Braid

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 486 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 400 out of 486
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 486
  3. Negative: 45 out of 486

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  1. RobbieS.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    I love this game. As soon as anyone would walk into the house they would ask what I was playing. Within seconds they were into the game trying to figure out the puzzles the small painterly character was to get through. The art is so beautiful and the storyline thought provoking and subtle. You have got to play this game.
  2. MikeF.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    The best XBLA game I have ever played... one of the best most thoughtful endings ever in a video game.
  3. DrewM.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    Wonderful game - terribly frustrating puzzles that are oh-so-rewarding when you figure them out.
  4. JasonW.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    Well worth the price.
  5. KevinR.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    This game is epic!
  6. SturgisG.
    Aug 12, 2008
    10
    This game is bloody brilliant.
  7. RichardS.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    This game is amazing in so many ways that it brings the medium of video games to another level.
  8. DeddyS.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    Great game!
  9. BenoitT.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    The future is bright for independent games and digitally distributed games. Borrowing from a legacy of legendary classics to make something totally new and groundbreaking. It establishes a much needed precedent for a medium victim of an identity crisis: it makes you think. Unlike you may think it is not the puzzles that will leave a lasting impression on you but the game's story The future is bright for independent games and digitally distributed games. Borrowing from a legacy of legendary classics to make something totally new and groundbreaking. It establishes a much needed precedent for a medium victim of an identity crisis: it makes you think. Unlike you may think it is not the puzzles that will leave a lasting impression on you but the game's story which may or may not be just about a man trying to save a princess. It is up to you to find out. Braid is an instant classic.… Expand
  10. Nick
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    An inspired narrative intertwined with unusual and innovative game design. Plus, it's the best looking game of all time. Perfection.
  11. PaulW.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    Simply. Amazing.
  12. JW.
    Aug 11, 2008
    3
    Only played the demo. Did not hold my interest enough to spend $15.
  13. W.S.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    This game is incredible. Very well made. The visible effort put into the aesthetics in both the animate and inanimate aspects is amazing. the only thing that reminds you of the fact that it is a game and not just art is how fun it is to play. Not to mention the compelling story and overall smooth flow of the game. It twists the platformer genre like your average junior high bully twists a This game is incredible. Very well made. The visible effort put into the aesthetics in both the animate and inanimate aspects is amazing. the only thing that reminds you of the fact that it is a game and not just art is how fun it is to play. Not to mention the compelling story and overall smooth flow of the game. It twists the platformer genre like your average junior high bully twists a pair of nipples.… Expand
  14. JokerS.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    Simply fantastic. Excellent spin on the classic platformer with the added twist of time-bending puzzles. Very cool to play through as it forces you to think in new and creative ways. The sparse and intriguing storyline add to it's mysterious and creative charm and to top it off, the use of the visuals and soundtrack are fantastic. Amidst all the discussion about "Is it really worth Simply fantastic. Excellent spin on the classic platformer with the added twist of time-bending puzzles. Very cool to play through as it forces you to think in new and creative ways. The sparse and intriguing storyline add to it's mysterious and creative charm and to top it off, the use of the visuals and soundtrack are fantastic. Amidst all the discussion about "Is it really worth 1200msp?", I dare you to try the demo and not only decide that it is, but also that Braid is easily one of the best and most important XBLA games to date.… Expand
  15. JeffV
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    Braid is an amazing puzzle platformer that delivers a great story and fun speed runs. Once the puzzles get easy the next puzzle is chaining them all together to get a fast time. Throw in mention of 'Stars' and you have a game that will take longer than everyone keeps saying it takes to complete it 100%.
  16. CarloZ.
    Aug 11, 2008
    10
    This is one of the answers to the old questions whether games can be pieces of art. (Spoiler: they can be.) Incredible game.
  17. DavidD
    Aug 10, 2008
    9
    Amazing game. Well worth the $15 asking price. The story is great and the graphics are superb. The only thing bad about this game is that it ended too quickly. It reminded me of how Darwinia was an amazing game, but was also pretty short.
  18. JohnF.
    Aug 10, 2008
    8
    Decent game that is worth supporting but gets frustrating later on. If you don't enjoy staring at puzzles for an hour and feeling stupid because you can't figure it out, only to figure it out and then start feeling stupid all over again on the next puzzle, you might want to stay away. Otherwise you will enjoy this game.
