Braid Impressions, Is It Worth 1200?
Here we are on a fabolous Wednesday. Bionic Commando: Rearmed released today for 800 Microsoft Points a week after Braid hit the Arcade for a hefty 1200 Microsoft Points. I played a bit of Braid last night and now I shall share my impressions of Braid with you.
The first thing that jumped out at me was how beautiful the game was. Walking through the menu essentially was an experience I can say I’ve never had on any other Xbox Live Arcade title. Unique. Clever. Engaging. All these words could describe what went through my mind simply walking around the screen to get to the first chapter. Braid is nothing short of a Picasso on screen.
The story, as I had to read, wasn’t thrilling. There’s a princess who you apparently fell out of favor with and her “braid” hit you in the face or something. I’m sure had I downloaded the full retail game, that the story would unravel and become better. However, at this point, I can’t say I was too impressed with it.
The gameplay will almost immediately remind you of your favorite plumber, Mario. You jump on top of enemies to kill them. You ride objects to get to different levels. There are a variety of things that stand out as “Mario-like”. If anyone argues that there is no Mario influence, tell them I said they’re a disgrace to gamers. This isn’t a bad thing and quite frankly, everything has an influence here and there from everything. You travel around to unlock puzzle pieces that I’m guessing will unlock more of the story. I thought this was another impressive part of the game with how it was delivered. There are points in the game that allow you to put the puzzle together with various combinations of the LB/RB button and R/L stick. In the words of Will Ferrell in Old School, it was “glorious”.
The time reversal mechanic was pretty cool. You never die really. I thought this would be cool being able to simply hit X to go back and fix whatever mistake you made but what happens when I really did want to start over? Yes I could hit the menu and go back but why not just die? That didn’t stop it from being a really cool gameplay addition though.
That’s about all I had time to sort through from last night. Is Braid worth 1200 Microsoft Points? I’ve never been as confused on a question as I am with the one about Braid’s worth. The game is absolutely amazing to look at. I didn’t care for the music but just looking at Braid’s artistic style was great. Kudos Mr. Jonathan Blow on a visually stunning game. But is it worth it? I can’t answer that but I hope my impressions help. Play the trial version and see if it’s your cup of tea.
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well i feel noobish lol
August 13th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I tried out the trial version and it was pretty fun, I probably won’t buy it though, at least not for a while anyway. There’s a bunch of other Live games I want to get first.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Fbale2 XBLA sucks, IMO Braid is not worth the 1200 points. I rather buy Half Life 2 with all its games and Portal, U can get it used for under $30 and have more games than $15 for BRAID :p
August 13th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
lmao @ Deacon, you’re cheap dude. My mother-in-law is a hairstylist and I pay her $25/haircut and I don’t even have that much hair.
Sorry dude, they have to make a living too you know. She tells me she gets $20 tips when she styles a females hair and that’s after charging $100 to $300 for hair straightening adding color and stuff…..lol. She doesn’t keep it all though b/c she pays rent to the owner of the place. Imagine if you had to feed your family off $15/haircuts. Just thought you should know since you’re complaining of $15 haircuts.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I played the trial and it was just bland. The artwork was awesome but nothing else was “jeez thats so awesome!!!” I think Braids Dev is asking a bit much out of gamers when they set the price that high….and then get interviewed saying that theyre still in debt.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
@Hartman lol i’m not complaining. just saying the things i spend $15 on.
but anyway my barber for instance cuts about 100 heads a day. do the math. that’s not exactly pocket change for him ya know.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
i agree with Jokar. nothing so “wow” about this other that how pretty it is..and like Deacon said, it’s really stunning for an XBLA game.
but puzzles and time bending etc aren’t so much “wow” that makes me want to dish out 1200 points.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
@Deacon - $15 x 100 = $1500 / day 1500 x 242 (approx work days in a year less holidays & vacation) = $363,000.00 ! ! ! I just called and made an appointment with an admissions instructor at the Ohio State Barber College A Geek + clippers = ftw!
August 13th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
@Geek Head, yeah he’s not struggling believe me. he’s always iced out and blinging etc. he owns the shop too. so i think at $15 a cut he’s ok.
naturally i’m sure that’s not normal but just giving my own experience lol
August 13th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
@HeadGeek, if you only work 242 out of the 365 days in the year, just how much vacation time did you give yourself?
And in what video-game based world do you intend to do 100 haircuts a day? I sense competition for RootBeerTapper on the XBLA!!
Nu
August 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
@NuAngel - in defense of my math - figured 5 days / week X 52 = 260 days - then just guessed - allowing for 2 weeks vacation (10) & 8 holidays - reduced the # to 242
Then since I’ll be chopping hair like a mad man, perhaps Timber would be a better video game comparison ( I think that is what it was called)
August 13th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
ZOMG MATH! /Throws up XD
August 13th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
OMG i can’t believe how funny this is
Braid
Haircuts,
Rainmaker!! LOL
woo i’m tickled
August 13th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
ehhh not my type of game for 1200
August 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
It is pretty slick, I’m sure I’ll pick it up soon. Was saving the points I had for Bionic Commando Rearmed…
August 14th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Yeah they shouldn’t complain, if they priced it at 800 points more people (like me) would buy their game. Stupid move by any developer to price and arcade game above 800 points.
“I think Braids Dev is asking a bit much out of gamers when they set the price that high….and then get interviewed saying that they’re still in debt.”
@DB
Your barber cuts 100 heads a day he deserves $1500/day. Unless he cuts all that hair alone and he already owns his place. Most barbers lease a building and that’s eats away their profits along with keeping A/C running, cable etc…..but I couldn’t do that job. Imagine dealing with random peoples hair and heads all day, yuck!
August 14th, 2008 at 8:34 am
@Hartman, hey they have to do what they have to do in order to pay the bills…can’t be made at ‘em.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
If I had them, I sure will buy it. I got in love with this game since I played the demo. It’s worth every penny.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
well I enjoyed the game so if I win some points I am buying BRAID!
August 15th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Hey Col I just saw your picture, I am a fan of Tool also.
What’s your favorite album?