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Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

|Sweden, Italy|Adventure, Indie

8.4 /10

Aww Great!

Very hot

42.1k ratings
Time to beat
Main
2.7h
Main + extras
3.2h
Complete
5.6h
Rating sources
Steam · Player score9.4/1041.3k ratingsIGDB · Critic score8.3/1016 ratingsIGDB · Player score8.1/10772 ratings
OpenCritic · Critic score7.7/1032 ratings
Trailers & screenshots
Why play it

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a 2013 Adventure, Indie, Puzzle game rated 8.4/10 from 42.1k ratings, with a main story of about 2.7h, available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows Phone, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

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.

Story and worldbuilding

A man, clinging to life. His two sons, desperate to cure their ailing father, are left with but one option. They must set out upon a journey to find and bring back the "Water of Life" as they come to rely on one another to survive. One must be strong where the other is weak, brave where the other is fearful, they must be... Brothers.

Game highlights
Rating momentum

Aww Great!: 8.4/10 across 42.1k ratings. Word of mouth is strong — if you like the genre, go for it.

Play style

Leans into Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, with a main story around 2.7h. Check if that style and time commitment fit you.

Reviews

20 media reviews

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Media

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PC GamerTom Senior · 24 Oct, 2013
8.5/10

A gorgeous world, bursting with personality. Great storytelling makes up for the short length and unchallenging puzzles.

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DestructoidBrett Makedonski · 7 Aug, 2013
8/10

That's precisely what makes Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons so endearing -- the undeniable contrast created by the highs and lows that come with the entire experience being driven by love. It's so strong that it even dwarfs the game's core mechanical flaws, making them feel trivial when they should sully the whole affair. It's a powerful venture that isn't necessarily about where you began or where you end up; it's about everything that happened in between.

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Push SquareStephen Tailby · 13 Aug, 2015
8/10

If you've already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, it's still very worthy of your time, but there's not much new to see beyond some concept art and commentary. If you're yet to play it, though, you now have no excuse. A well-told and engaging story awaits for those of you willing to forgive the slightly awkward controls.

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Nintendo LifeDom Reseigh-Lincoln · 28 May, 2019
8/10

As poignant, heartbreaking and memorable as it was back in 2013, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons hasn’t lost any of its emotional impact in those intervening years. With a captivating soundtrack, an aesthetic design evocative of Fable and a genuinely clever take on co-op, you can really see why it’s held in such high regard.

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Pure XboxLucie Mansell · 24 Aug, 2015
8/10

Brothers is a game that will endure in the hearts and memories of those who have experienced it for a very long time and should feature on many "Games You Must Play" lists. Fans of the game will find themselves once again transfixed as they embark on the journey once more and for those have not yet taken the plunge, now is definitely your chance. Just remember to keep the tissues handy. You might be in need of them.

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Digital TrendsAnthony John Agnello · 18 Nov, 2020
10/10

Starbreeze's collaboration with first-time game director Josef Fares is a soaring success, joining wholly unique and effective controls with a vivid visual language.

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GameOnlyPrzemysław Naglik · 14 Mar, 2024
6/10

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a refresh that was completely unnecessary. The original version of the game still looks quite good and offers an atmosphere better suited to the storyline. The creators didn't decide to implement the needed changes, leaving the title full of problems that have been mentioned for a long time. It's an OK game, but still a bit of disappointment.

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MondoXboxMatteo Merlano · 28 Feb, 2024
8.5/10

https://www.mondoxbox.com/recensione/3647/brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-remake.html

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Cubed3Andrew · 16 Dec, 2019
7/10

It's certainly not a game for those that love fast-paced action, but for anyone wanting to take the time to appreciate the world around them, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a good choice.

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FNintendoTiago Marafona · 28 Jun, 2019
7/10

Its emotional experience is worthy of praise, as it is its heavy, gritty environment. The plot is rather short-lived, which makes the journey less involving than it could be, but overall the experience of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is worth exploring by all those who are interested in a more emotional component of gaming.

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