Not your average platformer
You control a little chap named Tim, in search of a Princess of mythical charm...or that's what we think the plot is in the very beginning, at least...
Gameplay is based on time manipulation. Think the new Prince Of Persia series. You have an unlimited time control ability, which allows you to turn back time, as long as you want and in various speeds. Subsequently, you cannot die when an enemy gets you, or you fall to a deadly pit, you're just forced to go back in time a bit and to safer grounds. If you are a hardcore Mario fan, this may annoy you a bit, since it reduces the difficulty level of the game to a large extent. The trick is, to regard Braid as a one-of-a-kind puzzle platformer, where the true challenge is solving certain logical puzzles based on time manipulation, not defeating enemies.
The graphics are very well designed, in a cartoony style with pastel colours. The music used is very good and fits perfectly to the game and its plot.
There are six levels (worlds), each one with its own time paradox effect you should master in order to beat it and solve the puzzle that contains. For example, in one level, walking to the right triggers time onward, while time stops when you stop or goes back if you start going left. In the next level, if you turn back time, you can see a "ghost" of your "previous self", doing what you did before the time jump, leaving you the option to perform another task at the same time, and so on...
Braid is a trully unique game and a must have. Atmospheric and deep, with great gameplay, visuals and audio, it's a little indie gem for everyone's collection.