Whenever an old game is re-edited, it’s good news. Preserving video games is something we shouldn’t take for granted, especially when the industry doesn’t always have its best interests in mind. But it’s particularly exciting when it also brings something new. Not a remake or a remaster, but the classic game with new content that sheds light on the game itself. Like the extras in movies when they come out in physical editions, something we rarely see in video games. Because that’s what Braid Anniversary Edition offers us.
Originally released in 2008 by Jonathan Blow, Braid is a puzzle platformer that allows us to manipulate time in unusual ways to rescue a princess who has been kidnapped. A deconstruction of classic fantasy stories, in addition to Super Mario itself, it was exceptionally well-received at the time, considered one of the first great indie games in history.
Now the game is set to receive a new version from Thekla. Called Braid Anniversary Edition, this edition of the game aims to offer a version as close to the original as possible while adding substantial enhancements. Among the promised features are improved sound, redrawn graphics, animations with extra frames, and the ability to switch between the old and new versions with the press of a single button. However, what has drawn the most attention is a 15-hour audio track where the game’s director, Jonathan Blow, along with various experts, discusses the game’s design and how it was developed.
Braid Anniversary Edition promises to be the best way to experience Braid today, but we still have to wait a bit to enjoy it. The game will be released on April 30, 2024, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PC, iOS, and Android, via Netflix. A golden opportunity to discover or rediscover a video game classic.
