10 Video Game Reveals That Stopped You DEAD
5. Treacherous Tim - Braid
As already alluded to on this list, morality is sometimes subjective and multifaceted. Thus, a character can be the hero and the villain of the story at the same time if there are numerous perspectives through which to view them.
Few titles examine that duality better than beloved indie puzzle-platformer Braid.
For most of the playthrough, central figure Tim thinks he’s overcoming dozens of trials and tribulations to rescue a princess from a nefarious knight (or “monster”).
It’s not clear what Tim’s relationship is to her, but judging by how panicked she looks – as well as how frantically she runs through the stages – it appears that she’s scared to death of the knight (and that Tim is on the right track).
That is, until the last level, where the inversion of time also inverts the storyline to show that the princess has been fighting to escape Tim – and be saved by the knight – the whole time.
Based on clues and other information strewn throughout the journey, it’s easy to assume that Tim is the princess’ scorned yet regretful ex-lover who’s mistreated her in the past and refuses to accept that she’s moved on with the knight.