I have talked about story driven games before (check our review of What remains of Edith Finch) and how narrative driven games sometimes might not be the choice for some hardcore gamers. But with Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, not only will you have a captivating and moving story, but also amazing and fun puzzle games.
The game was created by Starbreeze Studios and released by 505 Games. It was launched in 2013 and is accessible on a number of systems, including PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Players must simultaneously control two boys as they set out on an emotional and daring adventure to save their father thanks to the game’s original gameplay system.
This story is particularly special for me, since its themes of loss, family and love struck a chord within me. The narrative of the game follows two young brothers named Naia and Naiee who embark on a quest to save their dying father. The boys, who reside in a small town, embark on an epic journey through an incredibly beautiful fantasy world full of breathtaking environments, puzzles, and difficulties to save their father.
The boys meet a variety of people and monsters throughout the game, each with their own backstory and difficulties to conquer. Their journey takes them through various landscapes along the route, including forests, mountains, and tunnels, as they solve riddles to advance in their quest. The gameplay heavily relies on exploration, some moments of combat here and there and platforming aspects.
The controls system in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the game’s distinguishing qualities. Each brother is assigned to a different controller stick or button, allowing players to control both brothers at once. The twins can be guided through a variety of obstacles and puzzles using this unusual control method, which requires players to use both analogue sticks or buttons simultaneously. This was particularly confusing for me at the beginning, but as the story progresses, it becomes easier and almost intuitive.
Players will face a variety of difficulties and challenges as they advance through the game, the brothers must cooperate to solve these challenges, and players will alternate between the two brothers to carry out various tasks or engage with the environment. Each character has different roles, since the older brother is bigger, he takes care of the physical aspects, while the youngest brother takes the lead on reaching levers through narrow or small places.
Regarding combat, the brothers also perform differently, for example, when the elder brother needs to repel an adversary while the younger sibling ascends to a higher vantage position to launch an aerial assault. The combat components are kept quite straightforward and limited because the game’s emphasis is on exploration, puzzles, and narrative rather than combat.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is renowned for its dramatic storytelling and highly emotional plot. As mentioned before, I could relate to the story deeply and I think, although the game is really fun and the challenges entertaining, the story is where the game excels. The tale is told through the boys’ actions and interactions with their environment; there is no conversation in the game, since they speak an unintelligible language. The game’s main focus is the relationship between the two brothers, and players can see how their friendship deepens as they cooperate to overcome challenges and complete their mission.
The visual aspect is another stand out feature about the game. The gorgeous aesthetics, eerie soundtrack, and original gameplay featured in the game have all received accolades. It has been praised for its emotional impact on players and has won numerous prizes for its storytelling, including the BAFTA Games Award for Best Story.
Even though it’s a really short game, the story is so deep that I think it can rival any other forms of storytelling. In conclusion, “Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” is an original and compelling video game that depicts a touching tale of two brothers who set out on a mission to save their father. It is a remarkable and well-regarded gaming experience thanks to its cutting-edge gameplay features, stunning visuals, and engaging plot.
Good job describing the game. It sounds good 😊👍