GamesPuzzleBrothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake isn’t just needless, it’s as creatively bankrupt as a remake can getWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesPuzzleBrothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake isn’t just needless, it’s as creatively bankrupt as a remake can getWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
It’s hard not to be sceptical when a full remake is announced for a game that’s only a decade old—doubly so when the original is still accessible and holds up well. So I can’t say I went intoBrothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remakewith an entirely open mind, but even still I think it’s a profoundly disappointing release.
When Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons first released, it was one of those amazing out-of-nowhere surprises—a beautifully told story of two boys on a quest through a whimsical world to save their dying father. Its mechanical twist—you control both brothers simultaneously, each having their own thumbstick and trigger—still feels innovative and unique today. The control scheme and the narrative weave together wonderfully as each boy’s personalities, strengths, and fears are expressed, culminating in an emotional and surprising finale that pays off both to sublime effect.
It’s an interesting contrast to developer Josef Fares' later work—whereA Way OutandIt Takes Twoare both interested in experimenting with what’s possible in a two-player experience, Brothers essentially asks you to play co-op with yourself. Its story, told visually without any intelligible dialogue, feels simpler but more nuanced and affecting than Fares' more dialogue-heavy later works.
Of course, Fares had nothing to do with this remake—he directed the original game at Starbreeze before his own studio had been founded, and Starbreeze subsequently sold it to 505 Games, who’ve since been putting out ports to various consoles. It’s not unusual for the original creator to not be involved in a remake these days, but in this case it is particularly evident—Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake hardly seems to understand the intent of its predecessor, let alone how it might improve on it. Despite a decade of technological progress, this release represents an insultingly worse experience.
The visuals are the most noticeable difference. The artstyle of the original is warm and colourful—it evokes the feel of an old children’s picture book, and though the character models are noticeably chunky to modern eyes, it’s still often strikingly beautiful. The remake chucks that out the window, opting for a more realistic look that bulldozes the cosy atmosphere and evokes nothing but ancient Unreal tech demos.
Image1of2An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
Image1of2An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
Image1of2
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
An early scene from the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
Characters that originally had the soft friendliness of stuffed dolls now have an off-puttingly plasticky shine. Pastoral scenes that glowed with welcoming orange light are now dark and muddy with smeared details. The once deliberately simple cutscenes have been entirely recut to be moodier and more dramatic, a choice that not only clashes with the fairytale feel of the story, but in many cases totally changes the meaning of important moments.
In the early scene where the brothers learn about their father’s illness, for example, the doctor who originally felt gentle and sympathetic now seems oddly dismissive, and the little brother has become fearful instead of bold. In a story with no dialogue, every movement and facial expression is important to conveying what’s happening. I don’t think it’s holding the original unnecessarily sacred to say that changing them willy-nilly is a misstep that does real damage to the intended narrative.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
Even beyond the look and feel of the game, the updated visuals directly impact on the puzzle-solving that makes up the meat of the action. The grimier look makes every scene less readable, and no mind seems to have been paid to why certain objects and items were originally brighter and more noticeable against their backdrop. In the game’s first puzzle, for example, a rope has been changed from off-white to dark brown, making it much more difficult to spot as something important to progress—I wouldn’t be surprised if players get stuck at that early hurdle as a result, before even getting to the more complex obstacles later in the story.
Image1of2The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
Image1of2The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
Image1of2
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The brothers climbing along a ledge in the remake.(Image credit: Avantgarden SRL)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
The same scene in the original game.(Image credit: Starbreeze Studios)
It brings me no joy to come off as some kind of obnoxious purist, but every change here is wrong-headed. The one thing that I think would’ve benefited from an update—the very basic menu UI and in-game text—is the lone element that seems to have been left untouched. Given how wonderfully playable the original still is, it’s difficult to shake the feeling that this is just a quick and dirty way for 505 Games to squeeze more money out of a modern classic with a pretty off-putting disregard for its artistic integrity. There’s no meaningful preservation happening here, beyond I suppose putting a version of the game on current-gen consoles—it reeks of cynical business decisions.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remakecomes out February 28. I can only hope the original doesn’t get pulled off sale when it does.
More about puzzleToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11LatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►
More about puzzleToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11LatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►
More about puzzleToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11
More about puzzle
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12
Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12
Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11
Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11
LatestCruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you deadSee more latest►
Latest
Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead
Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead
Cruel is a frantic run-and-gun shooter where you boot cultists out of windows in a cursed apartment block that wants you dead
See more latest►
Most Popular
This bizarre roguelike has a new take on the Vampire Survivors formula: letting you build your own custom weapons out of brains, eyeballs, and chimpanzee spines
18 games the PC Gamer team can’t wait to play in 2025
The Witcher 3’s now 2-year-old bonus quest is our first taste of the ‘vibe’ CD Projekt is going for in The Witcher 4
2024 was the year updates for old games beat out all the new ones for me
Train like you game with this adventure-inspired workout
‘It’s simply impossible to make a difficulty level that’s just right for all players’: How Final Fantasy 14’s lead battle designer has been playing a precarious balancing game for Dawntrail’s dungeons and raids
Please join me in getting super excited for all the cool looking survival games coming in 2025 (and beyond)
Competitive shooters are at a crucial crossroads in 2025: ‘sweaty’ teamplay vs. casual fun
Call of Duty’s $28 Squid Game skins are the perfect crossover for our capitalist dystopia, and Activision knows exactly what it’s doing
These are the 14 biggest upcoming RPGs of 2025—get ready for another amazing year for the genre
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
