The Broken Sword series has always held a special place in the hearts of many gamers. I distinctly remember the first time I played it in the 90s, and that experience has stayed with me. Since then, the series has seen the release of five games, as well as numerous remasters and versions for nearly every platform imaginable. According to Charles Cecil, the man behind Revolution, who developed the game, this widespread availability is why the studio has been able to survive for so long. It allows a new generation of gamers to experience this classic. Now, we once again have the pleasure of returning to the first and most popular game in the series, this time in a new and updated version. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a physical collector’s edition, so I’m here to tell you whether this edition is still worth the investment 28 years after its original release.
There are many versions of the first game in the series. The latest version of Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged doesn’t have the same prologue as the “Director’s Cut” version, with Nico involved in the story from the beginning. This prologue is completely different from the rest of the game and feels a bit out of place, especially due to the technical differences in sound quality. The quality of the voice acting in the prologue is higher than in the rest of the game, which makes the transition to the original so sharp that it almost ruins the experience. So I’m glad this preface has been removed from the new Reforged version. This means the game starts the same way as the original, retaining a nostalgic feel.
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The game begins with George Stobbart sitting outside a café in Paris when a rather creepy clown appears and enters the café. Soon after, a bomb exploded, shattering the cafe’s windows and throwing George to the ground by the force of the blast. He stood up from the rubble, where everything had gone quiet, and walked into the café to investigate what was going on. He finds an old man dead and a shocked waitress, whom he begins to question. Everything about this situation is mysterious, and George is determined to find out what’s behind this sudden act of violence. The opening sequence quickly sets the stage for a monumental adventure, as George is drawn into a world of secrets and intrigue spanning Europe. The story features encounters with historical figures and events, particularly involving the Knights Templar, which has always been part of the series’ appeal.
For many fans, the premise is ingrained in their memories, and for those of us who’ve played the game countless times, it’s almost like coming home. Refreshingly, the Reforged version retains this iconic beginning and vibe. The story still holds true today, and it’s still a joy to follow George as he tries to unravel the reason why the cafe was bombed, taking him to some of the most famous and mysterious places in Europe. Even though I know it almost by heart, it’s still a joy to play it again and be drawn into its world of intrigue and secrets. It’s the perfect blend of historical fact and fiction, making the experience both entertaining and thought-provoking. As a history teacher, I especially appreciate how the game weaves Templar history into the narrative, which makes me even more excited personally.
But what’s so special about the Reforged version? First of all, the graphics have been greatly improved. The original graphics are charming, but gritty and a bit lacking in detail. In Reforged, everything has been updated and backgrounds have been hand-repainted in beautiful 4K resolution. This means you can now see details that were previously hidden or indistinguishable. At the same time, Revolution has ensured that the new graphics remain true to the original, which is very important to me as a fan. You often see remasters where developers change too much and take away some of what made the original game special. Fortunately, that’s not the case here. The graphics have been modernized, but the nostalgia remains intact, making Reforged feel like the perfect balance between old and new.
I was one of the fans who backed the game on Kickstarter, and Revolution has been very open about the development process along the way. One thing they said was that they had to recreate all the animations from scratch, which allowed them to add a lot more detail than the original animations. This is especially noticeable on George’s face, where you can now see small nuances and features that were previously imperceptible. This gives the characters more depth and makes the game more visually impressive. Animations feel smoother, and the entire game is given a typical Don Bluth style that fits perfectly with the cartoon aesthetic.
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While many aspects have been improved, some aspects of the game remain unchanged. The puzzles the game is famous for remain as mysterious as ever. For example, the infamous goat puzzle is still part of the game. This puzzle has become a meme among fans of the series because it’s notoriously difficult to figure out. However, despite its frustrating nature, it was part of the original experience, and I’m glad Revolution chose to keep it, for better or worse. It’s part of what makes the game what it is, and removing or changing it would feel wrong.
Another big improvement in the Reforged version is the voice acting. In the original game, the audio was compressed very tightly, which meant that the voice actors often sounded like they were speaking through socks. This issue has been corrected in Reforged, where dubbing is now clearer and sharper. While the sound still isn’t on par with what we’re used to in modern games, it’s a noticeable improvement over the original, making dialogue sound more pleasant to the ear. This is especially important because dialogue is a huge part of a game’s charm and personality.
The controls have also been updated. Reforged can now be played with a controller, mouse, and keyboard, making the game accessible to both PC and console players. The controls feel smooth and responsive, and it’s obvious that a lot of effort has been put into making sure the experience is equally good no matter which platform you’re playing on. I’ve played it with both a controller and a mouse, and it works really well, which is a big plus for the game.
The music in Reforged has also been updated, which is one of the things that really takes the game to the next level. Barrington Pheloung’s iconic score has been remastered and the result is fantastic. In the original version, the music was compressed very tightly, which meant it didn’t really come into its own. In Reforged, however, the music has been remastered, resulting in a more detailed and atmospheric experience. Sadly, Pheloung has left us, and he would no doubt have been proud of how his work sounded on this version. Music is an important part of the game’s identity, and it’s great to hear it in such high quality.
So, is Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged still worth playing nearly 30 years after its original release? There is no doubt about it. The game manages to retain everything that made the original special while giving it the updates it needs to appeal to modern audiences. The story, characters, and atmosphere remain as engaging as ever, and technical improvements make the experience even better. For old fans, it’s a nostalgic trip back to the height of adventure gaming, while for new players, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience a true classic in an updated version. I can only recommend it.
