Info about Braid, Anniversary Edition:

Official game description:
Control the flow of time to solve subtle platform puzzles in this update of the indie classic "Braid," featuring refreshed artwork and seriously in-depth creator commentary. Travel from a city house through a series of interconnected worlds where time behaves strangely, searching for an elusive Princess. Along the way you'll explore memories and regrets that still haunt you. This Anniversary Edition remaster of the award-winning platformer contains fully repainted high-resolution graphics, new sound effects and extensive audio commentary.
MANIPULATE TIME TO MOVE FORWARD
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Rewind, pause and use the strange properties of time in each world to run and jump through beautifully painted environments. Avoid hazards, unlock doors and collect jigsaw puzzle pieces to assemble. If you get hung up on a particular puzzle, feel free to move on and return later.
A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
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This is the game you remember, with all the original challenges and the same haunting, evocative score — but repainted pixel by pixel so that each carefully rendered world comes to life in high resolution. New visual details, animated brushstroke effects and revamped sounds add to the immersive experience.
GO (DEEP) BEHIND THE SCENES
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Explore the most extensive developer commentary ever put into a game, with over 15 hours of recorded insight and conversation from developer Jonathan Blow, artist David Hellman and more members of the "Braid" creative team. Navigate it by visiting a new in-game world, which also contains new puzzles and redesigns of classic puzzles.  
*   Created By thekla, Inc.

Release date: May 14, 2024

Categories: Puzzle Solving, Perspective-based Puzzles, Time-based Mechanics, Platformer, 2D Platformer, Environmental Storytelling, Non-linear Progression, Non-linear Narrative


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Exceptional puzzle design praised (weight 0.85): Players consistently highlight the game's puzzles as innovative, thought-provoking, and rewarding. The design encourages creative thinking and provides 'Eureka' moments, making it a standout feature.
- High-quality remastered visuals and audio (weight 0.56): The remastered graphics and soundtrack are widely appreciated for enhancing the original game's aesthetic while preserving its artistic identity. Players enjoy the ability to toggle between old and new styles.
- Insightful developer commentary (weight 0.56): The commentary mode is praised for providing deep insights into game design, development challenges, and creative decisions. It adds significant value, especially for aspiring developers.
- Emotional and intertwined narrative (weight 0.4): The game's story is described as deep, personal, and emotionally resonant. It is tightly woven with gameplay mechanics, leaving a lasting impact on players.
- Beautiful art style and soundtrack (weight 0.3): The hand-painted art style and soothing soundtrack are frequently mentioned as immersive and visually stunning. They complement the game's narrative and gameplay seamlessly.
- Impactful and surprising ending (weight 0.25): The game's finale, including its narrative twist and reverse mechanics, is described as mind-blowing and emotionally evocative. It elevates the overall storytelling.
- Flawless technical performance (weight 0.14): The game runs smoothly at high resolutions (e.g., 4K) with no reported bugs or crashes. Players appreciate its polish and optimization.
- Engaging and rewarding gameplay loop (weight 0.14): Players describe the game as highly addictive, with satisfying 'AHA' moments and a strong sense of accomplishment. It offers replay value and a personal connection to discovery.
- Well-balanced difficulty and design (weight 0.13): The game's difficulty is praised for being challenging yet fair. Levels are intentionally designed, with new additions in the anniversary edition maintaining the original's charm.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles Too Difficult or Obscure (weight 0.7): Puzzles are frequently described as unintuitive, requiring external guides or excessive dexterity. Some solutions are deemed absurd, while others rely on trial-and-error due to poor controls or lack of hints.
- Poor Level Design Frustrates Players (weight 0.63): Many players report that later levels lack cohesion, introduce mechanics awkwardly, and require precision/timing over pure puzzle-solving. Specific levels like 'Double Barrel' and 'Grip' are cited as poorly designed, contradicting the game's philosophy of easy retries.
- Lack of New Content (weight 0.61): Players who completed the original game find the anniversary edition lacking in substantial new content. The advertised '40 new levels' are misleading, with many being prototypes or poorly integrated.
- Poor Controls and Platforming (weight 0.51): Controls are described as sluggish, imprecise, or frustrating, particularly for platforming sections. Jump mechanics are singled out as cumbersome and difficult to execute.
- Commentary System Overly Complex (weight 0.39): The developer commentary is criticized for being verbose, repetitive, and poorly integrated. Players find it difficult to navigate, immersion-breaking, and lacking in substance, with no playback controls or clear signposting.
- Star Collection Punishingly Hard (weight 0.27): Collecting stars is widely criticized as overly difficult, with hidden locations, lack of hints, and extreme precision requirements. Some stars (e.g., the 2-hour idle puzzle) are called out as particularly frustrating.
- Art Style Polarizing or Outdated (weight 0.11): The game's minimalistic or remastered art style is described as off-putting, unnecessary, or failing to capture players' interest. Some remastered graphics are deemed worse than the original.
- Time Mechanics Feel Tedious (weight 0.09): Time manipulation mechanics, such as rewinding, are criticized for being imprecise, luck-based, or confusing after the initial worlds, detracting from the puzzle-solving experience.
- Translation Issues in Non-English Versions (weight 0.09): Machine translations (e.g., Japanese, Chinese) are criticized for rendering commentary inscrutable or missing the artistic weight of the original text, reducing accessibility.
- Speedrun Challenges Overly Punishing (weight 0.08): Speedrunning achievements (e.g., 45-minute challenge) are criticized as mechanically difficult and time-consuming, requiring memorization and reducing replayability.

