Braid

First released in: 2008
Developed by: Number None Inc. (Jonathan Blow)
Published by: Microsoft Game Studios, Number None Inc.

It’s notable for: Being an indie game that isn’t just a pretty clone (though it is beautiful), but that brought a lot of new ideas to games and how they’re played. It’s also further proof that an inspired individual can create something that rivals the efforts of major corporations, and is indicative of the continuing rise of independent games.

It inspired: There’s nothing quite like it, yet.

Blah blah blah: “It’s creative, and innovative, and it approached a very old type of gameplay with fresh ideas. Because of that, and because of the weirdness of the story, and the perceived artsyness of it, it captured a lot of people’s imaginations.” -Mikel Reparaz, Senior Editor (US)

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