Braid is a true breakthrough in the indie game genre. At first glance, it may seem that Braid is some sort of remake of the game about the adventures of the plumber Mario. Moreover, in reality, Braid is actually a much deeper game, and it's not just about the psychedelic design (evil rabbits, strange fluffy heads) and the unique ability of the main character to rewind time. This game can completely change the player's worldview. It is a story about time, about love, about mistakes that cannot be corrected.
The gameplay, as already mentioned, is not based on the banal jumping and bouncing off enemies. The player must use their brains and solve puzzles while rewinding time (although in later levels new abilities emerge - for example, the hero's doppelgänger, or a ring that creates a sphere and slows down time around it). While playing, you hardly need to think at all. The goal of the level is to get from the beginning to the end (in some parts in the middle there is a boss that must be defeated, using, strangely, falling crystal chandeliers). Pieces of a puzzle are scattered throughout different places on the level. There are a total of five worlds in the game - one puzzle for each, with pieces spread across the levels of that world. All the worlds differ dramatically from each other, and in each of them, you can read a story about the main character, Tim.
Tim has lost his princess and is now searching for her. He wants to correct the mistakes he has made. But at the end of each world, he is met by an unchanging plush dinosaur, who relentlessly says, "Sorry, but the princess is in another castle." And the pictures, which can be collected from the puzzle pieces found on the levels, complete the overall picture of the touching story of Tim. Together with magnificent music and stunningly beautiful backgrounds, the game leaves an indelible impression.
Many Western and domestic critics have rated Braid very highly. And it's no wonder, Braid is not just a game. Never before has a game had such a philosophical story, such a well-thought-out plot - although it is linear, it is capable of touching the player's soul and changing their views on life - like after reading all of Dostoevsky's novels. The only downside to Braid is probably the unjustifiably high system requirements - even though the game is fully a 2D platformer. Nevertheless, the overall style is impeccably maintained, and in addition to beautiful graphics, a magnificent plot, and stunning musical accompaniment, the game contains numerous extremely original design solutions. Thus, the game is a vivid example of how indie games can provide worthy competition to many soulless AAA projects, and sometimes even leave them far behind.