Gameplay feedback:
- Time manipulation core mechanic (weight 0.99): The game prominently features time-based mechanics, such as rewinding, fast-forwarding, and local time manipulation, as a central puzzle-solving tool. Players can reverse actions, interact with time-reversed elements, and explore variations of time mechanics across different worlds.
- Puzzle-platformer hybrid design (weight 0.76): The game blends platforming elements (e.g., jumping, stomping) with intricate puzzle-solving, creating a unique hybrid experience. Puzzles often require physical execution, timing, and creative problem-solving, while platforming mechanics are integrated into the puzzle design.
- Unique world-specific mechanics (weight 0.74): Each world introduces distinct mechanics, such as time rings, directional time flow, or rule-breaking puzzles, ensuring variety and escalating complexity. This design encourages players to adapt their problem-solving approach for each segment.
- Narrative-driven gameplay (weight 0.5): The game features a thematically rich narrative that is tightly integrated with its mechanics, often exploring themes like regret, causality, and time. The storytelling is non-intrusive, fragmented, and symbolic, enhancing the puzzle-solving experience.
- Collectibles and hidden secrets (weight 0.38): Players can collect puzzle pieces and stars, often hidden in challenging or hard-to-reach locations. These collectibles unlock additional content, such as new levels or alternate endings, and require exploration, timing, and ingenuity to obtain.
- New puzzles in remaster (weight 0.18): The anniversary edition or remaster includes additional puzzles and levels, often hidden within commentary areas or requiring exploration to access. These new puzzles introduce unique mechanics not present in the original game.
- Non-linear progression and exploration (weight 0.17): The game encourages open-ended exploration, with non-linear level progression and alternative layouts. Players can revisit levels or discover hidden areas, adding replayability and depth to the experience.
- Speedrunning challenges (weight 0.1): The game offers speedrun-focused achievements and levels, requiring players to memorize layouts and execute perfect runs. This adds a competitive and replayable dimension to the gameplay.
- Precision platforming mechanics (weight 0.09): Certain sections of the game require precise platforming skills, such as timing jumps or navigating tight spaces. These mechanics complement the puzzle-solving elements and add variety to the gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Excellent hardware compatibility (weight 0.07): The game runs smoothly on both modern and older hardware (e.g., 15-year-old PCs) with no reported crashes or bugs. Performance is consistently stable across a wide range of systems.
- High-resolution and FPS support (weight 0.07): The game supports 4K resolutions, high refresh rates, and uncapped frame rates, delivering smooth gameplay at 60 FPS or higher on capable hardware.
- Smooth animations and physics (weight 0.07): Improved lighting, animations, and precise physics enhance gameplay fluidity. Visual bugs at high refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz) have been resolved via patches.
- Fast load and performance times (weight 0.04): The game features fast startup and shutdown times, with some players reporting instant launches. This contributes to a seamless user experience.
- Visual noise on small screens (weight 0.02): Players report visual noise or artifacts on smaller screens when resolution settings are adjusted, impacting the overall visual experience.
- Efficient time-rewinding mechanics (weight 0.02): The game implements time rewinding via collision tracking rather than continuous recording, optimizing memory usage without sacrificing functionality.

