By Kelsey Cameron
First published September 7 2017, Edited 2023
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was developed by Starbreeze Studios in 2013. The brothers worlds are rocked by tragedy when the opening sequence shows the younger brother on a boat with his mother drowning beneath him. At her grave the younger brother bows his head in sadness in an emotionally captivating introduction.
After the death of their mother the game is about the journey of two brothers that go on a quest to find medicine for their sick father. While it seems the younger brother is the predominant character, the player is able to control both brothers, at the same time with the left and right joystick. There is little initial direction given in the game so it is up to the player to explore and discover how to play.
The gameplay is centered around navigating through environmental puzzles where each brother can do specific tasks that the other cannot. This design tool, along with the ability to control both characters at the same time enables the player to create a strong relationship with either character. The tasks start out light and become increasingly dark as the game progresses.
The brothers talk to each other in a foreign language so the game explores a more abstract connection between the player and system. This combined with highly a emotive soundtrack sets the tone of the game very well. The most touching moments were towards the end where, after playing as both brothers and simulating their relationship with one another through play, the older brother dies just as they find the medicine for their father. The way that raw emotion is depicted in this game is very powerful and confronting. In a Lord of the Rings style ending, the younger brother flies home on a lion/owl in a frustrating moment where, had they flown all along their journey and suffering would have been negated. Nevertheless, this ending pulled on the heart strings in an unpredictable way. The art style, younger brothers light-hearted attitude, and fact that a tragedy happened in the beginning of the game kind of lulled the audience into a false sense of security. Their story was about coming together after losing their mother to save their father and keep their family intact. But that didn't happen and one of the final shots shows the now two graves stood on the hill. In this moment, the Father falls to his knees crying.
This was a shorter game, but one that managed to leave a lasting impression about the fragility of human life and meaning in human relationships. Using the gameplay to establish this was a clever and a welcomed use of the medium. It was beautiful, it was tragic, but it was a wonderful story told through a game and experienced by a player.