The official Braid walkthrough says, 'Please do not use a walkthrough'

by Ross Miller { Aug 7th 2008 at 1:00AM }

If Braid is causing you some trouble this week, let us direct to you designer Jonathan Blow's official walkthrough for the newly-minted Xbox Live Arcade title. Sort of. Let us explain... No, there is too much. Let us sum up. In a nutshell, Blow's advice is to "deal with it."

According to the guide, "Some of the puzzles will be hard. But when you manage to solve those hard puzzles, you will feel very good about it. [emphasis theirs] The game will feel very rewarding. Don't rob yourself of that feeling by reading a walkthrough!" While we agree with the sentiment, for irony's sake, our fingers are crossed that Braid will hit Top 10 Wanted FAQs on GameFAQs.

Gallery: Braid

Tags: braid, guide, jonathan-blow, walkthrough, xbla, xbox-live-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Courtney @ Aug 7th 2008 1:06AM

That's awesome. I've been playing it for the last couple of hours and some of the puzzles are very challenging. I've found two so far that I can't do. I've been resisting the urge to go look anything up.

copa @ Aug 7th 2008 1:39AM

This game is beautiful. I decided to drop the $15 after playing the demo.

It's creative and rewarding enough that I'll stay away from the walkthroughs, but I'm still not sure if I'm "doing it right." Should I be able to get all the puzzle pieces when I find them? Or do I have to leave some, get items from other levels, and come back to get them later?

Ben! @ Aug 7th 2008 3:13AM

Copa -- sometimes you have to come back and get pieces later. I've only played the demo thus far, but there's a part (I won't give it away) involving the big puzzle that appears in one of the early levels where you can't get all of the pieces without collecting something (that appears in a later level) first.

wickedneoq @ Aug 7th 2008 6:56AM

I have this game beat, except speed runs. There are no item pickups besides keys to open doors, and puzzle pieces. Everything is achievable based on the skills the game gives you. Certain worlds have certain stipulations, and cool tricks that help you solve the puzzles.

I find the story the most intriguing part of the entire game, and it could take me weeks to analyze exactly what's going on. You could look at it so many ways, but once you complete it, you could look at it a bunch MORE ways. Sounds crazy, but it's true.

nextos @ Aug 9th 2008 2:18AM

just finished it...

This thread was extremely helpful and allowed me to complete the game, the bit about rotating the puzzle pieces to solve the world let me finish the entire game... the ending is woah... seriously... it is crazy... twisted... it is like the only game i have ever played and then ran through the ending like 5 times... when you beat it watch what is happens... it makes everything different...

I think there needs to be a thread discussing the ending... or what was actually happening in the game...

oh and in relation to this topic... faq atm would be bad... pretty much i'd was trying to get it just to try and complete one puzzle piece, however it was likely after getting that puzzle piece i wouldn't try as hard to get the other puzzles on my own... like why would you keep bashing your head on it after like 5 tries if you know in the back of your mind i can just check the faq...

i like this game as much if not more then portal after the ending...

mcdanie5 @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:43PM

Wow! What a pretentious asshole! John Blow tells us that none of his puzzles are illogical or require guessing. What a load of horseshit! These "puzzles" (especially toward the end) are contrived claptrap that require nothing but guesswork and trial-and-error. Hexic HD is a much better game with a much more engaging story. Yes, I said it.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 1:17AM

I think he just wants people to get stuck on puzzles so the game will last longer and the $15 will be a little more justified. It's kind of silly to ask your customers not to look at a FAQ, as if gamers already don't know the personal sense of accomplishment associated with figuring out games on your own without a guide.

Courtney @ Aug 7th 2008 1:44AM

I disagree. I think a player is seriously missing the point of the game by looking at a faq. As no puzzle *must* be completed to move on, it's not like your stuck. You can always come back after you are more familiar with the game.

The guy designed a puzzle game, and a very intelligent one at that. If I designed a puzzle game, I think I would prefer it if people took the time to solve my puzzles rather than just looked up a solution.

And, it's worth the $15 if you enjoy this style of game in the slightest. If it ends up being 5 hours long, I would feel like my money was well spent (even it if was shorter, I'd still feel that way).

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 3:54AM

I didn't say gamers should turn to FAQs. I agree with you that it is much more rewarding and personally fulfilling to complete a game without turning to FAQs or tips or friends. I just think it's silly to tell your customers not to use them.

