Braid

The main pros of the game

• Unique Puzzle Mechanics: The game's core mechanic of manipulating time is praised as innovative and engaging, providing players with "eureka" moments that feel rewarding.
• Artistic Presentation: Braid features beautiful hand-painted graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
• Thought-Provoking Narrative: Many players appreciate the cryptic and layered storytelling, which explores themes of regret and the complexity of time, often leaving a lasting impression.
• Challenging Puzzles: The puzzles are designed to encourage players to think outside the box, with a satisfying sense of accomplishment upon solving them.
• Historical Significance: As an early indie title, Braid is recognized as a landmark game that helped shape the indie game scene.

The main cons of the game

• Platforming Mechanics: Some players find the platforming aspects frustrating, citing issues with controls, hitboxes, and the floaty nature of jumping.
• Difficulty Level: While many enjoy the challenge, others feel that some puzzles can be excessively difficult or require external help to solve, which may deter casual players.
• Short Length: The game is relatively short, leading some to feel that the price does not reflect the amount of content provided.
• Pretentious Elements: A portion of the player base views the narrative and writing as self-indulgent or overly cryptic, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Clearer Explanations: Some players express a desire for better guidance on puzzle mechanics, as certain puzzles lack adequate instruction or hints.
• Expanded Mechanics: There are comments about the game not fully utilizing its time-manipulation mechanics throughout, leaving players wanting more depth in gameplay.
• Improved Platforming Control: Feedback indicates that the platforming could benefit from more responsive controls and refined physics to enhance overall gameplay.
• Narrative Cohesion: While the story is appreciated for its depth, some players feel that it is ambiguous or convoluted, suggesting a need for clearer connections between the narrative and gameplay.

Summary

• Overall, Braid is celebrated for its artistic and intellectual contributions to gaming, while also facing criticism for its control mechanics and puzzle difficulty. The game remains a significant title in the indie gaming landscape, with many recommending the remastered version for a more polished experience.

Summary generated on: October 29, 2025