14 DAY TRIAL // 
From the top of my head Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was not among the games that would need or would get a remake on the current gen. But now that is here, I am glad that even more people have the chance to discover once again this moving story about the strong connection between the two siblings based on love and sacrifice.
It is hard to believe that already more than 10 years have passed since the release of the original Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Although it is worrying to see how much the current generation is relying on remasters and remakes, it is heartwarming to see that next to many clear cash grab attempts there was room for a tale with so much spirit.
The remake makes this charming title available on the current gen, after gamers of the PS3 and PS4 era already could experience it next to PC and mobile users. The plastic surgery done by Avantgarden was executed with grace and care, the end result reminding us why this indie title has been beloved by so many players.
One of the best examples of the great care that went into developing the new version is an homage to the original development team: an original game commentary done by no one else but Josef Fares, the director of the original game. This bonus unlocks by completing the game together with an art gallery, represents a great opportunity for fans to get a glimpse behind the scenes and better understand the development journey of the game.
The gameplay and the story did not suffer any changes, and although the brothers are looking better than ever before, their adventures remain mainly the same. And it is perfect this way, since the original game already hit all the right notes. The journey to procure some magical medicine takes the two young heroes of this game from a remote cottage, through a small village, to the depths of an abandoned mine and even a blood-soaked battlefield. The dramatic moments of the trip hit just as hard as they did over a decade ago.
Another key feature that has been kept untouched is the control scheme. In Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake use will use one half of the controller to move around the older brother, while the other half will control the little brother. Unfortunately, this novel scheme, although easy to use, has its confusing moments making controlling the two siblings somewhat a challenge.
Fortunately for those wanting to experience the game with a friend, the remake carries a new co-op mode. This makes the experience of playing the game win two much more comfortable, each player getting his own controller, without having to figure out the best way to use a single controller to operate both brothers. This new quality of life option is also joined by other accessibility features, helping both newcomers and players suffering from various disabilities.
Of course, next to the praises we also have to point out some of the shortcomings of the remake. By not wanting to touch the original formula, the developers left in also the weak points of the original game that we already mentioned, specifically the finicky control scheme. Just as in the original, the remake also emphasizes the story, making the gameplay cast in a secondary role. As a result, the game does not carry any real challenge to finish.
Another negative aspect is the length of the game: in around three hours it can be finished with no real reason to return. Fans of course will enjoy the new bonuses that are unlocked by finishing the game, but there is no reason to play through the linear story of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake multiple times.
The biggest change is of course the switch to Unreal Engine 5, the new graphical engine making Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake even more atmospheric. Unfortunately, the PS5 version is plagued by a shaky frame rate even in performance mode, and some odd camera focus issues that are not major, but they do break the spell of immersion. This of course can be fixed through a patch but optimizing the game from the get-go should have been a must for such a short title.
Of course, the negative aspects pale compared to the overall experience, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake being just as much of an emotional rollercoaster as the original was. Through the entire journey you can feel that Josef Fares is also a movie director, who put his cinematic expertise to work in developing this game. If you liked A Way Out or It Takes Two, you must also play this masterpiece that is the foundation of these co-op titles.
The Good
- Updated visuals
- New co-op mode
- Same story and atmosphere
The Bad
- Lack of optimization
- Some segments remain monotonous
- Too short
Conclusion
It is a brilliant story that combined with simple gameplay makes it accessible also to those who do not play video games on a regular basis. It is an experience that is worth playing through for the first time or relieving it with the updated graphics.
Review key provided by the publisher.