E.J. @ Aug 7th 2008 6:01AM

@Saria

I'm sure it's a response to the overwhelming cries of "Can you give a walkthrough?" towards Jonathan Blow.

Kevin @ Aug 7th 2008 10:31AM

Agreed. I'm not telling you what to do with the money I gave you to make the game, don't tell me what to do with the game.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 1:17PM

I think you guys are misreading my comments. I'm not for people looking at FAQs and ruining a puzzle game. I'm just for a developer not being pretentious and telling his customers what to do. Have you even seen that "official guide?" The whole deal just insults the intelligence of the gamer who bought his game, that's all. OF COURSE the game is more rewarding if you don't spoil it with FAQs. How stupid does he think we are? And if people want to ruin the game, then they have every right to.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 1:24PM

@E.J.: I find it a tactless response. The best response would be, "I'm not releasing a walkthrough because a walkthrough will just ruin the game for you guys, since it's just a puzzle game. Just try to stay on it and you'll get it." Not a fabricated walkthrough that tries to "teach you a lesson."

Besides, you don't think all developers receive all kinds of crap and requests from people? When people ask for a sequel to a game and it's not in the works, the developer doesn't post up a big fake homepage for the sequel and on it say, "Sorry, guys, not happenin'!"

extimp7 @ Aug 7th 2008 1:18AM

I personally think it's a refreshing idea to not immediately spring to gamefaqs to find the fastest way to beat/obtain all the achievements for a change.

Those were the days back in the 80's...where a 900 number and your parents ire over the phone bill stood between you and the nintendo tip line. Made you work a little harder in my opinion.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 1:25AM

I definitely find it very unrewarding to beat a game with the (extensive) use of FAQs or strategy guides as well. I used to never use them, but I've come to find some games' experiences are actually enhanced with the use of FAQs, esp. the second run through. I also know a lot of people who will get stuck on something in a game, then wind up losing interest due to hours of frustration. In those cases, I think it's much more beneficial to turn to FAQs than let yourself get so bummed out by a puzzle that you never feel like going back to the game.

extimp7 @ Aug 7th 2008 1:40AM

This is true. There certainly is a balance to be had and it's great that the resources are out there. Ultimately it comes down to your personal discipline as a gamer and how much you want to be challenged. There are situations that I use a strategy guide from the very beginning. FFXII is one example. With a game that big, and with my gaming time more limited now than ever, I wanted to experience everything possible on the first run through. But a balance is needed to be sure.

That being said...I'm so glad that I was able to post almost the same thing twice because I thought that my first comment had not gone through. Such is life.

Bob @ Aug 7th 2008 8:44AM

Psh, in my day the only way we could get any tips was through carrier pigeon.

extimp7 @ Aug 7th 2008 1:21AM

I think it's refreshing to try and play through a game without hitting gamefaqs to find the fastest way through a game with the most achievements.

Back in the day, a 900 number and your parents ire over the phone bill stood between you and the Nintendo tip line. Forced you to work a little harder at your games.

But that's just an crotchety old man's opinion...now if you'll excuse me I can't get past this puzzle on Braid and I need to find the solution on gamefaqs.

porath @ Aug 7th 2008 1:41AM

Buttercup is marry Humperdinck in little less than half an hour. So all we have to do is get in, break up the wedding, steal the princess, make our escape--after I kill Count Rugen.

Brian @ Aug 7th 2008 1:59AM

C'mon, click the plus, people!

waynski1457 @ Aug 7th 2008 4:04AM

I hope we win.

Andrew Boruch @ Aug 7th 2008 2:08PM

damn it, I thought I was the only one to get the Princess Bride reference. It was pretty subtle.

#28 @ Aug 8th 2008 12:34AM

That was really classy.
+1

JJ Rooster @ Aug 11th 2008 9:14AM

Man I laughed upon reading this! Nice job.

tooPrime @ Aug 7th 2008 1:42AM

I'm sure Braid is pretty good, but really I think Johnathan Blow should let his game speak for itself and stop acting like a self-rightist prick. Maybe that's not the right way to phrase it but I've had enough him talking about his own game.

tooPrime @ Aug 7th 2008 1:47AM

God, I should read my crap before posting it... *self righteous

GoldenS1104 @ Aug 7th 2008 1:51AM

Well, all this stuff joystiq has been posting about him has been from the official blog, so I think he is talking as much as any other dev does (like The Behemoth's Castle Crashers dev blog for example). What's really happening is that joystiq is drawing attention to him more than they do for most other developers, so it just seems like he's going on and on and on when he's really just giving an average amount of input.

supersloth @ Aug 7th 2008 1:51AM

It's a very good game and I can understand why he would say that, but some things are frustrating and could have been cleared up in the game.

