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== Reception == {{VG Reviews |1UP =A+ (Xbox 360)<ref name="1up review">{{cite web| title = Braid XBLA Review| url =http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3169204 |accessdate = 2008-08-07|date=2008-08-06|publisher=[[1UP.com]] | first = Nick | last = Suttner }}</ref> |Edge = 9/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="edge review">{{cite web | url = http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/review-braid | title = Review: Braid | date = 2008-08-07 | accessdate = 2009-02-20 | publisher = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' }}</ref> |EuroG =10/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="eurogamer review">{{cite web| title = Braid Review | url =http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=205102 |accessdate = 2008-08-07|date=2008-08-06|publisher=[[Eurogamer]] | first = Dan | last = Whitehead }}</ref> |IGN = 8.8/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="ign review">{{cite web| title = IGN: Braid Review| url =http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/896/896371p1.html |accessdate = 2008-08-07|date=2008-08-04|publisher=[[IGN]] | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein }}</ref><br />8.8 (PC)<ref name="ign pc review">{{cite web | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/972/972212p1.html | title = Braid Review | first = Jason | last = Ocampo | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2009-04-13 | accessdate = 2009-04-14}}</ref> |TXB = 9.1/10(Xbox 360) <ref name="team xbox review">{{cite web | url = http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1548/Braid/p1/ | title = Braid Review | publisher = [[Team Xbox]] | date = 2008-08-05 | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref> |OXM = 9/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="oxm review">{{cite web | url = http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/editors-choice-gallery/braid | title = Braid | first = Cameron | last = Lewis | date = 2008-08-07 | accessdate = 2009-02-20 | publisher = ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]''}}</ref> |GSpot=9.5/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web| title = Braid for Xbox 360 Review| url =http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/braid/review.html |accessdate = 2008-08-08|date=2008-08-07|publisher=[[GameSpot]] | first = Tom | last = McShea }}</ref> |compilation = yes | |MC = 93% (Xbox 360)<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/braid | title = Braid (Xbox360: 2008) | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = 2009-02-20 }}</ref><br />90% (PC)<ref name="metacritic pc">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/braid | title = Braid (pc: 2009) | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = 2009-05-17}}</ref><br />93% (PS3)<ref name="metacritic ps3">{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/braid | title = Braid (ps3: 2009) | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = 2009-12-17}}</ref> |GR = 92% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/943284.asp | title = Braid Reviews | publisher = [[Game Rankings]] | accessdate = 2009-02-20 }}</ref><br />91% (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/955510-braid/index.html | title = Braid Reviews | publisher = [[Game Rankings]] | accessdate = 2010-07-27 }}</ref><br />92% (PS3)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/969696-braid/index.html | title = Braid Reviews | publisher = [[Game Rankings]] | accessdate = 2009-12-17 }}</ref> }} Upon its release to Xbox Live Arcade, ''Braid'' was met with very positive responses from critics, with an aggregate review score of 93% at [[Metacritic]],<ref name="metacritic"/> making it the top-rated Xbox Live Arcade game<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/09/summer-of-arcad/ | title = Microsoft: ‘Summer Of Arcade’ Very Successful | first = Earnest | last = Cavelli | publisher = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date = 2008-09-26 | accessdate = 2010-02-03 }}</ref> and the 10th highest-rated Xbox 360 game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/games/xbox360/ | title = Xbox 360 Game Reviews from Metacritic | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = 2009-02-20}}</ref> ''Braid'' was purchased by more than 55,000 people during the first week of release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://braid-game.com/news/?p=323 | title=Stats: The First Week of Braid | first = Jonathan | last = Blow | date = 2008-08-13 | accessdate = 2009-02-20 | publisher = [[Jonathan Blow]]}}</ref> According to Blow, ''Braid'' was the second-largest selling Xbox Live Arcade title in 2008<ref name="nowgamer">{{cite web | url = http://www.nowgamer.com/news/307/braid-has-been-very-profitable-for-creator | title = Braid has been "very profitable" for creator | publisher = Now Gamer | date =2009-03-18 | accessdate = 2009-04-11 | first = Christopher | last = Reynolds }}</ref> and that sales were "very profitable", making him more money than if he had been working at a high-paying job for the time it took to develop the game.