Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged review (PS5)

Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged brings a beloved 1996 adventure gaming classic into the modern era with a visual and audio overhaul that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Set against the backdrop of an international conspiracy tied to the Knights Templar, this remaster remains faithful to its origins while providing a polished experience that revitalizes the game for today’s audiences with UI tweaks and tons of subtle improvements. We tested it on a PlayStation 5.

At the game’s core, the story remains as exciting as ever, following George Stobbart, an American tourist turned investigator, as he becomes entangled in a dark and mysterious plot after a café bombing in Paris. Alongside French journalist Nico Collard, players are drawn into a journey that spans multiple countries, weaving history and fiction into a compelling narrative. The narrative holds up well, maintaining the intrigue and charm that made the original a standout title in the point-and-click adventure genre, and something that feels like it could have influenced Dan Brown for his novels. The updated visuals only add to the atmosphere, with the game’s iconic (and pioneering) hand-drawn style now rendered in stunning 4K, allowing environments to feel richer and more immersive. However, some might feel that despite the overhaul, certain animations retain a slightly dated feel, a reminder of the game’s roots. It’s a thin line between nostalgic charm and wanting smoother animations, and because we loved the original we certainly didn’t mind this.

In terms of gameplay, “Reforged” sticks closely to the original’s formula, offering the classic point-and-click mechanics that adventure game fans will appreciate. Puzzles are varied and often challenging, requiring logical thinking and careful observation to solve. The game (by default) doesn’t hold your hand, which can be both a blessing and a curse – though in-game help systems (and difficulty levels) make sure this will suit all levels of experience, and if you’re just here for the story you can play it that way. The controls have been updated to suit modern platforms, making the experience smoother on consoles, though a few interactions still feel clunky when compared to more recent adventure games.

Where the game truly shines in its remaster is the audio design. The fully voice-acted dialogue is excellent, with engaging performances that bring its diverse cast of characters to life, even if some of the secondary characters’ performances feel a bit over the top sometimes. The enhanced sound and remastered score by Barrington Pheloung further elevate the experience, drawing players deeper into the mystery. The soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s tone, mixing suspense with a sense of grand adventure.

For fans of the original Broken Sword, this Reforged edition offers a nostalgic journey enhanced by modern technology – though there’s a cool touch where you can see what it looked like almost three decades ago as well. The gameplay and puzzle design remain firmly rooted in the past though, which is also part of the game’s charm, as it preserves the essence of what made “Broken Sword” so captivating in the first place and why we’re looking forward to the sequel that was announced last year.

In conclusion, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a beautifully enhanced version of a classic that still holds up remarkably well. With its compelling narrative, challenging puzzles, and updated visuals and audio, it offers a rich and engaging experience. While it may show its age in certain areas, especially when compared to modern adventure games, it remains a must-play for fans of the genre and a worthy remaster – a great showcase for why so many of us fell in love with this genre back in the day.

Score: 8.4/10