Braid

Braid is a 2008 puzzle-platformer developed by Number None, the studio of designer Jonathan Blow. It pairs classic platforming with intricate time-manipulation mechanics wrapped in a wistful, ambiguous story about a man named Tim searching for a princess.

Each world introduces a new rule about how time behaves, from rewinding mistakes freely, to objects that ignore your reversals, to time tied to your position or running as a shadow of your past self. These layered mechanics turn simple-looking rooms into deep, satisfying brain-teasers built around collecting puzzle pieces. The painterly art, orchestral soundtrack, and reflective, cryptic narrative gave it an artistic weight that helped legitimize independent games as a serious creative medium during the early Xbox Live Arcade boom. It became one of the most influential and discussed indie titles of its era.

An anniversary edition later refreshed its visuals and added extensive developer commentary, and the game is available across modern PC and console platforms.