<ref name="nowgamer"/> ''Braid'' has been considered a masterpiece,<ref name="msnbc">{{cite web | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26336877 | title = Indie game designer earns raves for 'Braid' | publisher = [[MSNBC]] | date = 2008-08-22 | accessdate = 2009-05-27 | first = Winda | last = Benedetti}}</ref><ref name="npr">{{cite web | url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94025221 | title = Xbox's 'Braid' A Surprise Hit, For Surprising Reasons | publisher = [[NPR]] | first = Heather | last = Chaplin | date = 2008-08-27 | accessdate = 2009-05-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172861 | title = Braid PC Listed for March Release on Impulse | first = Dustin | last = Quillen | date = 2009-02-18 | accessdate = 2009-05-27 | publisher = [[1UP.com]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/5157-Review-Braid | title = Review: Braid | publisher = The Escapist | date = 2008-08-21 | accessdate = 2009-05-27 | first = Earnest | last = Cavalli}}</ref> and was highly praised for the unique puzzles it presented. Dan Whitehead of [[Eurogamer]] noted the creative variation on time manipulation and the need to understand the non-linearity of his actions made him feel as if "years of gaming blinkers have been ripped away."<ref name="eurogamer review"/> Jason Hill of ''[[The Age]]'' stated the puzzles were "elaborate and formidable", but "impeccably designed and hugely satisfying to solve",<ref>{{cite news | first = Jason | last = Hill | date = 2008-08-21 | publisher = ''[[The Age]]'' | title = Braid }}</ref> a point reiterated by ''[[Sunday Herald Sun]]''{{'}}s Paddy Reiley.<ref>{{cite news | publisher = ''[[Sunday Herald Sun]]'' | first = Paddy | last = Reiley | date = 2008-08-17 | title = Braid New Worlds }}</ref> The connection between the puzzles and the overall presentation of the game was favorably received; Tom McShea of [[GameSpot]] stated that ''Braid'' was "the rare game that will make you rack your brain trying to solve puzzles one minute while challenging you to come to terms with its mature tale the next".<ref name="gamespot review"/> Sam Roberts, game director for the Slamdance Film Festival Guerilla Gamemaking Competition, was impressed that ''Braid'' did not "feel immature" as it "expects much" of the player as any other form of media and "doesn't short you in any respect".<ref name="npr"/> ''Braid''{{'}}s artwork and presentation were given high regards. Nick Suttner of [[1UP.com]] commented that ''Braid''{{'}}s artwork "juxtapose old-school design sensibilities with impressionist backdrops and lovingly hand-painted environments",<ref name="1up review"/> while McShea stated that the game's visuals were "eye-catching but never distracting".<ref name="gamespot review"/> ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''{{'}}s Jean Snow wrote that ''Braid''{{'}}s "beautiful symphonic melodies contribute to what is already an impressive and unique vision", and that "the soothing tunes are probably the reason you never really lose it when facing particularly tough puzzles".<ref name="wired review">{{cite web | url = http://blog.wired.com/games/2008/08/review-braid-in.html | title = Review: Braid Innovates and Satisfies | first = Jean | last = Snow | publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' | date = 2008-08-13 | accessdate =2009-02-20}}</ref> Arthouse Games' Jason Rohrer interpreted the ability to rewind time indefinitely as a commentary about traditional platform game design: the fact the player is not forced to restart the level when they die gives greater emphasis to the game's "core challenges".<ref name="ncn-preview"/> The game was primarily criticized for its short length. [[IGN]]'s Hilary Goldstein stated that the game offers "no reason to come back" once you've completed all the puzzles.<ref name="ign review"/> However, others compared ''Braid''{{'}}s short experience to similar criticisms with ''[[Portal (video game)|Portal]]'' in that its length "can be disregarded in the face of its unique approach to storytelling and expansive ideas".<ref name="1up review"/> The game's price was also seen as a negative for the game,<ref>{{cite new | publisher = ''[[Toronto Sun]]'' | title = Braid your head; Mario-like game will test your skills on the metaphysical level | first = Steve | last = Tilley | date = 2008-08-24 }}</ref> though McShea wrote that "Braid is worth every penny".<ref name="gamespot review"/> ''Edge'' also noted that while Blow had tried to integrate the story and gameplay throughout the game, this only worked well in the final world, and otherwise the story was "a little trite in its self-conscious obscurity".<ref name="edge review"/> The PC version of the game was considered to be "faithful" to the Xbox 360 version of the game, retaining the same content without adding any new features.<ref name="ign pc review"/> Reviewers commented that ''Braid'' benefited from keyboard controls.<ref name="ign pc review"/> However, as a port of the Xbox 360 version, the lack of initial support for optimizing the graphics display for one's computer, either through larger screen resolutions or turning off certain game effects, was seen as a drawback, though it is expected that patches will be released to add these options.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.atomicgamer.com/article.php?id=770&page=1 | title = Braid PC Review | first = Jeff | last = Buckland | date = 2009-04-14 | accessdate = 2009-04-14 | publisher = [[AtomicGamer]] }}</ref> Both the PlayStation 3 and Macintosh ports of the game by Hothead Games were found to be easily accessible on the system and retained all the innovation and challenge of the original Xbox Live game.