The original version of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons from Starbreeze Studios was released in 2013, and was met with both consumer and critical acclaim. Now over ten years later, AvantGarden Games has teamed up with 505 Games to re-release this indie daring in the form of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake. With remakes being all the rage in recent years, it didn’t really come as a surprise when this beloved gem was slated to receive the remake treatment. The question now is if the game is a successful remake, such as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake, or a disappointment like the Alone in the Dark remake?

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake follows the titular, unnamed brothers on a quest to save their father. With their mother passed away and their father succumbing to a fatal illness, the brothers must embark upon an epic journey to find the Water of Life, a magical cure and the only chance at saving their father’s life. The brothers will encounter many mythical creatures and crumbling ruins as they undergo an adventure that will test their very strength and brotherly bond.

As far as the gameplay, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is basically the same as the original version. The left analog stick controls the older brother, while the right stick controls the younger brother. Both brothers have their specific uses and talents, such as the older brother being stronger and able to crank levers, while the younger brother is smaller and able to fit through narrow passageways. None of the puzzles are overly difficult, but that’s not really the point. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is meant to be a casual adventure with the main draw being the creatures and environments around you.

However, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake does have one new gameplay feature: a co-op mode. That’s right, you can now have two people play the game simultaneously, with one player controlling each brother. What’s bizarre though is that you still can only use the same appointed analog sticks as in the single-player mode, making playing in this mode feel awkward.

I can understand the reasoning behind this, as I’m sure it was added to make the game feel more like the co-op games Josef Fares is known for, but It Takes Two and A Way Out this is not. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake was meant to be a single-player experience, which the game even tells you initially. That said, it’s a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, as you always have the option to just play the game as originally intended, which I highly recommend.

The biggest change in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is the graphics. Character models have been given more detail, especially in their facial features. Some may not like this change, as it takes away a bit of the simplistic, stylized look of the classic version, but I didn’t mind as I found facial expressions to be easier to read. Also, the environments have been given much better texturing and finer details, not to mention a far more dynamic lighting system than before.

The sound design remains mostly unchanged, with the same effects as before, as well as the same nondescript gibberish that the characters speak. The one notable difference is the soundtrack, which has been fully re-recorded with orchestral music. This is one change I do genuinely appreciate, as it adds to the ambiance and tone of each section.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is a fine game, and one I recommend playing. What disappoints me most is just how little was done to this version to set itself apart from the original. The gameplay remains untouched, other than a completely clunky and bizarre co-op mode. The main changes were an enhanced soundtrack and graphics, but the large majority of the game is exactly the same as it was before. If you’ve never played this classic previously, then Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is definitely worth your time. On the other hand, if you have played the original before, then there’s little reason for you to check out this remake, unless you simply feel like experiencing the game again.

 

Graphics: 8.0 The remake has been given a facelift, with much more details graphics, textures, and a dynamic lighting system.	Gameplay: 7.0 The only change to the gameplay is a clunky co-op system. The best way to play remains in single-player, controlling each brother with one of the controller’s two analog sticks.
Sound: 9.0 Much of the sound design remains the same, but the soundtrack has been re-recorded with an orchestra, and is all the better for it.	Fun Factor: 7.0 If you’ve never played this game in the past, then I highly recommend playing Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake. However, if you have played the original, then this remake is wholly unnecessary.
Final Verdict: 7.5

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Reviewed on Xbox Series X.

A copy of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake was provided by the publisher.