It Doesn't Sound Like Braid: Anniversary Edition Quite Set the World on Fire | Push Square

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Braid, Anniversary Edition, was released in May 2024, offering nostalgic gamers the chance to revisit the seminal 2008 puzzle platformer or prospective newcomers the opportunity to dive in. However, the high-minded re-release of the game didn't do as well as creator Jonathan Blow had hoped, with the developer lamenting its low sales.

Compiled by YouTuber Blow Fan and shared by Knoebel on X (thanks, Resetera), the clips show Blow's expectations and thoughts following the game's release. They are a fairly grim reminder that even with a recognizable name and product, no one is guaranteed to find success. It's hard to pin down exact numbers, but Braid, Anniversary Edition's player count peaked at 570 on Steam around launch, and we wouldn't imagine there being as many players on consoles.

Grimly, Blow reveals that even had publisher/developer Thekla only released on Steam, saving on port costs to PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms, the sales would still seem dismally low. It's a shame, too. We quite enjoyed revisiting the influential title, which boasts more than 15 hours of insightful, cleverly presented developer commentary, but it seems like the prospect of double-dipping was kind of a tough sell.

Back and back and back again

Did you pick up a copy of Braid, Anniversary Edition? Are you surprised to see Blow's reaction to the game's disappointing sales? Let us know in the comments section below.

Khayl Adam is Push Square's roving Australian correspondent, a reporter tasked with scouring the internet for the richest, most succulent PlayStation stories. With five years of experience as a freelance journalist and mercenary wordsmith, RPGs are his first great love, but strategy and tactics games are a close second, genres in which he is only too happy to specialize.

Jonathan really does Blow so it’s hard to feel much empathy.

I’m ok with this. I liked the original on 360 back in the day and frankly view it more as a novelty or curiosity play by today’s standards.