Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
May 28, 2019 7 years ago
Brothers is presented from a third-person view overlooking the two brothers. The brothers are moved individually by two thumbsticks on the controller. The controller triggers also cause the respective brother to interact with the game world, such as talking to a non-player character or grabbing onto a ledge or object. The older brother is the stronger of the two and can pull levers or boost his younger brother to higher spaces, while the younger one can pass between narrow bars. The player progresses by manipulating the two brothers at the same time to complete various puzzles, often requiring the player to manipulate both brothers to perform differing functions (such as one distracting a hostile non-player character while the other makes their way around). Should either brother fall from a great height or get injured, the game restarts at a recent checkpoint. All of the in-game dialogue is spoken in a fictional language, thus the story is conveyed through actions, gestures and expressions.
What it’s like
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a poignant, linear adventure that tells its story entirely through visual language and controller mechanics rather than dialogue. You control two brothers simultaneously using the left and right thumbsticks, creating an intuitive but demanding physical connection to their bond. The core experience revolves around environmental puzzles where you must coordinate their distinct abilities—one strong enough to lift heavy objects, the other nimble enough to squeeze through tight spaces—forcing a constant rhythm of cooperation. The narrative follows a classic fairy-tale quest structure with a mature, emotional undercurrent, conveyed through expressive character animations and a hauntingly beautiful art style. While the journey is relatively short and linear, it is meticulously crafted to feel like an interactive fable. The atmosphere is thick with melancholy wonder, supported by a dynamic soundtrack that reacts to your actions. It is less about mechanical complexity and more about the emotional resonance of shared struggle and eventual separation.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCharactersGameplay / MechanicsStory / NarrativeVisuals / ArtPacingPolish / PerformanceWriting / Dialogue
Keep in mind The game is very short (approx. 3-4 hours) and linear, offering little replay value or exploration for those seeking open-ended adventures. · The dual-stick control scheme can feel awkward or unintuitive for players unfamiliar with this specific input method, potentially causing frustration during complex puzzles.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from thegamer.com, gamerant.com, adventuregamehotspot.com, metacritic.com, game8.co, thereviewgeek.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox 360 | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 07, 201313 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 03, 201313 years ago |
| PlayStation 3 | Worldwide | Full release | Jan 28, 201413 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 12, 201511 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 12, 201511 years ago |
| iOS | Worldwide | Full release | Oct 22, 201511 years ago |
| Android | Worldwide | Full release | May 24, 201610 years ago |
| Windows Phone | Worldwide | Full release | May 26, 201610 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | May 28, 20197 years ago |
