Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons in IOS

Heartfelt adventure

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

96/100

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the most emotional and innovative games I've ever played. The 'dual-stick' control scheme, where you control one brother with each hand, is more than just a gimmick—it's a fundamental part of the storytelling. The way the mechanics reinforce the bond between the siblings is masterfully done.

The world is beautiful, and the lack of traditional dialogue makes the journey feel universal. It’s a short experience, but every moment is curated and meaningful. The ending is something that stays with you long after the credits roll. It is a absolute masterpiece of game design.

Reviewed on: Wed Apr 09 2025
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

It's Dinsun. I'll admit, this one almost got to me. The storytelling is clever—no dialogue, just actions and atmosphere. It’s a short experience, which I appreciate as a busy man, but the mobile port is a bit of a mixed bag. The core hook—controlling two characters at once—was designed for a physical controller. Translating that to a flat screen feels clunky and often leads to frustrating deaths that aren't the player's fault.

That said, it’s a beautiful journey. It doesn't overstay its welcome, and the ending is one of the few times a game has used a button press to deliver an emotional punch. It's a bit too 'artsy' for some, and the price tag for a 3-hour game might rankle those looking for more 'content,' but the quality is undeniable. It's just a shame about the interface.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Incredible emotional storytelling
  • Unique dual-character control mechanic
  • Beautiful world-building
  • Clunky virtual joystick controls
  • Very short playtime
  • Lack of replayability

Technical Report

Performance: Occasional frame drops on older devices; touch controls lack the precision of a physical controller.

Accessibility:
  • Visual Cues
  • Simple Controls

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a high-quality, emotional story and unique mechanics.

Skip if: You hate touch controls or want a game that lasts longer than a movie.

Similar Games:
  • Journey
  • Sky: Children of the Light
  • The Last Guardian

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, skeptical of mobile ports of console masterpieces.
  • Hardware: iPad Pro 11-inch
  • Playtime: 4 hours
  • Status: Finished Story

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.7.2Tue Dec 18 2018

Optimized for the latest Apple devices.


**Supported Devices iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 or newer devices.**

Critically acclaimed, story-driven adventure game from award-winning Swedish film director, Josef Fares and originally developed by Starbreeze Studios.

10/10 - Joystiq “It’s rare for a game to forge a connection so strong.”

9/10 - Polygon “Moved me to tears.”

9/10 - Eurogamer “A triumph.”

Winner of more than 50 awards including Game of Year, BAFTA, DICE and more.

A man, clinging to life. His two sons, desperate to cure their ailing father, are left with but one option. They must set out upon a journey to find and bring back the "Water of Life" as they come to rely on one another to survive. One must be strong where the other is weak, brave where the other is fearful, they must be... Brothers.

• Guide two brothers, Naia and Naiee, on an epic fairy tale journey using specially designed, dual virtual joysticks

• Control both brothers simultaneously as you experience co-operative play in single player mode

• Solve puzzles, explore the stunning locations and fight boss battles, using unique qualities of big and little brother each varying in

strength, size and speed

• Experience an emotional story told without words…narrative above the ordinary

This is one journey you will never forget…


Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPad (3rd generation), iPad (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (4th generation), iPad (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini Wi‑Fi, iPad mini Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 2, iPad Air 2 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 3 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 4 Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (9.7‑inch), iPad Pro (9.7‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (5th generation), iPad (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (10.5‑inch), iPad Pro (10.5‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (6th generation), iPad (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch), iPad Pro (11‑inch) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (7th generation), iPad (7th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (8th generation), iPad (8th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad mini (6th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (9th generation), iPad (9th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air (5th generation), iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad (10th generation), iPad (10th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11‑inch) (4th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation), iPad Pro (12.9‑inch) (6th generation) Wi‑Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M2), iPad Air 11-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M2), iPad Air 13-inch (M2) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M4), iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M4), iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad mini (A17 Pro) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad (A16), iPad (A16) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M3), iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M3), iPad Air 13-inch (M3) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 11-inch (M5), iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Pro 13-inch (M5), iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 11-inch (M4), iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular, iPad Air 13-inch (M4), and iPad Air 13-inch (M4) Wi-Fi + Cellular.

**Supported Devices iPhone 5, iPad 4, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 or newer devices.**

Critically acclaimed, story-driven adventure game from award-winning Swedish film director, Josef Fares and originally developed by Starbreeze Studios.

10/10 - Joystiq “It’s rare for a game to forge a connection so strong.”

9/10 - Polygon “Moved me to tears.”

9/10 - Eurogamer “A triumph.”

Winner of more than 50 awards including Game of Year, BAFTA, DICE and more.

A man, clinging to life. His two sons, desperate to cure their ailing father, are left with but one option. They must set out upon a journey to find and bring back the "Water of Life" as they come to rely on one another to survive. One must be strong where the other is weak, brave where the other is fearful, they must be... Brothers.

• Guide two brothers, Naia and Naiee, on an epic fairy tale journey using specially designed, dual virtual joysticks

• Control both brothers simultaneously as you experience co-operative play in single player mode

• Solve puzzles, explore the stunning locations and fight boss battles, using unique qualities of big and little brother each varying in

strength, size and speed

• Experience an emotional story told without words…narrative above the ordinary

This is one journey you will never forget…


Ratings & Reviews

4.1 out of 5 with 266 Counts
Age Rating 13+

Screenshots

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 1Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 2Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 3Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 4Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 5Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 6Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 7Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 8Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 9Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons screenshot 10

Critically acclaimed and award-winning, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a story-driven adventure from visionary director Josef Fares. To save their dying father, two brothers must set out on a journey to find the 'Water of Life.' They must rely on each other to survive, using their individual strengths to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. This mobile version features a unique control scheme designed to allow simultaneous control of both siblings, creating a gameplay experience like no other.

Features

1

Award-winning narrative and art direction

2

Unique simultaneous dual-character controls

3

Stunning fantasy environments

4

Emotional, wordless storytelling

Tips

Promotion Videos

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Launch Trailer - YouTube

Related Videos

Recommended Links

IGN Review

Detailed look at why the story works so well.

Review

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Gameplays

Q&A

While the story is about two people, it is designed as a single-player experience where one person controls both characters at the same time.

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