For the harder brick one, it would be nice (and more reasonable) to have at least one extra life, so you don't get almost there and then barely miss the ball and have to start over again, it happened to me more than once.
Very beautiful story, and almost painful to play/read. It has an overall message, as far as many little underlying ones which help the story along. I am constantly searching for beautiful little games like this one with a story and some philosophy to make you think, and this is one of them. The beautiful and subtle art and music are wonderful as well.
Got to 12, but it didn't save my progress and 'continue game' does nothing, and I don't think I can get through levels 10 and 12 again without bashing my head through the screen. Oh well, great game anyway.