An excellent example of the form, Braid is a 2-D Puzzle Platformer.  The object of the game is to collect puzzle pieces hidden behind traps and puzzles and assemble them on a board. Once each board for each level is complete, the last sequence is unlocked which ties everything together. The whole game except for the last sequence can be traversed in about 20 minutes, but that’s pointless. The real fun of the game is figuring out how to get those puzzle pieces.

I won’t spoil anything for you, but each world has its own unique twist on how time behaves or can be manipulated, and operating within those restrictions and liberties is key to progressing through the game.

The underlying story is also engaging on a level rarely seen in games these days or any day for that matter. Again, I won’t spoil anything for you, but the end ties it up pretty well, and re-reading some sections again sheds light on holes in others. It is very, very good.

A great thing about Braid, that has nothing to do with the game itself really, is it has rekindled my wanting work on my own games. Sure I’ve sort of been working on general designs, but knowing that an independent game can make it gives me renewed vigor! I love it.