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[Kandrick]

Yeah, all the arcade hits are '06 games (minus Puzzle Quest), so I wouldn't count on waiting for games to drop in price.

I did wait for Puzzle Quest price drop, i'll wait for this one as well. I have other games to play while waiting.

 

[acm2000]

Looking at the games that are considered "Arcade Hits" compared with what were some of the top selling XBLA games ... I would go with, don't hold out anymore than tomorrow when you can get one of those $15 1600 ms point cards from Target.

im in uk, 2100 points can be found for £13.97, im just not keen on downloadable games as a whole (lack of resale value, potentially not future proof etc etc), prefer something physical, so 800 is my limit

edit: plus im not a big fan of puzzlers or platformers, this game is so beautiful tho that it peaked my interest a little, finished the demo by completing world 2 with all pieces in a few minutes, which worrys me about the length of the game

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Spoiler

Is there a way to read the green books in the epilogue?

 

[Brakara]

So, anyone doing speed runs? I'm trying to beat the Challenge time in Jumpman, but I'm not able to get below 40 seconds (although I guess I could squeeze it down to 39 seconds by a better run). I wonder what I'm missing... like, is there a way to unlock both doors?

Edit: tried another path, and am now down to 38.53. Now I just need to time my jumps better to make it.

 

[GMB]

Spoiler

Is there a way to read the green books in the epilogue?

Spoiler

There are alternative texts you can read when leaving a red book open and go hide behind a rock/whateveristohidebehind in a screen, and the green books are there to make it a little bit harder to get these alternative texts... the red book closes when you open a green one. So I dont think theres any text in the green books.

 

[bycha]

Braid is the first downloadable game for consoles that made gameplay and narrative and all of it's metaphores one whole. It can be possible only as a videogame.

I think it is great achievement for the medium.

 

[Kandrick]

Braid is the first downloadable game for consoles that made gameplay and narrative and all of it's metaphores one whole. It can be possible only as a videogame.

I think it is great achievement for the medium.

:lol :lol

 

[tanod]

:lol :lol

.

 

[derder]

After 3 days of bitching, i finally bit

 

[DancingJesus]

Braid is the first downloadable game for consoles that made gameplay and narrative and all of it's metaphores one whole. It can be possible only as a videogame.

I think it is great achievement for the medium.

C'mon seriously? Go read a book.

 

[FightyF]

C'mon seriously? Go read a book.

Yeah nothing beats the gameplay of a book.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

C'mon seriously? Go read a book.

I think the final level illustrates exactly how he's right. The thematics are completely integrated into the gameplay.

 

[DancingJesus]

I understand that but I think it’s a bit too much hyperbole. I’m sure it’s great though.

 

[rollingstart]

I think the

Spoiler

final level illustrates exactly how he's right. The thematics are completely integrated into the gameplay.

Spoiler

Yeah, but

Spoiler

only that level. Rest of the game didn't really try.

Portal is still probably one of the best examples of having narrative and gameplay so closely tied together.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Yeah, but

Spoiler

only that level. Rest of the game didn't really try.

Portal is still probably one of the best examples of having narrative and gameplay so closely tied together.

How did the other levels not try? Each mechanic is intrinsically connected to the narrative described in the books that precede it.

In Portal the puzzles themselves in no way embody the current whims of Glados. They're just clever puzzles. They don't represent the state of Glados' intent. They illustrate the crumbling nature of the facility, but not her current mindset, not the way Braid does.

Each Game World represents a frame of mind and a way of looking at time and memory.

 

[Buttonbasher]

I think the final level illustrates exactly how he's right. The thematics are completely integrated into the gameplay.

World 4's a good example too. The books before the level talk of his memories of home and how they never change, and when in the level if you walk backward things return to exactly how you remember them. I'm probably reading to much into it.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

World 4's a good example too. The books before the level talk of his memories of home and how they never change, and when in the level if you walk backward things return to exactly how you remember them. I'm probably reading to much into it.

I like 5's the most, actually. It's kind of a dark and cynical way of looking at things, but it's pretty damn effectively illustrated.

