Comments on: Braid Demo

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:57:28 +0000

The comments sound so hateful in this thread.
I bought the game a week ago and I solved it with my girlfriend. She never played any game before, we had a lot of fun.
The last level was pure genious and a bit sad.
This was the best game I played in a long time. It took me two evenings to solve it.

By: Ingix

Ingix — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:29:50 +0000

On the question of Impulse and DRM:

I used the “Download and archive”-Function of Impulse, then turned off my connection to the internet (router), unpacked the game and ran it two or three levels into World 2.

All of this worked without a problem, so it looks like the Impulse version is really without DRM. Of course, it could be that some authentication is done after the Demo levels end.

By: Tarn

Tarn — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:28:49 +0000

@Tei If you’re a good writer as well as a good programmer, then please feel free to write dialogue/prose/poetry etc. :) There are some people that have excellent skills in both fields, but most do not.

I’m still confused as to why people are spending so much time analysing the text of the game. Unless it becomes a major factor at a later stage, it all seems to be such a minor part of the overall game. The puzzles are great, the art is great, the ideas are great.

I don’t actually have a problem with the story itself. It seems to be a mild piss-take of Super Mario et al, if anything, which amuses me. What I do wish, though, is that it was told more through the visuals than the text. A screen of text seems like a slightly lazy way to tell a story, and it separates the gaming from the story in such a way as to make the story largely irrelevant to what is actually going on.

If Braid told its story in a more natural, visual manner – even the exact same story – then it would work much better for me. The words – regardless of their quality – just don’t seem to fit into the design for me.

The opening, for example, with Tim emerging from the darkness of the street, going into the house, is amazingly evocative. The gradually emerging puzzles are intriguing. I’m not sure the story needed over-stating in the level selection screens.

Meanwhile, I’m rather stuck on the last few levels. Tricky buggers.

By: Cedge

Cedge — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:30:02 +0000

@Thirith:
I have given examples of why I think it’s trite and pretentious. Or have those comments been deleted?

And hey, I’m not saying you couldn’t have a good “angsty” game (though I sure as hell haven’s seen one). I’m saying that Braid is bad at it.

Again, Braid comes across as being written like something I would read from a poetry assignment done by an angsty first-year university student who spends too much time in hip coffee shops. If that’s cool to you, then so be it. I don’t think I have ever condemned anyone enjoying this game.

By: Tei

Tei — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:23:22 +0000

@Tarn
“As my passing girlfriend (who doesn’t play many games but reads a lot of books) mentioned, “computer game programmers shouldn’t try to write.””

*sadface* I am programmer myself, and I don’t see why I sould not write stuff. *sadface*

Oh.. the comment is about Braid? cool. If is not a generalization about all programmers, I am happy.

By: Thirith

Thirith — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:21:11 +0000

@Cedge: So far you’ve basically been saying that Braid‘s writing is pretentious and trite because you say it is pretentious and trite. The mere statement doesn’t make it so. If you have a point, argue for it. So far your argument has consisted of being passive-aggressive and repetitive. Just because something treats themes that you consider angsty doesn’t make it trite or pretentious – because that would mean that there are certain topics that are off-limits for writers. Any theme can be done well or badly; just stating again and again that Jonathan Blow did them badly doesn’t constitute an argument unless you consider “Is not!” “Is so!” “Is not!” “Is so!” an argument.

By: psyk

psyk — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:16:57 +0000

Is it possible to hide the comment in till its moused over here? People need to finish the game to get the whole story as the real story hasn’t been said here.

By: Cedge

Cedge — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:10:36 +0000

@Jazmeister:
Only you can judge things for yourself.

@whalleywhat:
Trite is the perfect word to describe it, so you’re setting a ground rule that I’m not allowed to use that word? Wonderful.

The writing about “university” and it’s “social tightrope” and the “insecurities” of it just reeks of teeny Livejournal-style angst. The waxing on “mistakes” and “relationships” and “regret,” all similarly reek of someone desperate to sound dramatic.

But, I see how it is. Not I’m not allowed to call the game “trite” or “pretentious.” Next, I won’t be allowed to call it “angsty,” and will have to find yet another way to describe it.

Also, regarding your last statement:
“‘Trite’ speaks to some sort of shortcut or insincerity taking place, which doesn’t quite jibe with a guy sinking 100 grand into designing his own game.”

Self-funding is is no more a guarantee of sincerity, than triteness is a shortcut to it. And besides, it’s not exactly like the creation of this game was an act of charity.

By: whalleywhat

whalleywhat — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:56:55 +0000

@Cedge: Then I’m gonna echo what Thirith said and ask you to identify your definition of pretension in Braid, cause everything about the game exudes effort and thought for me. ‘Trite’ speaks to some sort of shortcut or insincerity taking place, which doesn’t quite jibe with a guy sinking 100 grand into designing his own game.

By: Jazmeister

Jazmeister — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:49:33 +0000

I didn’t read any hype, and just from playing the demo four times, I think I’m in love. Now if I can just manipulate events to produce money, I’ll be able to smother myself in Braid and laugh and be walked in upon.

I was really excited about the writing, actually. I somethings think that some people aren’t even qualified to judge the quality of things at all.

By: teo

teo — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:28:33 +0000

@eyemessiah decide for yourself

By: jalf

jalf — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:33:52 +0000

Oh jeez, is this discussion still going on?

@Tei: We’re not talking about God of War or another big title developed by a team of 100. We’re talking about Braid. And as far as I know, Jonathan Blow is both programmer and writer on *that*. Which means that Tam (‘s girlfriend’s) comment was applicable.