Like for example, it doesn't tell you you need to pass up sections and come back later, and it doesn't tell you how you move the puzzle pieces around effect the real world, those both made world 2 more difficult for me than they necessarily should have been.

Overall though, I really enjoyed my time with the game, and look forward to picking it up this weekend when I get paid.

Greyseal @ Aug 7th 2008 9:35AM

I think that's kind of the point... that the world is intriguing enough that when you notice strange little changes and glitches, you're inclined to experiment and research them on your own. There aren't many instructions at all. Hell, the "controls" option doesn't even mention that you can press a button to alter time. It only tells you how to run and jump.

The game is a reminder of the original SMB and Zelda games, where you're given a world and nothing else. It's not right for every game, but it suits this one perfectly.

FinalRodzilla @ Aug 7th 2008 2:07AM

This Johnathan Blow dude rocks! Gamefaqs and guides have been ruining games for a long time now. As for Braid it's a puzzle game if you use a guide to beat this game, Im sure you solve your crossword puzzle books in one day and feel proud about looking in the back for the answers! Yay Im so smart..

David @ Aug 7th 2008 2:14AM

On a game like this, I wouldn't use a walkthrough, but rather just continue playing it until I die, trying to figure out said puzzle.

On games like, say, Final Fantasy, a walkthrough is needed to get the best use of the game. The only way I got my stupid golden chocobo was through word of mouth and an extensive breeding guide.

God damn chocobos.

Jfk Aok @ Aug 7th 2008 9:41AM

Dead on dude. If the point of the game is to 'figure it out' then walkthroughs are rather dumb...unless you really a truly stuck to the point of giving up.
But a game where it isn't essentially puzzling...a "second time around walkthrough" might help you get the most bang for your buck allowing you to find all the nooks and crannies.
This game isn't a "second time around" game. It's a absolutely joyous, beautiful, smart game that you won't return to. Do it right and straight the first time for yourself.

Flakundenga @ Aug 7th 2008 2:26AM

maybe i could pass the game without a guide but that will take forever. just playing the demo there were many times i was stuck. it's creative and all but i dont like getting frustrated too much because then the game would stop being enetertaining and that's exactly the reason i play games. i like challenges but more like the portal type they require you to think but it doesnt take forever to figure out. still Braid is kind of fun but not fot 15 bucks

porath @ Aug 7th 2008 2:34AM

portal's a great game, but the reason the puzzles didn't take a long time to solve wasn't because they were much easier than braid's, it was because the player is basically hand fed everything they need to know to beat the game. braid takes more of a hands-off approach and lets you try to figure out what you can do with your ability. it did learn a lot of lessons from portal though, including all the strong visual cues used to teach players what to do. it seems like the longer you play the game the easier you will find the puzzles, so if you were frustrated by the trial version maybe there just isn't enough there to really get you into how the game works.

Jfk Aok @ Aug 7th 2008 9:47AM

To me, problem solving is the ultimate form of entertainment in terms of games. Without it, you're just pressing buttons in session until the "The End" screen shows up.
What makes a game intense is the quick problem solving needed to complete it. What makes a great puzzle game is the extent of the problem solving. Portal was good game with an amazing concept (that was taken from an indy game btw)...but the puzzles were mostly meh. Braid (similiar to lolo and fire & ice to name a couple) is a masters puzzle game. You need to play these games like you play a game of chess...and you need to learn how to enjoy the absense of over stimulus just like two people enjoy a game of chess or a game of cards. It's refreshing.

Jacksons @ Aug 7th 2008 3:13AM

If you have to be told that checking a FAQ for a puzzle game will spoil the sense of accomplishment...there's no hope for you.

Saria the Cat @ Aug 7th 2008 3:59AM

That's exactly what I'm saying. I understand his point, it's just ridiculous that he's telling people not to look at FAQs. Like he's your older wiser grandpa gamer and all us kiddies obsessed with pokemanz are wasting perfectly good gaming with our constant FAQs-mongering.

