Braid, Anniversary Edition similar games & best alternatives

Braid, Anniversary Edition

Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Android, Xbox Series X|S, iOS • 2024

Should you play it?

Control the flow of time to solve puzzles in this new version of the indie classic, featuring fully repainted artwork, a new world of puzzles, and seriously in-depth commentary.

What works
  • Innovative and timeless puzzle design
  • Beautiful remastered visuals and music
  • Extensive and insightful developer commentary
  • Unique time manipulation mechanics
  • Emotional and philosophical narrative
Things to keep in mind
  • Some puzzles require precise timing and can be frustrating
  • Commentary interface can be cumbersome
  • Short game length with limited replay value
  • New puzzles are fewer and less impactful
  • No social or multiplayer features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Hue

  • Planet of Lana II

  • Unravel

  • Supraland

  • Teslagrad 2

  • Another Perspective

  • The Talos Principle

  • Q.U.B.E. 2

  • Jusant
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Planet of Lana II

  • Teslagrad 2

  • Another Perspective
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    The Entropy Centre
  • Competence

    See No Evil
  • Creativity

    Reminiscence

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Braid, Anniversary Edition: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Expression, Fellowship.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players have freedom to solve puzzles in multiple ways and experiment with time-rewind mechanics, indicating control over actions and decisions."

    Capsule for The Entropy Centre The Entropy Centre

    "Players have freedom to explore puzzles and use time rewind mechanics creatively; multiple solutions and player-driven experimentation."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Puzzles require skillful timing, reasoning, and coordination; some levels are challenging and demand precision."

    Capsule for See No Evil See No Evil

    "Puzzles require skillful problem solving and timing; some puzzles are challenging and require precise execution."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving and personal progress; no evidence of competitive or ranked modes."

    Capsule for Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure

    "Focus is on individual puzzle solving and personal progress; no evidence of competitive or ranked modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players often replay to explore multiple endings and achievements, though the game is short and some find replaying tedious."

    Capsule for The Complex The Complex

    "Players return to replay for commentary and new puzzles, but some find it short and not highly replayable."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative elements."

    Capsule for Whisker Squadron: Survivor Whisker Squadron: Survivor

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "The time travel mechanic and environmental storytelling show creative design; players experiment with time manipulation."

    Capsule for Reminiscence Reminiscence

    "Players experiment with time manipulation mechanics; developer commentary encourages creative thinking about design."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of exerting control over others; purely personal puzzle experience."

    Capsule for Viewfinder Viewfinder

    "No elements of exerting control over others; purely personal puzzle experience."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    3

    "Players use the game as a philosophical escape and mental exploration, often reflecting on real-life concepts through the narrative."

    Capsule for Locke(d) Locke(d)

    "Many players use the game as a thoughtful, immersive escape with emotional and philosophical themes."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and appreciation for the art and atmosphere, with no obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Return. Return.

    "Players engage out of intrinsic interest and appreciation for the art and design; no pressure or obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Game encourages experimentation with new puzzle mechanics, physics, and creative level design."

    Capsule for Portal 2 Portal 2

    "Game encourages trying new mechanics and puzzle solutions; commentary reveals design experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Players explore new puzzle areas, themes, and mechanics, with references to other games adding discovery."

    Capsule for Lab Rat Lab Rat

    "Exploration of new puzzles and hidden stars; commentary world adds meta-exploration of game design."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    -3

    "Limited player customization; focus is on narrative and interaction rather than avatar or environment personalization."

    Capsule for The Wardrobe - Even Better Edition The Wardrobe - Even Better Edition

    "Limited player customization; focus is on gameplay and story rather than avatar or environment personalization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    2

    "The game has a fictional story and setting with imaginative elements but grounded in puzzle-platformer conventions."

    Capsule for Camera Obscura Camera Obscura

    "Game uses imaginative time manipulation and abstract narrative, but grounded in puzzle platformer conventions."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; purely solo experience."

    Capsule for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

    "No social or community features; purely solo experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn game mechanics through play."

    Capsule for King's Quest™ Collection King's Quest™ Collection

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and learn new mechanics; commentary supports learning about game design."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for World of Tanks Blitz World of Tanks Blitz

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires focused attention and puzzle solving; not a casual or background game."

    Capsule for Black The Fall Black The Fall

    "Requires focused attention and active puzzle solving; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building with others; solitary experience."

    Capsule for Garten of Banban 0 Garten of Banban 0

    "No social or emotional relationship building with others; solitary experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Progression through puzzle completion, unlocking new areas and endings; some item collection involved."

    Capsule for Bad Dream: Coma Bad Dream: Coma

    "Progression through puzzle completion and collecting puzzle pieces; some new levels and stars add to progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Players find the game relaxing and immersive, though some frustration occurs during difficult puzzles."

    Capsule for Chroma Zero Chroma Zero

    "Many players find the game relaxing and immersive, though some puzzles can cause frustration."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Visual and auditory enhancements in remaster provide stimulating sensory experience with vibrant colors and music."

    Capsule for Sam & Max Save the World Sam & Max Save the World

    "Visuals and music are praised for beauty and atmosphere; remaster enhances sensory experience."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

    Capsule for Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative is abstract and symbolic, integrated with gameplay and music, providing emotional immersion."

    Capsule for Sayonara Wild Hearts Sayonara Wild Hearts

    "Narrative is abstract and thematic, with emotional depth; story is integrated with gameplay and puzzles."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning, though some solutions are unconventional or obscure."

    Capsule for Sam & Max Hit the Road Sam & Max Hit the Road

    "Puzzles require logical thinking and planning; some solutions are complex and non-obvious."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    -2

    "Game is more melancholic and contemplative than suspenseful or thrilling."

    Capsule for The Whispered World Special Edition The Whispered World Special Edition

    "Game is more contemplative and thoughtful than suspenseful or thrilling."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Good value for price with long gameplay, bonus content, and replayable puzzles."

    Capsule for New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition New York Mysteries: High Voltage Collector's Edition

    "Offers significant value through remastered visuals, new puzzles, and extensive developer commentary."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -4

    "Minimal violence; focus on puzzle solving and exploration rather than combat or destruction."

    Capsule for Monkey Island™ 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge™ Monkey Island™ 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge™

    "Minimal violence; focus on puzzle solving and exploration rather than combat or destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable puzzle environment."

    Capsule for Linelight Linelight

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable puzzle environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026