XBLA Today: Braid

Welcome to this weeks edition of XBLA Today! This week we are in the second week of Xbox’s “Summer of Arcade” with the independent game Braid! The game has an interesting look. classic platforming, with a certain timing twist. Is it worth the 1200 points it takes to own it, or would it even be worth 800?

Braid has a simple classic platforming style with a cool almost painting look. It looks cool, and the sound is pretty slick too. But this is not why you check out or pick up Braid. There is a system set up where you can manipulate time to solve the puzzles of the game. Each level has a different way to manipulate time, and the goal is collect all the puzzle pieces to save the princess. It at first seems like a straight forward platform game but turns into a puzzle game as you realize the puzzles are there to solve, and you really can’t die as when you do, you just rewind it. It’s kind of hard to explain, but definatley worth trying out at least.

The other big question is whether it is worth 1200 points. As far as I can see, it could be for the right person, but I bet at 800 they would have a lot more buyers with the expectations with arcade pricing and people fearing more and more games breaking the theoretical 800 point limit. Time will tell to see how this issue works out.

Braid is definately a good and different addition to XBLA, but it may be a little overpriced. Even if not people will think it is as it is 400 above the norm. Download the demo, check it out, and let us know what you think!