Pimliconite @ Aug 7th 2008 10:02AM

Pretty much. Now be a good girl and don't read that FAQ.

extimp7 @ Aug 7th 2008 4:53AM

Holy crap. I'm about to resend my previous double post on the topic of using game faqs. Either I'm getting too old or the alcohol has killed more brain cells than I realized. It's 5 am and I'm still up trying to collect puzzle pieces. The puzzles are absolutely brilliant IMO and there was one in particular that literally made me comment out loud how amazing it was.

I know it sounds silly to say it's "ground-breaking" or "a work of art" or whatever, but this game lives up to the hype for people who love puzzlers. If you don't then I can't recommend it. Now...back to more brain building (frying) puzzle solving.

ToRo @ Aug 7th 2008 6:18AM

I don't use guides BUT if I've been stuck in a game for more than an hour, you better believe i'm using a guide. I'm a college student and I work. Together both of those are 12 hours of my day. Monday thru thursday. If I'm not having fun in a game then I feel like if I wasted money and time.

Now, don't get me wrong I try really hard doing things on my own, but don't expect me to spend hours stuck on a puzzle.

Kizzle @ Aug 7th 2008 9:16AM

Feh. After playing the (admittedly good) demo, I'm not intuitive enough to figure them out quickly, and I'm not patient enough to stick with it until I figure them out. This would be a bad purchase for me since I'm sure I'd just use a walkthrough, so I'll pass.

Cyro @ Aug 7th 2008 10:17AM

I played the demo and I can say this game is really good. It feels so fresh its amazing. Art design is pretty cool too. The story sounds really good and mature. The puzzles are very interesting also. Overall I think the game is worth the purchase. The only down side that this game has is that its kinda of short and there is no replay value once you're done. I guess this is understandable since its a puzzle game.

PS: Using FAQ's on this game kills the whole point of it. If you are the type of person that can't wait to figure something out and looks for a FAQ, you should not buy this game.

Fenix @ Aug 7th 2008 11:48AM

Damnit I cant wait to play this game!!! So did you buy it Cyro?

Cyro @ Aug 7th 2008 12:37PM

I'm thinking about it. I want to but, I don't want to spend my points on a very short game when Bionic Commando Rearmed is right around the corner.

:P

we'll see...

kftgr @ Aug 7th 2008 4:27PM

@cyro

Since you haven't purchased the game, where did you find out how long the game was? I'm also having internal debates on whether to purchase Braid or not. I do get your feelings on the lack of replay value for this type of game. At least there are speed runs, for those interested in that type of thing
(might it be an indicator for puzzles having multiple solutions?)

Would be interesting to know how fast Jonathan himself can speed run through the entire game -- a good indicator for the absolute minimum expected playtime.

J. Kyle @ Aug 7th 2008 12:30PM

Although I agree it's more rewarding to solve puzzles for myself, I also think it's more than a little condescending and tactless to tell paying customers how to play a game.

kftgr @ Aug 7th 2008 4:19PM

Oh crap. Jonathan has a very good point.

Why? I played the demo last night and could not get a certain puzzle piece before going to bed. I intended to tackle the demo again tonight, but reading the comments here, I've found the answer (even though the commenter was being vague). It definitely is a downer to be spoiled for a game like this.

JayOfTheP_Type @ Aug 7th 2008 6:10PM

portal and braid are very similar in bending reality to reach an otherwise impossible end. braid can last 2 hours or two weeks depending on how difficult you find it. it looks stunning (remenisent(spl?) of what dreams may come) as for using a guide or faq i'm stuck on a puzzle can get 1 piece at the end of world 5 (level 4 dont get that lol) but i know when i finally crack it i'll be pleased with myself and the (G) will mean that much more. i completly agree with saria why put up an 'official guide' page and then basically say dont use one a lot of pople still score whore on xbl so they can do what they want with thier money i say

pinner458 @ Aug 7th 2008 7:33PM

Although i think this game is EXTREMELY hard at times, i still agree with the designer telling people not to look for a walkthrough, after all it is a puzzle game! so why spoil it for yourself. oh and btw.....maybe a stupid question but does it start on world 2 for everyone else aswell or is my game broke?