{"id":606,"date":"2024-07-08T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T06:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-remake\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T18:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T17:17:32","slug":"review-brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-remake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-brothers-a-tale-of-two-sons-remake\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Brothers \u2013 A Tale of Two Sons (remake)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eleven years have passed since former filmmaker Josef Fares released his debut video game, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons<\/strong>, under Starbreeze Studios (prior to establishing Hazelight Studios). Starbreeze eventually sold the IP to 505 Games<\/strong>, who are now releasing a remake. This iteration leans more towards a substantial remaster<\/strong>, leveraging the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. The central questions are: what enhancements does it bring to the gaming experience, and are these enhancements justified?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: 505 Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brotherhood is a recurring theme in Fares’ work. He notably supported his younger brother, Fares Fares, in his early acting career with several prominent roles. His brother also featured in a leading role in Fares’ second game, A Way Out<\/a><\/strong>. It Takes Two<\/strong>, his most recent title, achieved significant commercial success and is arguably his best work to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons<\/em> marks Fares’ initial foray into game development. While it involves controlling two characters simultaneously, its design emphasizes single-player gameplay, unlike his subsequent co-op focused titles. (Though co-op is supported, with each player controlling a character using a dedicated stick.) Playing solo offers a unique cognitive exercise, actively engaging both hemispheres of the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contrast and lighting effects receive a visible boost. Photo: 505 Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What’s new in the Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons remake?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the visual enhancements, there are few fundamental changes. It’s important to note that Josef Fares was not directly involved in this remake; the project was undertaken by 505 Games, who commissioned Avantgarden studio. This may be an attempt to capitalize on the success of It Takes Two<\/em> and renewed interest in the original. The updated graphics, powered by Unreal Engine 5, deliver a visually striking experience, rendering a game world that is simultaneously beautiful and desolate. However, these enhanced visuals come at a performance cost. The game struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, impacted by the increased graphical fidelity. While generally acceptable, slowdowns can occur, negatively affecting gameplay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game Control and Interaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The remake retains the control scheme, where players manage both brothers concurrently, each assigned to a thumbstick on the DualSense controller. This mechanic introduces compelling puzzle elements and fosters a strong connection with the characters. The PlayStation controller’s haptic feedback enhances immersion, providing a more nuanced experience of the game’s environments and narrative. However, precision can be an issue; a particular sequence requiring both brothers to jump onto moving platforms proves unnecessarily challenging due to less-than-ideal controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: 505 Games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The narrative, centered on two brothers seeking to save their ailing father, remains compelling. However, alterations to the sound and design introduce a degree of artificiality, detracting from the original’s personal feel. The character models appear to have been subtly altered, resulting in a less distinctive, almost generic appearance. While recollection may be subjective (given the eleven-year gap since playing the original), it appears that the younger brother retains greater agility, while the elder possesses superior strength, a logical design choice that aids in puzzle-solving, such as the encounter with the aggressive dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons<\/em> was a distinctive and engaging title upon its initial release. It remains so, and its problem-solving focus makes it suitable for co-op play, particularly with less experienced players. However, designating this release as a “remake” is inaccurate; it functions primarily as a remaster, with visual enhancements being the primary difference. The original indie title was well-received but not exceptional. Unfortunately, this new version feels somewhat rigid, and the technological upgrades come at a significant performance cost. If you are new to the game and enjoy the genre, it may be worth exploring on PS5. Otherwise, revisiting (or simply recalling) the original remains a viable option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

505 Games<\/a><\/em> provided a review code for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial evaluations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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