  19. MatthewM.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    It's time to show the big budget shooters that old school 2D platformers are why games are so popular today.
  20. TomF.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Better than Portal. Clever, engaging, innovative. It truly is art.
  21. WesleyS.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    This game is simply superb, from the minute I started it up I could tell I was going to enjoy the game. First and foremost this game is unique, each puzzle is different from the last, and different from the next. The developer didn't recycle puzzles through the levels which is nice. The visuals on the game are wonderful as well, they have a rather whimsical look to them which ads to This game is simply superb, from the minute I started it up I could tell I was going to enjoy the game. First and foremost this game is unique, each puzzle is different from the last, and different from the next. The developer didn't recycle puzzles through the levels which is nice. The visuals on the game are wonderful as well, they have a rather whimsical look to them which ads to the somewhat fairy tale theme the game has going on. The music in the game is also wonderful as well, it is so good in fact it prompted me to purchase the songs from the game. (Go to the developers website, he has a link to where they can be purchased) To summarize; If you like unique platformer games with a good sense of style that takes a fair bit of brain power to solve, then you definitely want to purchase this game. I can honestly say that this is my favorite Xbox Live Arcade game so far. The only complaint I can find is that the game is to short. It took me about 3 hours to beat, which really isn't bad for an Xbox Live Arcade game. But when you have a game this good you want it to go on forever. So in short, buy this game. Now. Seriously stop reading this, get on your Xbox, and buy it.… Expand
  22. MartinH.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Quite the most unique game I've played in over 30 years of gaming. Beautiful to look at, haunting to listen to and rewarding to play, Braid delights on many levels but crucially never frustrates. A classic I'll return to for years to come.
  23. KevinT.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Braid is a game that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do without any superfluous material. Short and sweet.
  24. MarkL
    Aug 10, 2008
    4
    Sadly this game just hasn't shown me whatever is getting it 10s and 100s. I've only played the demo because that should really be showing me what I can come to expect from the game so there may be some secret I'm missing out on, however, what I played was something that felt like a Freeware game of the 90s. The graphics and sound didn't leap out at me, feeling very Sadly this game just hasn't shown me whatever is getting it 10s and 100s. I've only played the demo because that should really be showing me what I can come to expect from the game so there may be some secret I'm missing out on, however, what I played was something that felt like a Freeware game of the 90s. The graphics and sound didn't leap out at me, feeling very generic and used in 100 platformers before it. The gameplay, although refreshingly simple, was again, generic gameplay that had been done 100 times before and the time mechanics, perhaps they are used in a more creative way later on, was just another 'Rewind time to avoid death' mechanic used in 100 games before it. Obviously this is another niche game that you either get or don't get and sadly, although I was curious about it since it was hyped up as something special, it fell way short of my expectations and felt like another Mario Brothers clone with rewind time.… Expand
  25. DanielR.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Fantastic: deep, simple, constantly changing rules, innovative and beautifully moving - what more could a game provide?
  26. GabeD.
    Aug 10, 2008
    10
    Perfect. Every puzzle is tweaked and refined to a T. Echochrome wishes it was was this good. Not to mention its rewarding. Figuring out the puzzles is the most rewarding experiences I've ever had in any game.
  27. JeffS.
    Aug 9, 2008
    10
    Look I don't buy many arcade games especially over the 400 point tag. I realize this game is 15 and if you are smart the puzzles won't take you long but that is what this game is about the puzzles. I loved it and I will be working on the speed run now.
  28. JohnnyR.
    Aug 9, 2008
    10
    An Unforgettable experience. Amazing what emotion a little unknown 2d platformer can generate.
  29. RolandDeschain
    Aug 9, 2008
    10
    What Ryan B. said.
  30. GeoffK.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    Braid is the "Super Mario" killer! This game will sell Xbox 360s and I predict that it will be the #1 top game of the year. Look out Wii fans -- this cutesy platformer will make your system obsolete. Can't wait to see what Sony will do to top this "Mario/Sonic/Ratchet" killer app!!!
  31. CharlesS.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    Braid is like a dream; it plays, looks and sounds like no other game you have played before. It's a unique and masterful piece of art worth of its price.