 

[RiskyChris]

:lol :lol

.

Piss off guys. Video games are a medium that can do things no other can.

 

[Buttonbasher]

I like 5's the most, actually. It's kind of a dark and cynical way of looking at things, but it's pretty damn effectively illustrated.

Hadn't thought of that, but I can see it now. Makes me want to replay it thinking in these terms.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

Hadn't thought of that, but I can see it now. Makes me want to replay it thinking in these terms.

Yeah, I loved that it was like crazy superspecific but the bit in the book about

Spoiler

trying to keep his ring in his pocket instead of wearing it

really cast that World in a different light.

 

[rollingstart]

How did the other levels not try? Each mechanic is intrinsically connected to the narrative described in the books that precede it.

In Portal the puzzles themselves in no way embody the current whims of Glados. They're just clever puzzles. They don't represent the state of Glados' intent. They illustrate the crumbling nature of the facility, but not her current mindset, not the way Braid does.

Each Game World represents a frame of mind and a way of looking at time and memory.

I don't want to go spoiling Portal here, or even talk about it at length, because after all it is a Braid thread and I just wanted to make a quick comparison, but I will just stick to what I said that that it is one of the finest ideas of interweaving narrative and gameplay together.

As for Braid, I'm not saying that it doesn't do all that, but the concious effort to put the narrative (which I thought people kept saying that it doesn't have a narrative in the traditional sense, but) into the gameplay. And all that is symbolization, to understand underlying narrative behind all it, you are forced to read all the books, which takes you out of the core gameplay. I'm not saying it is a bad game at all, or even the story is bad, I'm just saying the way that it is presented, at least in a traditional sense, is quite poor

Spoiler

outside the last level.

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

I don't want to go spoiling Portal here, or even talk about it at length, because after all it is a Braid thread and I just wanted to make a quick comparison, but I will just stick to what I said that that it is one of the finest ideas of interweaving narrative and gameplay together.

As for Braid, I'm not saying that it doesn't do all that, but the concious effort to put the narrative (which I thought people kept saying that it doesn't have a narrative in the traditional sense, but) into the gameplay. And all that is symbolization, to understand underlying narrative behind all it, you are forced to read all the books, which takes you out of the core gameplay. I'm not saying it is a bad game at all, or even the story is bad, I'm just saying the way that it is presented, at least in a traditional sense, is quite poor

Spoiler

outside the last level.

As I was just discussing about World 5, I really have to disagree with you. The books are indeed part of the core game experience, just as Glados' dialogue is part of the core Portal experience.

 

[AndresON777]

Best 15 dollars I've ever spent.

 

[rollingstart]

As I was just discussing about World 5, I really have to disagree with you. The books are indeed part of the core game experience, just as Glados' dialogue is part of the core Portal experience.

Yes, but the books aren't there during the core gameplay. You stop and read them to understand it better, and I would even recommend reading them, but it isn't integrated with the core puzzle/platforming gameplay.

Basically, what is happening here is that I'm arguing that for a traditional narrative, it isn't a great case of it. However, a lot of what it does in terms of symbolization and all that is great. I acknowledge that completely.

 

[Alec]

Yes, but the books aren't there during the core gameplay. You stop and read them to understand it better, and I would even recommend reading them, but it isn't integrated with the core puzzle/platforming gameplay.

Basically, what is happening here is that I'm arguing that for a traditional narrative, it isn't a great case of it. However, a lot of what it does in terms of symbolization and all that is great. I acknowledge that completely.

I could mute the sound in Portal but still get through the game just fine.

They're the same.

 

[Gizmo_Monkey]

I didnt get the ending in the epilogue at all. Anyone care to explain?

 

[The Hermit]

Damn ,I never though the first game that makes me fell bad that I don´t have a 360 would be a xbla game...

Is this MS exclusive?

EDIT: I just read in the title it´s for PC too... when is the release date?

 

[RiskyChris]

Yes, but the books aren't there during the core gameplay. You stop and read them to understand it better, and I would even recommend reading them, but it isn't integrated with the core puzzle/platforming gameplay.

