Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Main game
3.89 average rating based on 2519 ratings
- Developers
- Starbreeze Studios
- Publishers
- 505 Games
- Platforms
- Android, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows Phone, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS
- Genres
- Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
- Themes
- Action, Drama, Fantasy, Stealth
- Steam
- View on Steam
Release Dates
User Stats
How Long Is Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons?
Related Content
Wonderful Journey
This review is for the PlayStation 4 version
I loved this game, the presentation is excellent, the fantasy world that you explore feels like a true fairytale, the creatures that you encounter are wonderful, the gameplay is simple but enjoyable and rarely repetitive, the score is lovely and the ending is very impactful.
I hated the fictional language.
I have no problem with made-up languages, they have their place, and to be fair i think this game might have been a good place for a fictional language, as long as the execution is done correctly.
I am aware that it is based on Lebanese Arabic and I'm aware of the budget constraints, but the entire language in the game is maybe 30 words, all of them made up of 1 or 2 syllables, with the rare exception of a few words of 3 syllables, and they all sound the same.
To me, as a person who happens to speak multiple languages, the whole thing sounded very very moronic, like tarzan speaking to jane, but worse, every time a human would open their mouth i would cringe.
That's my only gripe with the game, i definitely recommend it, 4.5 stars!
9+/10
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
Moreseo than any other game in recent memory, Brothers explores its themes primarily through mechanical gameplay. My own development as a player as I came to grips with Brothers' clunky two-characters-at-once control scheme is elegantly mirrored by the brother's experience of learning to work together and trust one another. As my own coordination as a player improved, so too did the brothers' relationship. Without spoiling it here, this effect reaches an amazing, poignant crescendo at the story's climax, a moment that's evocative in a way that only a video game could be.
Level design towards the end of the game is off-the-charts good. The battlefield of the giants is one of the coolest areas I've explored in years.
Only criticism is that the game feels a touch under-developed. Things hit their stride around the final third of the game when the pace of exploration really picks up, and it would have been nice to get a couple more hours of game to round out the experience. I would have appreciated a little more development between the brothers in things like their optional contextual interactions with various objects in the environment. Still though, after the first two thirds of the game …
Moreseo than any other game in recent memory, Brothers explores its themes primarily through mechanical gameplay. My own development as a player as I came to grips with Brothers' clunky two-characters-at-once control scheme is elegantly mirrored by the brother's experience of learning to work together and trust one another. As my own coordination as a player improved, so too did the brothers' relationship. Without spoiling it here, this effect reaches an amazing, poignant crescendo at the story's climax, a moment that's evocative in a way that only a video game could be.
Level design towards the end of the game is off-the-charts good. The battlefield of the giants is one of the coolest areas I've explored in years.
Only criticism is that the game feels a touch under-developed. Things hit their stride around the final third of the game when the pace of exploration really picks up, and it would have been nice to get a couple more hours of game to round out the experience. I would have appreciated a little more development between the brothers in things like their optional contextual interactions with various objects in the environment. Still though, after the first two thirds of the game were confined essentially one large area a piece, the rapid succession of new zones towards the end of game seem to imply a longer, more arduous journey for the brothers than playtime alone might suggest, which is neat.
killerstar's review of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
A really good game that combines perfectly history, meaning and gameplay. Controlling both brothers sound hard, but most of the time you can think of them as a single entity since when they are close together they both need to move in the same direction. Some interactions were clever and made me move them at the same time, but for the most part, you do one thing with the one, and then another thing with the other. From a gameplay perspective it's the safest --and better-- way of doing, since the frustration of hard puzzles would've tainted the incredible atmosphere and the emotions of the game.
Jasyla's review of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
At first, the controls and nonsense language in this game drove me crazy. However, I appreciated it more as I played further. It was a beautiful game, with great atmosphere.
At the end, after (spoilers) happened, I wasn't as affected as I could have been. I think reading about how sad this game was pretty much gave away what was going to happen. Though the actual event didn't get to me, the change in the control scheme afterward was quite ingenious.
