Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 89 | 38 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 87 | 932 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 78 | 22 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 9 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 24 reviews sampled · 25 total reviews in window · weighted 14.2 up / 1.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (29)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Braid, Anniversary Edition is the definitive version of a terrific platformer. This classic title has been enhanced with improved graphics, along with a detailed commentary integrated into the game itself. A lot of effort has been put into building something special, from 2008 until today.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Braid remains a landmark equally for indie game development and puzzle platformers. The time control mechanics are mind-bendingly satisfying to play with and the puzzles are wickedly inventive. This Anniversary Edition is an exquisite expression of the original concept, with everything spruced up to perfection. And, even on top of that, it includes interactive creators' commentary that sets a high watermark for in-game analysis and represents a new key text for anyone interested in how games are made. In short: this package is an all-timer.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you were a fan of Braid during the Xbox Live Arcade era, the Anniversary Edition is worth a look for the commentary alone. The additional content and visual improvements only add to this remaster. As for newcomers, this updated version is a great way to experience this important piece of video game history.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Braid is undoubtedly a classic that revolutionized the indie game landscape, and it still has enough unique ideas to make it worth a playthrough for the first time today. Whether or not the Anniversary Edition is worth it, however, will largely depend on your experience with the original. For newcomers, the enhanced graphics and extra levels make this the definitive edition, and worthy of a purchase. Similarly, up-and-coming game developers will find lots of love and advice poured into the game’s comprehensive commentary system. However, for those who have experienced Braid before, unless you're itching for a revisit, there may not be enough new content here to justify double dipping. Whether it's the original or the Anniversary Edition, though, Braid is still a game that should be experienced by everyone at least once.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Braid was an iconic game for its time and revisiting it has been a treat. Say what you will about its creator, but most of the issues are not present in this package. This is still a game I think about regularly. It really defined a service and elevated indie games to a new level when it came out. Solving these puzzles still felt magical all these years later. If you have never played this title, do not skip it, even if you have it is worth revisiting. There are certain games that feel timeless, and Braid is easily one of those.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Braid, Anniversary Edition is a perfect example of how to both craft a worthy remake/remaster while also adding more to entice old players to revisit. The gameplay and puzzles still hold up almost 16 years later, while the graphical overhaul makes the game look more beautiful than ever, especially if you're playing in the highest definition possible. The collection of illustrations and commentary for every aspect of the game makes this the definitive version. If you have never tried Braid before, Anniversary Edition is the version to go with, and that also applies to those who have played the original game but wanted to get a deeper understanding of it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A classic indie game that remains as cleverly unique today as it did 16 years ago, even if none of its original flaws have been ironed out in the meantime.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Braid Anniversary Edition isn't just a celebration of the indie title that surprised the industry in 2008 - it's also the best version of an incredible platformer.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Braid Anniversary Edition is a good example of it being very hard to mess up a great thing, which Braid itself already was. Every change or addition in this remake was for the better, as the game itself was not just updated superficially, but also received new content for players old and new to experience. The original Braid still holds up well today as one of the best puzzle-platformers ever made and now Braid Anniversary Edition continues to prove that in this stellar remake.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I still think it’s not the single greatest indie of all time, but there’s no denying there’s a lot to like about Braid, especially if you decide to pick up this Anniversary edition. Having this on the Switch, with downright gorgeous visuals, a neat screen resolution, and so many additional levels, is just a no-brainer. Even if you don’t consider it to be the big daddy of the indie scene, it’s an important title, and it’s worth checking out, at the very least, for you to learn a bit more about the history of gaming, and how this little piece of software changed the world without even trying that hard.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Braid, Anniversary Edition is an essential product for fans of Jonathan Blow’s significant indie game. More importantly, it is a crucial reference point for anyone wishing to learn more about game development. Braid, as an experience, is only enhanced due to the updated visuals, animations, and sounds. What remains is still a game that time has been kind to, one that serves as an essential point in how we consume the medium today.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Games like Braid are best experienced when playing with little knowledge of gameplay and/or story. While the levels are challenging, this was one of the first games I remember feeling a true sense of accomplishment once each level was completed. It’s an inexpensive title that is worth the price of admission, and if you have played it before and may not be interested in revisiting it, I would encourage you to recommend it to newcomers so it can grow a new fanbase.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Pure Xbox
Push Square
ZTGD
Worth Playing
Metro GameCentral
GamingBolt
Multiplayer First
WayTooManyGames
Digital Chumps
Gaming Age…and 17 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Fixed crash on macOSJan 15, 2025
- Fix drifting hand cursor on macOSDec 19, 2024
- Fix for macOS 11 and 12Dec 11, 2024
- Update Notes for June 3rd.Jun 3, 2024
- Update notes for May 31st. Happy weekend!May 31, 2024
- Update notes for May 22nd.May 22, 2024
- Update notes for May 17th.May 17, 2024
- Update notes for May 16th. Happy Thursday!May 16, 2024
- Launch day update!May 14, 2024