When Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake was announced late last year, I was first in line to suggest that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons doesn’t need a remake. Originally released in 2013, the game debuted on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. It has subsequently been launched on every major platform since, with both minor cosmetic tweaks and new gameplay functionality added across various formats. And yet here we are in 2024, with a brand new version of the game. In this Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake review, we’ll endeavour to answer the question: is it worth it?
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was a fantastic journey through a whimsical land on a an emotional path of self-discovery. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake could be considered a great title for newcomers simply by delivering the same game with prettier graphics. And for much of the game, it certainly seems like that’s all there is to it.
The game begins with the same introduction to the titular brothers and their need. Their mother has died, and their father is ill. They must mount him on a small wagon and carry him to the nearest doctor to get some help. In the exact same fashion as the original, the player is taught that the left stick and trigger control one brother, while the right stick and trigger control the other. Even after having played the original countless times, the control mechanic does take a little getting used to. However, after a short while is becomes surprisingly natural and fluid. There’s also the two-player co-operative mode that was introduced with the Nintendo Switch release of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. However, as enjoyable as it may be, it’s hard not to feel the core mechanic of the game becomes too simplified when dividing the brothers into two players.
Upon reaching the doctor you realise things aren’t going to be quite so simple. Your journey has only just begun. However, along the way you’ve learned the movement and interaction controls. And also the strengths and weaknesses of the two brothers. Each is one-half of a whole. The bigger brother has strength and height, while the small brother is nimble. Together, they can overcome many challenges. And will do so over the next four-or-so hours.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is just as emotional a journey as the original. It is in fact, the exact same journey. A few minor changes here and there; a spit and polish. But aside from the overhauled cosmetics, almost everything is now as it was in 2013. That even includes occasional sections where the camera will frustrate and the exact same Achievements/Trophies. What has been added however, are some new cutscenes. The original game was perfectly capable of delivering the story with no dialogue and minimal cutaways. However, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake felt the need to add in new sequences with vastly more expressive characters. It’s not exactly better or worse, just new.
Having revisited the original Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons only a few weeks ago, I feel in love all over again. The visuals have aged and the puzzles/story were of course all too familiar. Yet it still holds up as a wonderful piece of digital entertainment. Now that Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is here, I’m happy that others may well be tempted to give it a go. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a wonderful revisiting of a cult classic game. However, it is essentially the same game.
At no point during the course of this Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake review were we taken aback. Never did we feel that the changes implemented better or worsened the experience, few as they are. Whether you loved the original or never even played it, this remake is most certainly worthy of your time. But only if you don’t already have access to the original.
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