Recommendations:
- Value tied to sales/discounts (weight 0.37): The game is frequently recommended only at lower price points (e.g., $5 or during sales). Full price is often deemed unjustified, especially for original owners or those seeking minimal upgrades.
- Must-play for puzzle fans (weight 0.37): The game is consistently recommended for puzzle enthusiasts, fans of platformers, and those who enjoy unique mechanics. Its appeal spans both casual and hardcore puzzle solvers, though accessibility may vary.
- Avoid if seeking accessibility (weight 0.29): Players who struggle with platforming or prefer casual experiences may find the game frustrating. Its challenge and niche mechanics limit broad appeal.
- Best for new players (weight 0.26): New players are strongly encouraged to try the game, with many reviews highlighting its refined experience and value for first-time players. Returning players may find less incentive unless interested in developer commentary.
- Remaster appeals for nostalgia/upgrades (weight 0.22): The Anniversary Edition is recommended for its visual/sound improvements and nostalgic value, though some argue the original suffices. Veterans may prioritize commentary or aesthetic upgrades.
- Artistic/philosophical depth praised (weight 0.16): The game is lauded as a masterpiece for its narrative, emotional depth, and innovative design. It’s often cited as a milestone in indie game development and personal culture.
- Original preferred over remaster (weight 0.07): Some reviews suggest replaying the original instead of buying the Anniversary Edition, citing redundancy or insufficient new content to justify repurchasing.
- Not worth full price for all (weight 0.06): Criticism focuses on the game’s short length, lack of substantial new content, or perceived overpricing, especially for original owners or non-English speakers.
- Support developer’s future work (weight 0.06): The game is recommended as a way to support Jonathan Blow’s future projects, particularly for fans of his design philosophy or indie game development.
- Spoilers and external resources (weight 0.06): Reviews advise avoiding spoilers (e.g., Twitter) and solving puzzles independently for the best experience. Some prefer watching commentary on YouTube over in-game.

