On a surface level, the story of Brothers may seem somewhat straightforward and quite simple, but it is Avantgarden Studio’s masterful execution that makes A Tale of Two Sons Remake a worthy modern revamping of one of the most impactful experiences in the world of video games.
It does take a little getting used to because of how unique it is from anything else in the industry, but once that is overcome, the game becomes an emotionally epic journey that will definitely stick with the player for years to come.
This is a story that everyone should undergo at least once in their lifetime, and due to the title’s upgraded graphics and enhanced mechanics, there has never been a better time or way to experience it.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on February 28, 2024.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake Is a Storytelling Masterpiece
For those who did not play the original 2013 title and are unaware of what Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is about, it revolves around two brothers (as the title suggests) trying to find a cure for their extremely ill father. That may sound like something that has been told countless times in different forms of media, but it is the way Avantgarden Studio presents the story that sets the game apart from other storytelling mediums.
As the dual protagonists Naia and Naiee head on their quest to save their dying parent, their journey is riddled with various trials and tribulations that one would definitely not see coming, which is why it is best to press start without knowing anything else about the plot.
Perhaps the most intriguing and honestly mind-blowing aspect of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is that it does not rely on any sort of proper dialogue or spoken instructions for the player to understand what is going on.
The game showcases its narrative with mere gestures and human emotions, which just goes to show how one does not even need to know a certain language to get the message across without losing any of the important information, adding a highly impressive layer to a rather familiar story.
It may seem a bit jarring during the first couple of sequences, but it quickly starts growing on the player because of the level of immersion that the title manages to achieve.
The World of Brothers Remake Is Rich With Various Minor Narratives
Although the core plot in A Tale of Two Sons Remake mainly focuses on the dual protagonists’ journey, the world surrounding them has an astounding amount of detail put into it, as each chapter and segment has numerous minor stories sprinkled in.
Whether it is freeing a bird from its cage or saving a fellow human from death, these additional elements make the game feel even more immersive than it already is, with some of the side interactions actually coming back full circle as the narrative progresses.
Avantgarden Studio’s title also masterfully utilizes subtlety to keep dropping hints that foreshadow events that would take place in the near future, and once one realizes it, it results in storytelling at its absolute best, regardless of the medium.
These aspects in Brothers Remake add a sense of richness to the world, as it may sometimes feel like what an individual is going through is the center of the universe, but there are always bigger problems and scenarios taking place if one just takes a look around or has a simple conversation with a stranger.
The setting also gets extraordinarily grand at some points, through which the game teases the player with massive implications without ever losing its main focus on the brothers’ quest.
Perhaps unexpected for a title like this, but there are enough twists and turns throughout to take this tale from basic to emotional to outright epic, as the narrative only gets better by absorbing the player and never letting go until the end credits start rolling.
Technically, A Tale of Two Sons Remake Is Amazing, at Least Most of the Time
Just as a revamp of a decade-old title should do, Brothers Remake remains faithful to the original story but provides it with enough graphical upgrades to make it more accessible for modern audiences. Where the game looks absolutely gorgeous most of the time, there are a few moments, especially in the beginning, where the graphics are not nearly as great as the rest of the title.
The lighting becomes a bit off at those points, and the rendering also takes a huge step back, but fortunately, it does not hinder the overall experience all that much as the later portions do not face this problem.
A definite highlight of A Tale of Two Sons Remake is the outstanding soundtrack that accompanies it, as the addition of the live orchestra rivals the original music of massive AAA titles like God of War Ragnarok. Combined with the visual finesse of astounding landscapes, the sound design is undoubtedly one of the standout technical elements in the game, making the emotional moments hit even harder than they would have on their own.
However, during a few cutscenes, there are some issues with the dialogue lip-syncing, which are a little awkward to witness but are somewhat forgivable as the title quickly brushes past them.
Brothers Remake’s Gameplay Doesn’t Reinvent Anything, but It Really Doesn’t Need to
While the gameplay elements in Brothers Remake don’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, their natural incorporation into the narrative is masterfully handled, which makes them feel seamlessly interwoven so that they never feel forced or slow things down. The locations that the protagonists have to go through to get to their destination are absolutely breathtaking, and they actually end up aiding the various puzzles by making them more interesting and meaningful.
There are also a few boss fights in the game, which may feel a bit generic and simple, but they work in terms of the story that Avantgarden Studio is trying to showcase, with each battle having distinct straightforward aspects that keep the momentum going, although there was a game-breaking glitch during an earlier encounter.
A Tale of Two Sons Remake is one of those games that ends up providing unique experiences in its single-player and local co-op modes. In the former, the player has to control both protagonists simultaneously, which takes some getting used to but results in an unexpectedly impactful experience by the end.
On the other hand, in the latter, each player controls one brother, and even that gives an entirely different emotional impact as the game progresses, which is something not many other titles are able to accomplish this flawlessly.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake: Final Thoughts
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake solidifies the fact that video games are truly one of the most impactful storytelling mediums, and at not even a quarter of the length of major AAA titles, Avantgarden Studio manages to impressively evoke a wide array of emotions. Calling it a simple game would not do justice to it, as it is more of an immersive experience that should not be missed by anyone.
For those who have already witnessed this story more than a decade ago, it is a stunning revamping of the modern classic tale and the best way to embark on this journey once again.
But for those who haven’t been acquainted with this world before, it is an emotional rollercoaster that will make the player sad at some moments, cheer at other epic ones, and end up with an empty but extremely satisfied feeling as the credits roll. It may be short in length, but it’s outstandingly complete and perfectly utilizes its resources to recreate one of the greatest stories ever told in gaming.
With unexpected twists, turns, and dark themes throughout its narrative, along with a wonderful soundtrack and visuals, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake embraces the “show, don’t tell” principle, and in doing so, it results in an intriguingly memorable time that will definitely stick in one’s mind for yet another decade.
9/10
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake was played on PlayStation 5 and reviewed on a code supplied by Diva Agency.
