Brothers: A tale of two sons
Developer: Starbreeze Studio
Publisher: 505 Games
Release Date: 03/07/2013
Format: Steam/PSN/Xbox Live Arcade
Downloadable titles have produced some truly inspiring indie curios that transcend conventional game design. Whilst many retail games rely on safe bets like providing hours of action and setpieces- its the PSN/XBLA games that usually provide a deeper sense of interaction between the player and the game.
Enter Brothers: A tale of two sons, a melancholic- yet stupendously crafted adventure with a lot of heart, and a shot of innovation for good measure. With elements that recall classic PS2 games like Ico, and downloadable beauties such as Journey and Limbo- Brothers has a brilliant pedigree of ideas to embrace. The end result is a truly touching experience, with cleverly designed ideas and execution.
Brothers is a minimalist tale of two brothers, who cross an impressively diverse land- so they can procure a bottle of life curing water for their ill father. The opening converges the emotional toll, as the mother of the two sons, drowns in a lake after their failed attempts at rescuing her. This is all you're given as a narrative backdrop- but it gives you the emotional depth the game aspires to.
Gameplay in Brothers is like rubbing your tummy and patting your head. You control both brothers individually using the analogue sticks. The smaller of the two brothers is controlled with the right stick, and his bigger bro with the left. Controlling them in a tandem like this is simple, though there are instances where the duel stick gyrations lead to minor confusion and one of the brothers going off track.
Interacting with the world is also put to good use. Much like movement, each brother has an individual context sensitive buttons, being the left and right triggers. With these, both brothers will interact with objects in the environment in unique ways. Whilst the smaller bro causes mischief such as throwing water on a snoozing local, your older and wiser brother displays a map to tell the residents where he and his brother need to go. These interactive components convey the light- hearted enjoyment you'll discover. There's no talking in the game, replaced with nonsensical gibberish that carefully orchestrates the whimsy of the design, and where feelings are expressed more provocatively.
Publisher: 505 Games
Release Date: 03/07/2013
Format: Steam/PSN/Xbox Live Arcade
Downloadable titles have produced some truly inspiring indie curios that transcend conventional game design. Whilst many retail games rely on safe bets like providing hours of action and setpieces- its the PSN/XBLA games that usually provide a deeper sense of interaction between the player and the game.
Enter Brothers: A tale of two sons, a melancholic- yet stupendously crafted adventure with a lot of heart, and a shot of innovation for good measure. With elements that recall classic PS2 games like Ico, and downloadable beauties such as Journey and Limbo- Brothers has a brilliant pedigree of ideas to embrace. The end result is a truly touching experience, with cleverly designed ideas and execution.
Brothers is a minimalist tale of two brothers, who cross an impressively diverse land- so they can procure a bottle of life curing water for their ill father. The opening converges the emotional toll, as the mother of the two sons, drowns in a lake after their failed attempts at rescuing her. This is all you're given as a narrative backdrop- but it gives you the emotional depth the game aspires to.
Gameplay in Brothers is like rubbing your tummy and patting your head. You control both brothers individually using the analogue sticks. The smaller of the two brothers is controlled with the right stick, and his bigger bro with the left. Controlling them in a tandem like this is simple, though there are instances where the duel stick gyrations lead to minor confusion and one of the brothers going off track.
Interacting with the world is also put to good use. Much like movement, each brother has an individual context sensitive buttons, being the left and right triggers. With these, both brothers will interact with objects in the environment in unique ways. Whilst the smaller bro causes mischief such as throwing water on a snoozing local, your older and wiser brother displays a map to tell the residents where he and his brother need to go. These interactive components convey the light- hearted enjoyment you'll discover. There's no talking in the game, replaced with nonsensical gibberish that carefully orchestrates the whimsy of the design, and where feelings are expressed more provocatively.
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Puzzles are the other part of Brothers' charm and quirkiness. Though they aren't taxing in the slightest, they provide an innovative puppetry at times- that makes these subtle challenges more delightful, instead of being chores. For instance, you have to use a sheep as a counter-weight to keep a drawbridge stable. Another challenge has you climbing a castle whilst a rope binds the two brothers together. You then have to be mindful of which brother you are controlling, as they swing from statue to statue and from cobble to cobble. You will also find occasions where the brothers have to shift around to function certain contraptions like the hang glider and rowing boat.
The visual significance of Brothers is astounding, with a vast array of colour punctuating a vibe of tranquillity and natural serenity. The landscapes you come across a truly captivating, from old villages and arctic caps, to dark, misty forests and unnerving catacombs. Monolithic frames of Medieval soldiers drape across the land at one point, with arrows jutting out of their femurs. You will also come across an encampment and a trebuchet at one point to embroil these medieval sensibilities.
The sound design is equally evocative, with symphonies accompanying tension and flow- whilst the haunting melodies chime out to create a quasi-Lord of the Rings style ambiance. With all the momentum built by the astonishing and palatial world set before you. It's too bad that it ends too soon. Three hours is all it will take for you to polish it off. But the indelible mark it leaves is unquestionable.
Brothers: A tale of two sons is a triumphant minimalist experiment. A truly engaging, artful, melancholic beauty of much resonance. It might not please the ambidextrous or those who want more game for their money, but the impact it leaves will make you cry. It's an
absorbing downloadable game. Most importantly it captures the best elements of adventure, with much joy and sorrow to be had. It's definitely one of the best downloadable games of the year.
James Davie 9/10
The visual significance of Brothers is astounding, with a vast array of colour punctuating a vibe of tranquillity and natural serenity. The landscapes you come across a truly captivating, from old villages and arctic caps, to dark, misty forests and unnerving catacombs. Monolithic frames of Medieval soldiers drape across the land at one point, with arrows jutting out of their femurs. You will also come across an encampment and a trebuchet at one point to embroil these medieval sensibilities.
The sound design is equally evocative, with symphonies accompanying tension and flow- whilst the haunting melodies chime out to create a quasi-Lord of the Rings style ambiance. With all the momentum built by the astonishing and palatial world set before you. It's too bad that it ends too soon. Three hours is all it will take for you to polish it off. But the indelible mark it leaves is unquestionable.
Brothers: A tale of two sons is a triumphant minimalist experiment. A truly engaging, artful, melancholic beauty of much resonance. It might not please the ambidextrous or those who want more game for their money, but the impact it leaves will make you cry. It's an
absorbing downloadable game. Most importantly it captures the best elements of adventure, with much joy and sorrow to be had. It's definitely one of the best downloadable games of the year.
James Davie 9/10
