Why Braid Is The Most Important Game Ever Made

Jonathan Blow, the creator of Braid, gets it. This simple statement is much like the title Braid: it is short, simple, and represents something huge: an idea. But what exactly does Blow get? What makes Braid not only an excellent game, but something more? Why should Braid be considered the most important game released in contemporary times?

[Istanbull]

Its a great AAA game, nothing more. Its not in the league of AAAA games like Half Life 2, Metroid Prime, MGS1, Uncharted 2, SotC, REZ, Doom, Zelda OoT etc.

[gameguru]

i gotta disagree here, braid is right up there with the best of them

[zootang]

Played 2 levels and lost interest. I don't know what all the fuss was about?

[Active Reload]

I gotta give you props Istanbull for mentioning Metroid Prime--I didn't know you had it in you. But to go further along with your comment, Braid really isn't on the same scale as those games. Braid would compete more with games like Shadow Complex, Limbo...things of that nature.

[ReservoirDog316]

It was really good but is say it was more important cause it made indie games hit the mainstream consoles.

That's a pretty big step.

[The Matrix]

Having actually read the article I can't say I disagree with the person. The best thing that braid did was craft one of the greatest stories ever told anywhere...not to mention the amazing gameplay, sound etc. If call of duty is the ultimate definition of meat then Braid is the ultimate definition of art.

[GameGambits]

Most important during this generation? I don't think so. It did a lot in terms of DLC arcade games being substantial experiences and not just frivolous dink around fun.

This generation's most important game is tough to call, but it might just go to Call of Duty 4. The reason being it completely shifted the market towards this FPS phenomenon we are in, it took out a big chunk of the game industry revenue for other games, and its by and large the single most successful game to help bring in more casual gamers to the market.

The only game I could think of that is more important is probably World of Warcraft, but that is so many years old now that I don't think it passes for current gen.

[Breadisgood]

Importance is subjective though. Braid is important in the sense that it is a major step towards games being accepted as an art form. Call of Duty is important in the sense that it has set a trend in the gaming industry. It has massively affected what is popular, and caused other companies wanting to make a fps really step up their game in order to compete.

Sure you could argue that it has actually lowered the quality of other games due to them simply trying to imitate CoD's style but this would happen in any similair situation where something is hugely popular. There's always going to be people just trying to cash in.

The more succesful ones though are the ones with their own styles of gameplay (like Battlefield and Halo) but equally large production values.

When it comes to art I don't think there's many fps' that even come close to a game like Braid. Something like Bioshock would be the closest imo.

[Emilio_Estevez]

It's good, but not the best ever...C'mon

[Nawabi]

well frankly the title says "...most important game" not necessarily "the best game" :)

[Emilio_Estevez]

It does, you knew what I meant though.

[mrv321]

Surely importance means that there's influence.

Check out

-Star Control 2, it influenced some of the greatest games ever made like Mass Effect 2.
-Uncharted 2, which has and will continue to change stories in the future
-Metal Gear, was highly influencial.

Is braid good? Hell yeah. But is does it influence?

[movements]

I think Metal Gear Solid is the most important game ever made. Don't ask me why....I just think so.

[Butt0n_m4sher]

this is quite a through analysis... well done

[Lirky]

portal franchise puzzles are the type you can get confused on how to do them but at the same time progress.

Braid you cant do this so i think braid is ok but too hard.

[Dsnyder]

lol

[Louis_Guzman]

LMAO! Oh kids these days.

[DeeZee]

I don't agree that it's the most important game ever made, but my hat goes off to the author. That was really in depth and well written, N4G needs more articles like this. Instead of those silly one paragraph ones that make it to 1000 degrees.

[Breadisgood]

I don't think it's necessarily THE most important game ever, but it's definitely a very important game when it comes to establishing games as an artform.

I would consider Silent Hill 2 quite important in this respect.