to it's mind teasing controls with it's simple wonderful puzzles.
    For controls. It's different. Controlling 2 characters at the same time and making them interact with each other to help each other solve a puzzle or pass a certain area is really wonderful. I    I don't know how I should rate this game. But I will ignore the bugs and focus on the emotional effect of this game in addition to it's mind teasing controls with it's simple wonderful puzzles.
    For controls. It's different. Controlling 2 characters at the same time and making them interact with each other to help each other solve a puzzle or pass a certain area is really wonderful. I liked. Playing as the older brother and trying to save your younger brother who you also control will seed you with how strong this relation is. You'll love them both.
    During the game play there are lots of fun moments that will make you chuckle. Also there will be sad moments that will drive your emotions to the edge. Just listen to main theme of the soundtrack and you'll understand how sad these moments could be.
    Puzzles are fantastic. Not hard at all. yet still challenging because of mind teasing controls of controlling 2 characters at the same time to solve those puzzles.
    The story is remarkable. One of the best stories I ever played through. It was touching really. You'll feel it when you play it to the end.
    You'll wish you can be their third character inside the game to give a hand. It was that amazing.
    I'll give this game a 10/10    … Expand
  24. TheQuietGamer
    Mar 19, 2014
    9
    This is one of those games that I feel can be used to portray video games as art. With it's beautiful scenery, ability to tug at your emotions, and unique gameplay it reminds me a lot of "ICO". As far as emotionality goes I actually believe it manages to surpass "ICO," which is an incredibly impressive feat.

    Controlling two playable characters can be a little awkward at times, but    This is one of those games that I feel can be used to portray video games as art. With it's beautiful scenery, ability to tug at your emotions, and unique gameplay it reminds me a lot of "ICO". As far as emotionality goes I actually believe it manages to surpass "ICO," which is an incredibly impressive feat.

    Controlling two playable characters can be a little awkward at times, but overall the gameplay makes great use of this feature and almost always feels fluid. With many memorable moments, a fantastic and emotional story, and fun gameplay I can't think of a reason for anyone to not get this. Yes it is incredibly short, and the only reason to replay it would be to collect all of the trophies, so the $14.99 price tag may seem a little steep, but I'm telling you it is worth it.

    This downloadable gem gave me a more memorable experience than a lot of $60 have, and it is one that will stick with me for a very longtime. So do yourself a favor and buy this game. It's one of the most emotional experiences in gaming, and even though the price may be a bit too high you won't regret the purchase. It's art dang it. I give it a score of 9/10-Amazing.    … Expand
  25. Caribou
    Mar 10, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Brothers is one of those games that gives the player a detailed visual feast but that leaves an essentially empty experience after finishing. Many reviewers have compared Brothers to the 2012 hit Journey, which is one of the reasons I was interested in playing this. However, barring use of a made-up language for the characters and some uncannily similar music scoring in the early parts of the game; I have to disagree and say that this is absolutely nothing like Journey in terms of story content, design, character, game play or even emotional response.

    Based in a Brothers Grimm type of fairy story world; two brothers travel together encountering various creatures and people to find a magical cure for their father's illness. They sometimes help others, or at least interfere with others' lives, through side-quests but the gameplay is going to be a familiar linear experience for anyone used to platformers. There is no free-roaming exploration and for all the details fitted into some environments there is no opportunity to interact with anything that isn't specific to the story line trophies or puzzle-solving.

    The puzzles themselves are pitched at a fairly basic level, with the main complexity coming from the control system for the two brothers and timing their individual button and stick movements. It's perfectly possible to get through the game with persistence rather than mastering the controls though.

    Visually this is a rich, detailed and involving environment. It's not without some clunkiness in shaders, landscape and character design, but mostly it is a truly absorbing world going from homely villages to the wild mountains and far away ice lands. It really does feel like a gradually shifting and changing world. Which is why I've scored this as a five, because it's masterful in world building. I do think there is more than a little inspiration taken from other games though; Final Fantasy IX (The Ilfa tree, anyone?), Lord of the Rings (Mines of Moria) and Harry Potter-style gryphons, giants and castles.

    The problems, for me, centre around how the story and characters are handled. It becomes especially disturbing from about the mid-point of the game, until then you have some fairly mild and stereotypical imagery. The turn towards pointless violence and meaningless cruelty is, presumably, meant to be a "modern" take on classic fairy stories. What it actually displays is a stunningly poor understanding of what fairy tales meant to people within their specific contexts. They often included a historically strong example of the morality of the time. In-game this story lacks any morality or commentary whatsoever, it's just violence and cruelty for the sake of moving the story along; until you get to the very end, where the apparent meaning is so undermining of the events that happened I thought the game was one nasty joke.

