Initial release date:Â February 28, 2024
Developer:Â Avantgarden
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Engine:Â Unreal Engine 5
Publisher:Â 505 Games
Genres: Adventure game, Puzzle, Platform game, Casual game, Adventure
Whether we like it or not, it appears that we live in the age of remakes. Having witnessed Capcom’s triumph with meticulously reimagined versions of games such as Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and, well, Resident Evil 4, game developers are eager to join the remake bandwagon and capitalize on the nostalgic appeal of these titles. New iterations of games that are only ten years old (The Last of Us Part 1), classics that fans have been clamoring for to be updated to the present day (Final Fantasy VII), and games that fall in the between (Dead Space) have all been released in the last few years alone.
Naturally, remasters—in which a game is just given a new coat of paint and otherwise left unaltered—should not be mistaken with remakes. As the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy and the most recent Tomb Raider release will confirm, these frequently have contradictory effects. One could argue that a remake is an excellent way to introduce an old game to a new audience, but it’s also a great chance to address problems with the original, enhance and develop a story, or take the game to a whole new level and transform a one-of-a-kind PS1 masterpiece into a sprawling three-game PS5 masterpiece starring a dude with a massive sword. Did we really need Isaac to speak his mind on the Ishimura? Not really, but it sure as hell helped the story come to life. Has a whole new game engine been developed to improve Leon’s exploits in Raccoon City? Indeed. Did supporters yell for it? No, but observe the enthusiastic welcome it got upon landing.
There’s something on your back, um.
Therefore, the release of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons on next-generation systems is a bit of an anomaly. It’s probably a good idea to state this up front: when the original was launched back in 2013, it was one of my all-time favorite gaming experiences. Filmmaker Josef Fares (of “Fuck the Oscars!”, It Takes Two, and A Way Out fame) directed Brothers, his first video game, and it was a hilarious endeavor. The fact that the original game can still be played thanks to backward compatibility, however, makes this remake confusing. Aside from improved graphics, not much has changed from the original. Even while the original material is still fantastic, this remaster feels like a wasted opportunity because it is dressed like a remake.
Hurray!
It is fundamentally a distinct “solo co-op” experience. After a somber opening sequence, you assume control of two brothers: Naia and his younger brother Naiee. They go on a mission to locate medication for their ailing father. One thumbstick and one trigger button are used to concurrently control each brother, requiring a level of spatial awareness that may cause your brain to melt—at least in the early going. As you follow the tutorial, you can interact with the villagers and learn how to use the control system while exploring your village. People respond differently to each brother. The driving force is the more experienced Naia, who is constantly searching for a better path and practically pointing you in the right direction. Naiee is the mischievous child that loves to stomp on rooftops, splash water in people’s faces, and give elderly people’s chairs too much of a shake.
These dungeons were constructed by someone with a lot of free time.
On the other hand, the two brothers have complimentary qualities that will help them advance on this voyage of growth and discovery. Due to her tiny stature, Naiee can fit through railings and reach areas that are out of reach. Naia is strong enough to carry heavy levers, carry his brother up cliffs, and swim across perilous water while carrying Naiee on his back. In between, you’ll run into obvious dangers like a deadly dog or group of wolves, as well as enemies who might turn out to be friends and vice versa.
The environments you explore, which range from a desolate battlefield covered with the remains of giants to breathtaking snow-capped mountaintops, have been expertly remade for the PS5. But I have mixed feelings regarding the improved character models. The brothers in the original had a charmingly cartoonish quality, and while the update does allow for more realistic face expressions, some of its appeal is lost. In several locations, the colors are also much more subdued than in the vivid Xbox 360 version.
Like the universe of Team Ico
It must be mentioned that the riddles aren’t that challenging. To advance, you must either manipulate other elements of the environment or pull levers to move platforms, or you can do both. Despite the inventive way in which the obstacles are presented—managing the enormous corpses is both gruesome and accidentally hilarious—you’ll find yourself speeding through the game. You may complete the game in three to four hours, even if you take breaks to admire the scenery at each of the thoughtfully positioned seats scattered throughout or become distracted by little side activities like assisting a white rabbit who is being shunned by his black peers.
The boys have a really strong bond.
My main complaint with this remake is that the creator, Avantgarden Games, had the chance to fully expand the world, include new locales, puzzles, and stories, but they chose not to do so. It’s just a newer, nicer version of the original, but it lacks any significant new developments. The cast of characters uses fictitious language, which some players may find bothersome, but the symphonic soundtrack, which was recorded from scratch, is fantastic. Though I personally didn’t mind, the 2013 version was subject to the same criticism. The actual source of shame is the lost chance to have a greater impact on the world. I won’t give away any of the genuinely heartbreaking sequences or the couple of exuberant punch-the-air ones. More of these would have been wonderful to see.
Look, just return here by following this hazy map. Easy.
And there’s the co-op couch. As far as it works, it’s been implemented such that two players can take turns controlling a brother. It’s far more enjoyable than you might imagine to coordinate timings when swinging across enormous chasms since there are only two inputs on the controller to consider. However, and this is a major but, anyone who has played the original game will know that there is a pivotal scene where the story and control mechanism are integrated in such a significant way that it will literally make you gasp. Alright, so I stood by what made me gasp eleven years ago, because sofa co-op just can’t duplicate that exact same moment. To allow my partner to experience the moment I’m referring about, I switched from co-op to single-player mode and had both brothers controlled by one person. However, the effect is different if you have been playing with only one brother for the entire game. Given that the opening blurb of Brothers mentions that playing alone is the best way to play and that the experience will not be what was initially intended, even the developer seems to be aware of this. That’s a great tragedy since truly cooperative gaming would have been amazing if that impact could have been duplicated.
Someone’s armbands were forgotten.
The lack of the quality of life enhancements you would anticipate from a remaster is even more infuriating. For example, why are cutscenes preceding boss fights not able to be skipped? For those that finished the game ten years ago, there’s nothing especially new to look forward to—the achievements are mostly unchanged as well. Many of the sequences in Brothers remain as memorable now as they did when they were first released in 2013, which speaks much about the film’s remarkable quality and cinematography. However, those who were hoping for more may find themselves let down by the lack of surprise. Although it’s only a pound more expensive on the PlayStation store than the original, no one was searching for a Final Fantasy VII-style remake of an independent hit, so I find myself wondering why exactly it was reproduced and how little it changed. I would gladly advise you to purchase this version if you haven’t played the original, forgo couch co-op, and play it alone the way it was intended. If, like me, you enjoyed the original, then this remake is essentially a journey down memory lane that, depending on how vivid your memories are, may either seem like a delightful return to a world full of wonder or like a somewhat pointless rerun.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 85%
Story – 90%
Aesthetics – 80%
Content – 75%
Accessibility – 80%
Value – 80%
Overall Rating – 82%
Very Good