Basically, what is happening here is that I'm arguing that for a traditional narrative, it isn't a great case of it. However, a lot of what it does in terms of symbolization and all that is great. I acknowledge that completely.

Spoiler

The entire game is DIRECTLY tied to the storyline. Just because you can ignore it and still play the game doesn't make it any less significant. Play the ending again.

 

[Ptaaty]

so I loaded up my account with $25 in points and now I have to figure out what to to do with the other $10. Maybe geowars 2, pacman, or mutant storm reloaded.

I will tell you right now GeoWars 2 is a fucking accomplishment. Buy it. PacmanCE is great as well, but GW2 is your must buy on that list.

 

[rollingstart]

I could mute the sound in Portal but still get through the game just fine.

They're the same.

Portal has subtitles.

Spoiler

The entire game is DIRECTLY tied to the storyline. Just because you can ignore it and still play the game doesn't make it any less significant. Play the ending again.

Spoiler

This doesn't really have to do with what I am really trying to argue. And I have played the ending a few times trying to see if I could speed run it and get through without dying or rewinding.

 

[keanerie]

The final level

Spoiler

Braid, I mean

played out exactly the way I was expecting it to.

Color me disappointed.

 

[GhaleonEB]

As I was just discussing about World 5, I really have to disagree with you. The books are indeed part of the core game experience, just as Glados' dialogue is part of the core Portal experience.

And every level is a reflection on the emotional thread of the game, set up by the books; 5 is just an example. It was one of the things I found most remarkable about the game.

 

[keanerie]

The final level

Spoiler

Braid, I mean

played out exactly the way I was expecting it to.

Color me disappointed.

okay maybe not exactly. it was actually pretty amazing, i just wish i hadn't basically been imagining what happened the entire time i was playing up to that point.

 

[FrankT]

Damn ,I never though the first game that makes me fell bad that I don´t have a 360 would be a xbla game...

Is this MS exclusive?

EDIT: I just read in the title it´s for PC too... when is the release date?

By year end per the creator.

 

[Spirit of Jazz]

Portal has subtitles.

Which you can't read whilst puzzling as you'd be concentrating on something else Besides Portal has holes in it's narrative unlike Braid

Spoiler

namely a super intelligent A.I. offering you a slow, drawn out death when you're carrying the only item in the world which would easily get you out of the situation. I mean you were just fully trained to use it.

 

[tanod]

I will tell you right now GeoWars 2 is a fucking accomplishment. Buy it. PacmanCE is great as well, but GW2 is your must buy on that list.

After playing SSD HD quite a bit and only having tried the original Geometry Wars, I wasn't impressed with it at all. GeoWars 2 seems a lot better but I'm still not sure if I need another dual stick shooter. I loved the variety of Mutant Storm and there are some quirks about the core GeoWars gameplay that really turn me off.

 

[DancingJesus]

After playing SSD HD quite a bit and only having tried the original Geometry Wars, I wasn't impressed with it at all. GeoWars 2 seems a lot better but I'm still not sure if I need another dual stick shooter. I loved the variety of Mutant Storm and there are some quirks about the core GeoWars gameplay that really turn me off.

No. The trial isn't a good representation because it's just one of the 6 new game modes. I think if you tried Pacifism it would change your mind. But back to Braid!

 

[GhaleonEB]

Over 42,000 on the leaderboards, BTW. Even knocking off a few thousand for promo copies and second profiles, it's moved about 10,000 since Blow's sales post.

 

[bycha]

C'mon seriously? Go read a book.

When I want to read a book I will read a book.

When I play videogame I want it to be thoughtful like Braid, because this leads to absolutely different experience -- essentially I want developers to NOT makes games like products in the factory with different parts and "features". Like here we have gameplay and here we have this new fancy shaders and there is some music during gunfights etc.

I DO NOT want narrative in videogames to stay like in porn movies forever -- this is what David Cage said and this is true to 99% even of the best games.

I mean I'm OKAY with that, and if gameplay is great i will play them and enjoy them, but COMON videogames are like 40 years old it is TIME to grow and evolve. Look at the movies -- what they achieved in 40 years.