Other player notes:
- Historical impact on indie gaming (weight 0.11): The game is celebrated as a legendary indie title that kickstarted the indie revolution and remains one of the most important games of all time. Its influence extends to commercializing indie games and inspiring future works.
- Developer's design philosophy (weight 0.11): Jonathan Blow’s iterative design process, strong opinions on industry norms (e.g., splash screens, tile-based art), and personal sensibilities are a major focus of the commentary. Some players support his stance, while others critique it.
- Themes of time and causality (weight 0.07): The story explores deep themes of causality, time, and personal growth, often serving as a metaphor for real-life struggles. Players note its open-ended interpretation, including debates about its connection to the atomic bomb.
- Inspired by classic platformers (weight 0.07): The game draws clear inspiration from classic Mario games, with some players humorously describing the protagonist as a mix of Mario and other cultural figures. Comparisons to *The Witness* and other indie titles like *Super Meat Boy* are frequent.
- Nostalgia and personal impact (weight 0.06): The game evokes strong nostalgia for those who played the original and has influenced players' career paths. Personal anecdotes, such as its music being used at weddings, underscore its emotional resonance.
- Gameplay length and accessibility (weight 0.05): The game offers ~10 hours of linear progression, though the 15-hour commentary for a shorter experience is noted. Its age (16 years) and lack of mod support in the remaster may affect accessibility for some players.
- Developer support appeals (weight 0.05): Some reviews emphasize the importance of supporting Jonathan Blow and the developer’s vision, framing the purchase as a way to back indie innovation. This sentiment is tied to broader discussions about industry norms.
- Ethical and technical discussions (weight 0.05): The game sparks debates on ethical topics like machine translation in art and includes unused/abandoned level designs in the commentary. Mac compatibility was added in 2024, addressing a long-standing limitation.
- 3D motion sickness concerns (weight 0.02): Some players report experiencing 3D motion sickness, which can detract from the gameplay experience. This issue is highlighted as a potential barrier for certain audiences.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.19): Players frequently cite overly difficult or unintuitive puzzle design as a major source of frustration, particularly in star collection, hidden secrets, and timing-based mechanics. Many also highlight poor controls, punishing level design, and a lack of hints or clear communication, which exacerbate the challenge and create repeated failures.
- Appreciation (weight 0.1): Players appreciate the game's artistic design, minimalist aesthetic, and clever puzzle mechanics, which are often described as innovative and thought-provoking. The developer commentary is also praised for providing unique insights into the game's creation, storytelling, and design philosophy, adding educational and historical value.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Disappointment stems from the game's outdated graphics, repetitive or trivial puzzles, and a lack of meaningful new content in the Anniversary Edition. Players also express frustration with the narrative's confusing or unsatisfying elements, as well as perceived design flaws like tedious time mechanics and poorly integrated commentary.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players feel a strong sense of satisfaction from solving the game's challenging puzzles, often describing moments of realization or 'AHA' insights as deeply rewarding. The progressive learning curve, high-quality art and music, and the ability to complete the game without external help also contribute to this positive emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Admiration is directed toward the game's creativity, depth, and craftsmanship, particularly its ability to transform simple mechanics into complex and meaningful experiences. Players also praise the developer's passion, attention to detail, and the game's philosophical and artistic qualities, which elevate it to the status of a masterpiece.
- Awe (weight 0.06): Players express awe at the game's intricate puzzle design, innovative time mechanics, and the emotional impact of its narrative twist. The visual and artistic upgrades in the Anniversary Edition, as well as the game's ability to provoke deep thought and reflection, further contribute to this sense of wonder.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment is derived from the game's fun and creative puzzle-solving mechanics, which offer a smooth difficulty curve and satisfying 'AHA' moments. Players also appreciate the improved graphics, engaging storytelling, and the unique time-rewind mechanic, which add to the overall positive experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Nostalgia is evoked by revisiting the game after many years, with players reflecting on its impact during their youth and its historical significance in the indie game space. The game's ability to reconnect players with past experiences and its role in shaping their gaming journey are key contributors to this emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is driven by the game's innovative time-reversal mechanics, clever puzzle design, and the anticipation of solving challenging or hidden content. Players also express enthusiasm for the remastered features, such as enhanced visuals and developer insights, which enhance the overall experience.
- Curiosity (weight 0.03): Curiosity is sparked by the game's philosophical and narrative depth, as well as its unique mechanics that encourage unconventional thinking about time. Players are also intrigued by the developer's design philosophy and the hidden meanings or messages embedded in the gameplay and story.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Confusion arises from the game's complex time mechanics, ambiguous puzzle solutions, and cryptic storytelling, particularly in later stages. Players also struggle with unclear objectives, such as navigating the commentary world or understanding the narrative's deeper themes.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise is triggered by unexpected elements like boss fights, narrative twists, and hidden meanings in the story. Players are also caught off guard by the game's depth, which often exceeds their initial expectations, and the innovative time-rewind mechanic for its time.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed toward the developer for creating a game with significant artistic and personal value. Players also appreciate the game's influence on their lives, careers, and the broader indie game space, as well as the inclusion of developer commentary in the remaster.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from the rewarding experience of solving puzzles, the game's charming art style, and the sense of accomplishment from overcoming challenges. Players also express happiness in revisiting the game with updated visuals and music, which enhance the overall enjoyment.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement is derived from the developer's candid or humorous design choices, such as arbitrary preferences or rants about industry practices. Players also find entertainment in the game's unique mechanics, like the time-reversal feature, which defy conventional expectations.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom stems from repetitive or unengaging elements, such as the commentary system being overly verbose or the gameplay lacking depth. Players also find the music forgettable and the overall experience less stimulating than expected.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is piqued by the game's unique time-based mechanics, platforming challenges, and the inclusion of developer interviews within levels. These elements encourage players to explore the game's design and narrative more deeply.
- Contemplation (weight 0.01): Contemplation is inspired by the game's philosophical themes, such as self-blame, futile quests, and the nature of human mistakes. Players reflect on these themes and their personal relevance, leading to a deeper emotional and intellectual engagement with the game.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance arises from tedious or overly complex puzzle implementations, finicky controls, and the developer's voice during lengthy commentary sessions. Players also express frustration with verbose or over-elaborate narrative elements that detract from the experience.}