  32. RyanB.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    If $5 is the premium put on a game of this caliber, why do we allow developers like EA to charge us $60 for drivel like Wall-E the video game? There may always be a place for big blockbuster games like Madden, Bioshock, and GTA, but the future of gaming will be digital distribution. If Wall-E the game is force to compete side by side in a list with games like Braid which game would YOU chose?
  33. MattS.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    Awesome game. I haven't been intrigued by a game this much since Portal.
  34. JamesB.
    Aug 8, 2008
    10
    Braid is a strange one, a magical and oddly compelling tale, of Love, time and a Princess told through the medium of Super Mario style platforming by way of Blinx style time manipulation.
  35. JustinC.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    The bittersweet ending left me going back for with nothing to find. The game is nearly traumatic and just enough challenge to keep it from over the top frustration. I love it.
  36. DemianH.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    From the moment the title screen appeared, it was clear that this was going to be a special moment in my gaming memories.Pricey, but worth every XBL point!
  37. BrianJ.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    This is a phenomenal achievement for XBLA. The explanation for Braid's industry-wide praise can be summed up in one word: Finesse The gameplay is simple and undiluted. The appearance is truly gorgeous; It makes Nintendo's latest catalogue of classics look like an archive of fluff. The score is delightful, light, and unintrusive. Braid effortlessly provides the most clever and This is a phenomenal achievement for XBLA. The explanation for Braid's industry-wide praise can be summed up in one word: Finesse The gameplay is simple and undiluted. The appearance is truly gorgeous; It makes Nintendo's latest catalogue of classics look like an archive of fluff. The score is delightful, light, and unintrusive. Braid effortlessly provides the most clever and imaginative experience available on any platform, at any price. Like Portal, it is a pity it was over so quickly.… Expand
  38. Blake
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    The quality of the art, atmosphere, and music amazes me. The gameplay mechanics are always unique and never repetitive. This is a truly brilliant platformer that deserves much respect and attention.
  39. JonG.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    Brilliant game. One of the best in a long time.
  40. SteveC.
    Aug 7, 2008
    10
    This will destroy both your concept of time & your opinion of just what a platform game can be.
  41. JuanC.
    Aug 7, 2008
    9
    Great game that is innovative and fun! Even if it is a little overpriced, its worth it.
  42. PrimusM.a
    Aug 6, 2008
    6
    While the actual gameplay held my interest for perhaps two hours, most of the gameplay is derivative and tedious. The narrative, on the other hand, is not particularly compelling despite obvious effort to make it unique and different. I don't buy into the "art" of the experience, since it was like reading teen angst poetry. You may enjoy it more than I did if you like puzzle While the actual gameplay held my interest for perhaps two hours, most of the gameplay is derivative and tedious. The narrative, on the other hand, is not particularly compelling despite obvious effort to make it unique and different. I don't buy into the "art" of the experience, since it was like reading teen angst poetry. You may enjoy it more than I did if you like puzzle platformers, which I don't care for.… Expand
  43. GregS.
    Aug 6, 2008
    10
    This game is probably one of the best games I've ever played. I can't think of anything bad to say about it.
  44. EduardoB.
    Aug 6, 2008
    10
    Braid is an amazing achievement. Simply put, you won't see any other game like this for a long time. Please, support it by purchasing the full game on XBLA. It's game like this that make gaming good, fun, innovative, and a true art form. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
  45. Nico
    Aug 6, 2008
    9
    Amazing... imaginative. Starts out real slow, but once you learn the mechanics of the world it is so satisfying to play. Lining up levels, moving things, changing time just to have an enemy fall so you can get a puzzle piece... brilliant.
  46. JimB.
    Aug 6, 2008
    5
    Pretty good but ultimately kind of unfulfilling. I got to the end and will never look at it again.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
13
#13 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
16
#16 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. IGN
    88
    Imaginative, innovative, and engrossing, Braid is a spectacular achievement. If only the experience lasted a little longer and there weren't as many puzzles with singular solutions.
    Read full review
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    80
    You can't put a price on innovation. [Issue#34, p.116]
  3. Eurogamer
    100
    Braid is beautiful, entertaining and inspiring. It stretches both intellect and emotion, and these elements dovetail beautifully rather than chaffing against each other. Still wondering if games can be art? Here's your answer.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »