A whimsical, emotional adventure that explores the relationship of two brothers and the bond they so deeply share.

User Rating: 9 | Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons PS3
Let me start off by saying that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the most emotional games you'll ever play. This is truly a tearjerker, and can be quite morbid at parts. From the get-go, Brothers establishes its story with heartbreak and hardship. These brothers must save their dying father, a position the player must take upon in this engrossing adventure. The emotions run high in this one, with joyful moments full of glee and wonder, quickly followed by moments of pure despair. It is this dynamic shift of emotions that makes Brothers such a unique experience, leaving the player in awe at every corner.

Whether it be the fantastically designed environments, the haunting yet beautiful soundtrack, or the carefully crafted platforming sequences, Brothers takes the player with it in all meanings of the phrase. Nothing feels rushed or unpolished, especially when it comes down to the puzzles, which are a major part of what makes Brothers so innovative. Unlike other iterations in the puzzle / platforming genre, Brothers control scheme requires that the player take hold of both brothers at the same time. Moving big brother with the left analog stick and little brother with the right, the puzzles become all the more special as the player learns to master the controls and movements of the two brothers. Hands down, these are some of the most entertaining puzzle platforming sequences I've done in a long time, and it feels so refreshing to have something current that can pull this off.

While it does in fact take some getting used to, the controls work perfectly as you fluidly control both brothers, utilizing each other's strengths to overcome the dilemmas ahead. This smooth blend of interaction between the brothers is also what adds to the emotion, which is an outstanding feat in itself. Seeing as each brother has different strengths as mentioned, the game constantly confronts you with situations in which one brother requires the help of the other, and vice versa. For example, big brother can swim whereas little brother is afraid of water, mainly because of his mother's death at the very beginning of the game. Big brother, in a brotherly attempt to pass the obstacle, carries little brother on his back as he swims to shore. Small moments like these increase the bond between the brothers and expresses without words the love they have for one another. Another thing to note is that this game offers no feasible dialogue whatsoever. Instead, the game's characters speak in a fictional Nordic language, adding to the minimalistic feel of the game, which is another refreshing aspect that works brilliantly in the scheme of things. Regardless of the language and the lack of facial expressions, Starbreeze Games has somehow managed to convey emotion without the use of any conventions. Oddly enough, the game moves its audience even more so because of this, making them feel truly connected with these believable, relatable characters.

Without going into anymore detail about the story or the specificities of the gameplay, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a game I cannot recommend enough. Guaranteed, this game will bring you to tears and leave you in a state of mind only those who've played it would understand. A short, whimsical game that takes the story of two brothers to the hearts and minds of all who play it.

"A man, clinging to life. His two sons, desperate to cure their ailing father, are left with but one option. They must set out upon a journey to find and bring back the "Water of Life" as they come to rely on one another to survive. One must be strong where the other is weak, brave where the other is fearful, they must be... Brothers."

"This is one journey you will never forget."

9.3/10