SuperFieroStatus's review of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Heard some glaring reviews from someone, and having the name Starbreeze attached, it was an easy sell for me. Unfortunately, the game didn't live up to my expectations. I never found the controls intuitive or interesting, I never found the puzzles interesting or challenging (they were barely puzzles) and while I liked the general setting (some Scandinavian folklore) the story didn't grab me. At the end some kind of sad thing happens. I really didn't care. The game is competent, and has some charm, but aside from its setting and nice music, I didn't love it.
Rip
This review is for the PC (Microsoft Windows) version
Spidussy got the big bro acting unwise, we truly live a society 😔
xosbunto's review of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
eu joguei esse tem muitos anos e até que o grande acontecimento desse jogo me pegou na epoca de alguma forma, bonitinho (ou não?)
Beautiful game.
Awesome graphics and lighting with incredible attention to details. All along the game you will see benches on which you can sit an simply admire landscapes and the genius of artistic direction. These moments oozes of peaceful serenity. Scenario is emotional, touching and feels authentic even if it takes place in an imaginary world.
Characters are attractive and brilliantly developed. Each has his own personality and skills. The feeling of leaving family to face a perilous journey is omnipresent. Gameplay is truly innovative by including the possibility to play both brothers at the same time. The fact that they complete each other is and feels amazing. Controls were a bit confusing at first. The ending is truly breathtaking. Sound effects and atmosphere are gorgeous. Going from a certain ambiance to another is really cool and is perfectly made. It's short yet visually enchanting, interactively clever and emotionally heartbreaking.
Short, emotional story
This review is for the Xbox 360 Games Store version
It's a short story about two brothers that must cooperate to find a cure for their father's illness. The story is rich in characters, sometimes funny, advances quickly and finishes abruptly. This is one of the few games that literally stroke a nerve on me.
You play with both brothers at the same time, which is a weird mechanic with a controller but at least is different. The novelty felt nice in that sense.
This is one of those games with the "sentimental" tag attached on it. I think if you evaluate it for graphics, gameplay, puzzle complexity or length you are going to be disappointed. The story has to catch up with your feelings.
You're My Bro, Bro
This review is for the PlayStation 3 version
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, like director Josef Fares's other games, is a short game with an overflowing heart centering around a bond of brotherhood. By utilizing a unique control scheme which places the player in control of both brothers simultaneously, that bond is reinforced as the game's central mechanic. It's not surprising that the player will become endeared to these kids and the way that the game teases those emotions out of you is insidious yet compelling. This is one that is likely to make you cry... especially if you've ever had a sibling that you were obligated to protect. Fares is a game creator that delights in unconventional approaches to multiplayer in games, as is evidenced by the insane co-op premise of two people holding the same controller. I respect it though!
schro433's review of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
I just was just bored and not all that interested. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Played on PC
Brothers, a nice game to quickly finish.
The game was good. Puzzles a little too easy though and even at the end I wasn't great with the controls. Music and visuals were awesome. I 'll probably be listening to the soundtrack later on, since it was really good. Story was very predictable, and bland. However the great ending and the impact it had on the gameplay and vice versa were amazing.
I will recommend the game, since it was a fast short game, which was good since it didn't overstay it's welcome.
A fairytale experience
A short, but very interesting game with a unique gameplay and a lovely setting.
Brothers tell a tale of two brothers in quest to find cure for their ill-struck father. They will have to travel through a wonderful, fairy tale land. On their way they'll meet a bunch of fantastic creatures and will visit really well designed places.
Gamplay focuses on using twin sticks so it's preferable to use controller to play it. You control both brothers at the same time to progress in your journey. The puzzles are well designed and simply make sense. Using both characters at the same time makes the game experience unique and fun. Really enjoyed this.
The location design is top notch. I used to stop for a while to just enjoy the visuals. The scale is well presented. There are sights that just leave you in awe.
The story is well put together as well. Really emotional and heart-warming.
The game might be a bit short but feels complete and it's a well spent couple of hours. Really worth picking up.
A beautiful stab in the heart
Visually and emotionally this game was stunning. I felt like I didn't have as much control to go where I would like to at times, but over all this was a good game with some very heart-wrenching stuff.
Great game! The visuals were beautiful. The puzzles were a bit too easy, but enjoyable. The story was sad.
Historia: 3⭐
Jugabilidad: 1⭐
No se hace pesado: 2⭐
I finally got a working gamepad and almost got to chapter 3, but a damn game breaking glitch ruined my run and now I have to start all over again.
