Game Review: Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars – Reforged (Xbox Series X)

Paris in the fall. The last months of the year, and the end of the millennium. The city holds many memories for me: of cafés, of music, of love… and of death.

Rightfully lauded as one of the finest ‘point and click’ adventure games ever made, Revolution Software’s Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars was released all the way back in 1996. The first in the Broken Sword franchise, the game puts players in the shoes of George Stobbart, an American tourist in the wrong place at the wrong time, enjoying a cup of coffee outside a café in Paris when a bomb goes off inside.

The culprit? A clown that George witness running off having swiped the briefcase of a victim inside the destroyed café. This sets in motion a series of events that will see George meet the reporter, Nico, travel to Ireland and Syria, and uncover an ancient mystery and conspiracy that threatens the entire world.

It is one of the most well-written stories in video gaming history (a feat that would be repeated several times with sequels) and those who grew up playing it, consider the voices, music, and more, pieces of iconic gaming history.

It was also released in 1996, and whether we like it or not, it’s beginning to look its age. Which is where Reforged comes in, as Revolution Software has gone back to their original game and redesigned it from the ground up. Delivering a fresh experience for all those long-term Broken Sword players, but also potentially introducing a brand-new audience to the likes of George, Nico, Kahn, Lady Piermont and more.

Nostalgia can be a funny thing, and it’s not always beneficial when it comes to re-releases and/or remakes. Especially ones that look to stay true to the gameplay of the original. Which is exactly what Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars – Reforged looks to do. Proudly embracing its ‘point and click’ roots and refusing to change a single thing about it (aside from an improved UI and some finer details here and there).

On first glance, the most notable thing about it is the visuals, of course. Revolution Software have enhanced every aspect and given the game even more incredible detail. By allowing the player to switch between the new look and the original look, the enhancements are even more impressive. You might think you remember how The Shadow of the Templars looked, but when you see it against the fresh and vibrant new look, its age is glaringly obvious.

It’s not just the graphics that Revolution have enhanced either. The team have gone back and fixed niggling issues, sorted out some minor plot holes, enhanced the original voice acting (and thrown some in that were left out), made the UI easier and ignored the unnecessary added content from the earlier remaster. In every sense of the word, this is the quintessential Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars experience. Not a remake of the original game, but an enhancement delivered by a passionate and caring team.

The heart and soul of the game is still present, and those looking for the warm glow of nostalgia, will be come away satisfied. That being said, how does a game like this find a way to appeal to a different audience? An audience without the same amount of patience we all had back in the 90s?

Well, to try and answer that, Revolution Software have added a hint system that recharges quickly. Of course, such a tool makes playing a game like this redundant, so to discourage its use, they’ve also sought to make the ‘trial and error’ aspects more manageable with a system that slowly narrows down your choices in an attempt to guide you in the right direction. The longer you’re stuck at a particular puzzle or section, the easier things become, leading to an arrow literally pointing at things. It’s a sad fact that Revolution had little choice but to find a way to make it more palatable, and they can be applauded for at least trying to find a way to balance the original challenge with a more audience-friendly experience.

It’s not going to be enough to tempt those who want fast-paced, action-based gameplay with minimal talking. At its core, Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars is all about its story, and while you can speed through interactions, you’d be missing out on so much if you do. A lethargic style of play is encouraged and with that comes one of the richest gameplay experiences ever. Something that still rings true with Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars – Reforged.