Best games i played this century -- Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Okami, Portal and now Braid.

All of them provoke thought through gameplay -- this is what makes them special. And i find it amazing that the last one was designed and coded by ONLY one extremely talented man. Actually, Braid is better thought-out, integrated and better designed than SotC or Okami.


Now about narrative -- yeah, you read books then you play a new world. It is not the best example of integration, but at least Braid's gameplay ILLUSTRATES narrative, this will do for now.

Over 42,000 on the leaderboards, BTW. Even knocking off a few thousand for promo copies and second profiles, it's moved about 10,000 since Blow's sales post.

I think it is safe to say that Braid will be more than profitable. Game's quality, demo, press and word of a mouth will be more than enough. Downloadable games sell for a long time.

 

[FrankT]

Over 42,000 on the leaderboards, BTW. Even knocking off a few thousand for promo copies and second profiles, it's moved about 10,000 since Blow's sales post.

Thanks for the update. That would put at $630,000 gross sales in 5 days. $1,000,000 should be attainable in not too long at this rate, and one would think it should be profitable by that point.

 

[DancingJesus]

Thanks for the update. That would put at $630,000 gross sales in 5 days. $1,000,000 should be attainable in not too long at this rate, and one would think it should be profitable by that point.

I'm curious to know their total development costs.

Edit: Just read the Braid blog.. jeez that guy has an ego.

 

[keanerie]

Best games i played this century -- Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Okami, Portal and now Braid.

Still a lot of century left to go, bud

 

[Chinner]

I'm curious to know their total development costs.

Edit: Just read the Braid blog.. jeez that guy has an ego.

Hes been working on this game for a few years, and so far its been well recieved. I think hes entitled to it.

Also, in the comments section he said that GTA IV sold 400 times as much Braid did on its first day, and GTA sold about 3.6 mill right? Someone do the math!

 

[Kryptonic]

I just finished the game. Simply amazing. Well worth the $15.

Now to try out a speed run.

 

[GenericPseudonym]

Hes been working on this game for a few years, and so far its been well recieved. I think hes entitled to it.

Also, in the comments section he said that GTA IV sold 400 times as much Braid did on its first day, and GTA sold about 3.6 mill right? Someone do the math!

9,000 or $135,000.

 

[tanod]

It's news to me but apparently on my first playthrough last night getting all the puzzle pieces, I also happened to get all the

Spoiler

stars

. Do they have any meaning or how do you actually get them? I don't remember getting them.

What's with the obsession of sales revenue for the game? Do people do this for every arcade release? :\ I find it kind of annoying.

 

[keanerie]

Tim = Time, mayhaps?!?!

just foolin...after some meditation and reading the speculation the story is pretty okay.

i have to agree with drohne though - the narrative itself aside, the writing is pretty Fiction 1...

 

[DancingJesus]

It's news to me but apparently on my first playthrough last night getting all the puzzle pieces, I also happened to get all the

Spoiler

stars

. Do they have any meaning or how do you actually get them? I don't remember getting them.

What's with the obsession of sales revenue for the game? Do people do this for every arcade release? :\ I find it kind of annoying.

People like to see indepent developed games succeed. So everyone is tracking the progress of the sales.

Plus the higher the sales the more likely we are to get similar games like this.

 

[tanod]

After beating it and checking the thread last night, I didn't pick up the story detail that Tim

Spoiler

was a drunk

until just now. I just realized

Spoiler

what it shows him doing

in all the pictures. I'm gonna go through all the levels again this time with 1 first and try the time attacks and see how I do.

 

[GhaleonEB]

What's with the obsession of sales revenue for the game? Do people do this for every arcade release? :\ I find it kind of annoying.

NPD, PAL sales, box office tracking. Regular, multi-hundred post threads about sales. It's a topic of discussion with all games, and other industries, on GAF.

Here we have a critically acclaimed game that many of us have found to be exceptional, which was made by essentially two people. It's a significant event for XBLA and small team developers in general that the game is getting this kind of praise, and despite being priced higher than most XBLA games is selling well.

It is very relevant to talk about how it is doing.