Tucked away at the very back of the Barker Hangar at this year’s new and “improved” E3 was a small section dedicated to some upcoming indie games. From my little play time with a handful of these gems, I must say that some of them were miles more original and promising than most of the high profile games being displayed front and center on the show floor.
One of the indie titles that stood out the most was Braid, an odd (but completely engrossing) puzzle/action/platformer hybrid starring a guy in a business suit on a quest to save a princess in a wide variety of fantasy worlds. Most noticeably, the game sports some beautiful, hand-drawn 2D graphics that are displayed from a sorely missed and breathtaking Lode Runner-esque vantage point (translation: far away camera) that allows the player to see more of the game’s lush vistas.
In the game you must solve puzzles, fight beasts, and manipulate the game’s brilliant use of time (its effect on you changes in every level) to reach the goal on each side-scrolling level. And, honestly, although the game looks amazing (see what I mean in the gallery below), you really have to witness it all in motion; the animation is so smooth that each sprite takes on a life of its own.
Needless to say, I was more than excited to hear the recent news that Braid will be coming to XBLA in early 2008. With this and the awesome Rez HD and Ikaruga news, XBLA is looking better (and more refreshingly retro) each and every day.
[Via the official Xbox Web site -- thanks, GoldenDonut!]
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21 comments + 95764 views
More XBLA YES :D
XBLA is looking really good as of late!
Anyone catch the pun?
Knytt (knit) ------> Braid
I'm not laughing.
Somebody reported about this game a while ago, looks very promising.
http://www.alessonislearned.com/
That's the comic drawn by the guy that drew the graphics for this game.
I may have to buy some of that funny money again.
It sounded interesting, I had read about it a while back. If you mess up, you can rewind what you've done and then fast forward back or whatever else. What's neat about that is that there are certain things in the stages that aren't affected whatsoever by time manipulation.
That was my basic understanding of it. I'm looking forward to trying it out.
i cant wait
i love xbox
That looks fantastic!
Man, I may need to get the larger HD soon just for all the good XBLA games that are out and are coming out.
Looks awesome! Live has a about as good, if not better, of an upcoming lineup as the 360 in general.
Wow, that IS georgeous. Wish I could find some gameplay footage.
The graphics look tight... and also sweet.
No one finds the similarities to Knytt interesting? Even including the fact it has a one word title that involves the weaving of hair/string/rope? Someone help me out here, I'm not that insane am I?
Wooooooww ... :O
Very nice. I'm really impressed with how XBLA is shaping up, and I hope we see more advances for indie gaming like this in the future.
XBLA is the sun, the moon, and the stars...
Are those unhappy meatballs being launched at him?
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