    The choice of a made-up language, and exaggerated body language as cues, means that you have to guess what is going on at points. Everyone's interpretation will be different because there is almost zero discoverable backstory or explanation to the story, characters and their motivations.

    ***Spoilers start here****

    There are so many tropes in this that if you were to make a drinking game out if you wouldn't be able to stand upright after twenty minutes. There's the mother who is dead through drowning before the story starts and the younger son who sees ghost mom and feels guilty he couldn't save her. The ill father who needs a magical McGuffin from the end of the world to get better. Older brother is the sensible, physically strong protector. Younger brother is the physically and mentally immature one. They care about each other. And that's all you find out.

    The female characters consist of ghost mom, a troll that wears a dress, make-up, jewellery and who needs rescuing for no reason that is ever explained, despite being twice the size and strength of the two brothers put together. The big villain of the piece? Another "girl" who needs rescuing who turns out to be a were-spider. I called her as a villain a whole thirty minutes before it even reached the boss battle. She cheesily flirts with the older brother, ignores or shouts at the younger brother, shows sudden intelligence, agility, strength and a lack of empathy. Wow, she's the baddie. Who could've guessed?

    Older brother dies of his wounds from the were-spider, so here comes over-long and intrusive scene as the music swells and you have nothing but a purely manipulative focus on his grief and sobbing as the younger brother tries to revive the elder and then buries him. In the end; all of this game seems to happen so the younger brother can overcome survivor guilt and, wait for it, face his fear of swimming with the help of two dead relatives! This is the height of storytelling in games as of 2013? If Brothers is supposed to be on a par with the truly innovative and brilliant Journey, then I'm Hideo Kojima!    … Expand
  26. DaaS
    Mar 6, 2014
    9
    Game Based in a Great Great Story, really clever puzzles, is not common for a player to control to main characters at the same time, Brothers offer you that possibility controlling each brother with each analog stick, despite the game only have to action "move and action" is really well integrated with the puzzles, nice graphics to give this epic adventure a beautiful atmosphere, short butGame Based in a Great Great Story, really clever puzzles, is not common for a player to control to main characters at the same time, Brothers offer you that possibility controlling each brother with each analog stick, despite the game only have to action "move and action" is really well integrated with the puzzles, nice graphics to give this epic adventure a beautiful atmosphere, short but intense 9 points!… Expand
  27. Sebas236
    Mar 2, 2014
    9
    Great game, got this free with ps plus and im glad I downloaded it. PROS: Story, characters, audio, visuals, gameplay. CONS: blurry textures, short, confusing controls (sometimes)
  28. CzarIndustires
    Feb 28, 2014
    9
    Amazing game for anyone who has ever had a fleshy, spiritual or otherwise person they viewed as a brother. The music is deep and rich, the story line grabs you from the very start and the game finishes in a the most glorious and emotionally engaging way possible.

    I wish it was a bit longer and some times the dual stick controls make your head spin. Otherwise, its amazing. There is no    Amazing game for anyone who has ever had a fleshy, spiritual or otherwise person they viewed as a brother. The music is deep and rich, the story line grabs you from the very start and the game finishes in a the most glorious and emotionally engaging way possible.

    I wish it was a bit longer and some times the dual stick controls make your head spin. Otherwise, its amazing. There is no reason for you NOT to purchase and play this game.    … Expand
  29. squall
    Feb 27, 2014
    1
    i've never experienced a game as boring as this. The only thing it has going for it are the beautiful aesthetics and good sound track but other than that there's no reason i would recommend this game to anybody.
  30. thegoldenplague
    Feb 26, 2014
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The games plot-line is very generic, and the ending really upset me, even though it was extremely predictable. The action and puzzle to the game was adequate and fulfilling, but the story was needlessly prolonged given the outcome.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PS3 Game of 2013
33
#33 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2013
77
#77 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. LaPS4
    Jan 22, 2014
    70
    Brothers is one of those games which won't disappoint you if you are looking for something different. However, you must keep in mind that this game is short, even though it's a great game, it's not a long one and it won't offer anything new if you replay it.
    Read full review
  2. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Oct 1, 2013
    84
    Some games stay etched in your memory because of the emotional journey you experienced, like The Walking Dead, The Last of Us or Ico. Brother: A Tale of Two Sons does not quite belong on that list, but it does come very close. [October 2013 p.94]
  3. Giant Bomb
    Sep 19, 2013
    100
    If you're the sort of person who thinks video games are capable of not just entertaining us but also making us think and feel, you owe it to yourself to play Brothers.
    Read full review
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