I really hope this game is worth all of this at the end.
Is there no way to play this with a controller on PC? Controlling two characters with a keyboard it taking to much on my poor old brain.
Reminds me that I have no siblings and now Im sad again. 9/10
This is free in the Epic store this week:
https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons
Next week we get Cris Tales.
TLDR: Don't play, buggy.
This could be a quirky, simple indie puzzle-platformer if it was not riddled with bugs. Near the end of the second chapter I hit a glitch that left me with no option but to restart the entire chapter. Same thing early in the third chapter. Maybe if the game were action-packed it would not be so bad, but with essentially no action it is not worth it.
That said, if you have a tolerance for bugs and a willingness to restart chapters over again just to complete a simple puzzle, I actually enjoyed the game until giving up as too frustratingly buggy.
A simple, beautiful game it is.
But a terrible port. :)
Edit: PC Port
I picked up the Brothers game based on its good online reviews, expecting it to be a few hours of good fun. It turned out to be way more than that to my pleasant surprise. Here’s a brief overview of the game’s narrative: The game starts with one of the brothers kneeling head down in front of the grave of his mother. It’s a peaceful and serene scene under a tree overlooking the sea. He is interrupted by his brother holding their sick father. It turns out that the only way to cure the father is to go to a remote place for some healing water. This is all communicated through an obscure language (unintelligible), and the communication is clear since the messages and steps the player needs to take are relatively simple and explained through characters’ gestures (and in the nuances of the uttered sounds). According to an interview with the game’s creator and director, Joseph Fares (his first game), the language is strongly inspired by Arabic (not surprising since he was born in Lebanon). I think there was even a whole Arabic word that was used at the beginning, when the older brother is calling his younger brother …
I picked up the Brothers game based on its good online reviews, expecting it to be a few hours of good fun. It turned out to be way more than that to my pleasant surprise. Here’s a brief overview of the game’s narrative: The game starts with one of the brothers kneeling head down in front of the grave of his mother. It’s a peaceful and serene scene under a tree overlooking the sea. He is interrupted by his brother holding their sick father. It turns out that the only way to cure the father is to go to a remote place for some healing water. This is all communicated through an obscure language (unintelligible), and the communication is clear since the messages and steps the player needs to take are relatively simple and explained through characters’ gestures (and in the nuances of the uttered sounds). According to an interview with the game’s creator and director, Joseph Fares (his first game), the language is strongly inspired by Arabic (not surprising since he was born in Lebanon). I think there was even a whole Arabic word that was used at the beginning, when the older brother is calling his younger brother Nayee to come, and he says “Nayee, ta3a”. “Ta3a” means come in Lebanese slang (and it is “ta3al” in proper Arabic).
For more, I had posted my impressions here: https://madfad.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-impressions/
A really good game that combines perfectly history, meaning and gameplay. Controlling both brothers sound hard, but most of the time you can think of them as a single entity since when they are close together they both need to move in the same direction. Some interactions were clever and made me move them at the same time, but for the most part, you do one thing with the one, and then another thing with the other. From a gameplay perspective it's the safest --and better-- way of doing, since the frustration of hard puzzles would've tainted the incredible atmosphere and the emotions of the game.
This is a really short, really interesting title that will hit you right in the feels. Pick it up and give it a playthrough; you won't regret it. I don't want to say any more because I don't want to spoil the experience; just know that it's a good one.
Pulled this out of my back catalogue and played it today. What a damn fine game this is. I started of very sceptical but it doesn't take long for you to be completely sucked into the world. I think it's another great example of how storytelling and gaming can co-exist, but with much more of an emphasis on the storytelling. ...and yes, I was a bit emotionally beat up by the end.
Such a pretty game. I sat down today and played this from beginning to end. I find it so easy to get caught up in its world - it's so thoughtful and beautifully constructed, with so many interesting little details. The suicidal man with his music box, sitting in the dirt weeping, defeated. It's horrifying yet very beautiful. Clambering through the wartorn land of defeated giants is one of my favorite moments in videogames. Not to mention how the ending uses your understanding of the control scheme to create a real sense of loss and pathos. I really can't praise this game highly enough. I can't believe I waited such a long time to replay it.