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://ps3.ign.com/articles/104/1045347p1.html | title = Braid Review | first = Ryan | last= Clemens | date= 2009-11-13 | accessdate= 2010-01-17 |publisher = [[IGN]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/braid/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews | title = Braid Review | first= Tom | last = McShea | date = 2009-11-13 | accessdate= 2010-01-17 | publisher = [[Gamespot]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/braid | title = Braid | first = Susie | last = Ochs | work = [[MacLife]] | date = 2009-10-29 | accessdate = 2010-01-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.macworld.com/article/133672/2009/07/braid.html | title = Braid | first = Chris | last = Holt | year = 2009 | accessdate = 2010-01-17 | work = [[Macworld]] }}</ref> ===Awards=== In addition to winning the Independent Games Festival award in 2006 during its design, ''Braid'' was selected by [[GameSpot]] for their 2008 awards in "Best Original Downloadable Console Game",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/special-achievement/index.html?page=9|title=GameSpot's Best Games of 2008: Best Original Downloadable Console Game|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-12-25}}</ref> "Best Platformer",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/genre-awards/index.html?page=5|title=GameSpot's Best Games of 2008: Best Platformer|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-12-25}}</ref> and "Best Licensed Music",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/special-achievement/index.html?page=14|title=GameSpot's Best Games of 2008: Best Licensed Music|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=2008-12-25}}</ref> and by [[Official Xbox Magazine]] for their 2008 awards of "Xbox Live Arcade Game of the Year", "Best Soundtrack", and "Best Ending" and one of their "Indisputably Incredible Runners-ups to Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite news | title = The 2008 Official Xbox Magazine Game of the Year Awards | publisher = ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]'' #93 | date = February 2009}}</ref> ''Braid'' was awarded the "Casual Game of the Year" at the 12th Annual [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] Awards.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22406 | title = LittleBigPlanet Dominates At AIAS Awards | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2009-02-20 | accessdate = 2009-02-20 |first = David | last = Jenkins }}</ref> Braid was nominated for five Xbox Live Arcade 2008 awards,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22508 | title = Braid, Capcom Lead 2008 XBLA Award Nominees | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2009-02-27 | accessdate= 2009-05-04 | first = Leigh | last = Alexander }}</ref> winning one award in the category of "Best Innovation".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=211469 | title = GDC: Castle Crashers tops Braid in XBLA Awards | work = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date= 2009-03-24 | accessdate = 2009-05-04 | first = Andy | last = Robinson }}</ref> ''[[MacWorld]]'' included ''Braid'' in its 2009 Game Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.macworld.com/article/145343/2009/12/ghof_2009.html | title = Macworld's 2009 Game Hall of Fame | first = Peter | last = Cohen | date = 2009-12-31 | accessdate= 2010-02-03 | work = [[Macworld]] }}</ref> [[IGN]] named ''Braid'' the 8th best Xbox Live Arcade game in a September 2010 listing.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/112/1120887p1.html | title = The Top 25 Xbox Live Arcade Games | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2010-09-16 | accessdate = 2010-09-16 }}</ref> ===Legacy=== Developers have cited ''Braid'' as an influence on their game design; ''[[The Guardian]]'' considered the game as the "''[[Sex, Lies and Videotape]]'' of indie gaming, a potent symbol for the saleable potential of non-mainstream productions".<ref>{{cite | url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/jan/26/casual-gaming-indiegames | title =Back to the bedroom: how indie gaming is reviving the Britsoft spirit | work = [[The Guardian]] | date = 2010-01-27 | accessdate = 2010-02-03 | first = Keith | last = Stuart}}</ref> [[Goichi Suda]], developer for ''[[killer7]]'' and ''[[No More Heroes (video game)|No More Heroes]]'', stated that playing ''Braid'' made him want to try making a 2D title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3173747 | title = Goichi Suda, Fumito Ueda's Game Design Seminar | first = Kevin | last = Gifford | date = 2009-04-15 | accessdate = 2009-04-15 | publisher = [[1UP.com]]}}</ref> Tim will be a playable character in the upcoming ''[[Super Meat Boy]]'', a game designed by independent game developer Edmund McMillen who had previously created ''[[Gish (video game)|Gish]]'' and the original character designs for ''Braid''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2009/04/braids_tim_to_be_unlockable_in.php | title = Braid's Tim To Be Unlockable in Super Meat Boy | publisher = Game Set Watch | date = 2009-04-28 | accessdate = 2009-04-29 | first = Eric | last = Caoili}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/op-ed/5931-Indie-Queue-Meat-Boy-Gets-Supersized | title = Indie Queue: Meat Boy Gets Supersized | publisher = The Escapist | first = Nathan | last = Meunier | date= 2009-04-04 | accessdate = 2009-04-29 }}</ref> Fans of the game have created [[papercraft]] of Tim and other characters from the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/08/braids-tim-and | title= So Cute: Download Your Braid Papercraft | first = Jean | last = Snow | publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' | date = 2008-08-15 | accessdate = 2009-04-29 }}</ref>
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