Braid is the The Sophisticated Persons Platformer (Spoiler Free)
Controls are aimed at simple. The analog stick moves you around. Buttons consist of: jump, use switch, and of course time manipulation. A later level even adds in the 'ring' button that makes a pretty interesting effect as well. The RB and LB buttons also assist in time manipulation.
Each level consists of a few enemies, cannons, moving platforms, keys, doors, and puzzle pieces. The goal is to retrieve every puzzle piece by solving the platforming elements of the game. Once you have the puzzle pieces you use them to create a mural of each levels story.
The story is the equivalent of gaming poetry. Some will love it, some will hate it, and some just won't get it. Each level has an intro with books that as you pass by will tell the story. All of it is well written.
As the game plays out the story will make more sense and only once you complete the final level will it all make sense (hopefully).
If you plan on playing this game, I can not emphasize how important it is to AVOID walkthroughs like the plague. Every puzzle in the game can be solved by simple observation of the surroundings.
All puzzles in the game can be solved with the resources found between the start and ending door of each level. You won't get new abilities or skills that will change the elements, but if something has you completely stumped move on and come back later.
There were 3 that stumped me for a little bit, or seemed extremely difficult to accomplish, but once I did figure them out it will etch the game in memory as being simply brilliant.
Braid does have some replay value from the standpoint of improving how quickly you can accomplish each puzzle. There are a few speed runs for specific levels you can play as well as a complete speed run of the whole game. Each comes with its own leaderboard. There is also a weekly leaderboard for quickest game speed run.
It is also fun to play as a breath of fresh air to most game. I could find myself coming back to this game simply for the great 2D platforming elements and feel of the game.
Achievements for this game should be easy to obtain. All but one achievement can be accomplished simply by solving the puzzles of the game and finishing. The last achievement is finishing the entire game in one speed run of less than 45 minutes.
The demo of the game will give you a good taste of the graphics and a little bit of the puzzle elements, but the most interesting parts of the game will be missing. Still the demo showed me the game was more than just what the screen shots showed and give you a good hint of the detail that went into the game.
I would recommend this game only to a specific audience however. The story will be convoluted for most, but the platforming and puzzle elements are not to be missed but might annoy some people. But if any of the above seemed to perk your interests, you owe it to yourself to download and play this game.