While there can be some variation, video game previews are generally handled in one of two different ways: we're either left to our own devices whilst playing or a developer will sit alongside us acting as a guide. The former is preferred, but sometimes, the latter can be handled with such genuine care and passion that you stay longer than your schedule lets you just to hear a creator wax lyrical about their project. In a private room off of the Gamescom showfloor, we had that special experience with Charles Cecil of Broken Sword fame.
He and Revolution Software are remastering the point-and-click series' first entry Shadow of the Templars, and to hear of the love being poured into this new PS5 version was a complete and utter joy. It is a remaster in the absolute safest hands possible.
The enthusiasm Cecil oozes for Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars Reforged meant our hands on session did not have a defined structure, outside of a lovely introduction to the series at the start. Just to be clear: this scribe hasn't played the original game, but does have fond childhood memories of the PS2 instalment Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon as well as a bit of experience with the genre in general. Knowledge of the source text didn't matter too much, though, as Cecil excitedly jumped us between specific sections of the remaster to showcase certain sections. We'd either explore the scene ourselves or the Broken Sword creator would guide us through, in order to point out updates or jokes. Cecil's ardour for the PS5 version was infectious, making it one of the most pleasant preview sessions we've ever been a part of.
A lot like other classic remasters, you can switch between the original's visuals and the enhanced graphics at the touch of a button. Doing so highlights the huge upgrades the 4K re-release brings, from significantly better-looking character models and environments to shadows. What's so charming about the remaster is Cecil is also using it as a way of fixing a few continuity errors that have bugged him for over 20 years.
For example, in the first scene where a clown detonates a bomb in a cafe, the blast is depicted on the ground. However, the clown actually placed it on the counter. Now, in the Reforged version, a piece of the counter has been blasted wide open to more accurately depict the explosion. Then, in an alley outside the cafe, protagonist George Stobbart questions whether the clown could have escaped the scene by climbing up some drainage pipes onto the roof. However, you could quite clearly see the ends of the pipes never even reached that high. The remastered version tweaks the scene by having the pipes continue off-screen.
Besides those minor updates, the Reforged edition remains entirely faithful to the 1996 release. At the beginning of a playthrough, you can choose your preferred play style: Story or Classic. The latter is the game in its original form while the former adds optional hints and overall guidance for those who want them. You can then customise the experience further with a list of gameplay options that dictate how long it takes for tips to be displayed on-screen or how often you'll be nudged in the right direction. The latter takes the form of little blue sparkles in the environment, either covering a person, door, or interactive object. They're subtle enough to where they don't ruin the original scene, but stand out just enough for you to notice them. It feels like the correct balance has been struck, between faithfully restoring the original game and helping modern audiences.
With a brand new entry in Parzival's Stone also on the horizon, Revolution Software appears primed to get the Broken Sword series ticking all over again. This high-quality PS5 remaster is the perfect start as it brings back the original title in 4K, while appealing to fans who have been there since the start as well as curious newcomers looking to try the point-and-click genre. Our brief but impressive exposure to Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars Reforged was more than enough to secure our complete confidence in its remastered release next month. This is a real labour of love, and even without Charles Cecil in the room, you'll surely feel the passion poured into the project too.
Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars Reforged releases for PS5 on 19th September 2024. Are you setting aside some time to enjoy the remastered version of this classic game? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 39
I first (and last) played this in 1996 and it's one of the first adventure games I ever played and also enjoyed a lot, so it's definitely time for another playthrough, even if maybe not right at launch because of how stacked September is.
"It feels like the correct balance has been struck between faithfully restoring the original game and helping modern audiences."
Are kids today less intelligent than I was back in 1996? Less patient? Less observant? Because I wasn't a particularly remarkable child and yet I managed to reach the end of the game just fine.
"Modern audiences" just seems to be a bit of a stealth insult on the part of the developers tbh.
@LifeGirl I mean, when I think back to my childhood playing games, I loved them but I rarely finished anything. I found games way too frustrating, confusing, or difficult.
I'd still enjoy my time, replaying the parts I knew what to do over and over, but I'd rarely ever progress to the end.
Games are much better now at guiding you through the entire experience.
@BeerIsAwesome Yea but casuals aren’t going to dig out a PS2 to play them.
Story time: it's 1997 and I had just gotten my PS1 for Christmas. I was visiting a friend in a VERY small town, which had a video game store roughly the size of my bedroom. Not only was it in a small town, the store was even hidden in that town. We went there with all of our pocket money. I had no idea about new games, how they reviewed etc. And then I browsed the games and had a copy of Broken Sword in my hand. The case was beat up, the manual was torn and the disc looked like someone used it as a coaster. Then I took a look at the back of the box and remember being amazed by the graphics. But I had no idea about the game whatsoever, didn't even know the genre. But the graphics alone made me pick it up with all the money I had left.
We went home, popped it in and then I saw the cursor. I had no idea how to control George Stobbart and when I found out it was point and click and you couldn't shoot anyone, I was seriously disappointed. I just dumped all my money, so I tried to make it worth it. I read the manual and solved my first puzzles.
The rest is history. 27 years later, Broken Sword is still my favorite game series.Needless to say, I'll be all over this.
Can’t wait to read this! Appreciate this massively it’s my favourite game of all time.
I remember having the sequel on PS1 but was too young and stupid to understand what point and click style games were so didn't get very far 😅
I freaking loved Broken Sword 5 on ps4 it was so beautiful and fun even got the plat so I’m here day one for this even though I’ll be playing like 4 other new releases and won’t be able to start it right away. I hope we get a release date soon for Broken Sword 6 and hopefully they have plans for 2,3 and 4 so we can have the whole series on PlayStation
It looks beautiful. Not sure if the Barrington Pheloung soundtrack is being restored too? That would be a treat as I've wanted a better quality recording for years. One of the most evocative game soundtracks of all time. The YouTube interview of his approach to the soundtrack is well worth a watch too.
@LifeGirl tbh there’s plenty of papers and articles out there that talk about how social media and smartphones have kind of ruined education and made kids not as prepared/knowledgeable. I don’t know if kids aren’t as smart today as when I grew up but it is a field of study that has a lot of interest right now from academics and signs that maybe there is something to that being somewhat truthful
@dschons that’s a great story thanks for that
@Sequel Yes it is, Charles spoke of how his wife gave them the original recordings and they're being resorted in a better fashion for the Reforged version.
@LiamCroft Amazing!
@dark_knightmare2 you're very welcome! What can I say, I love me some gaming memories and nostalgia.
Does this include the newer content from the Director's Cut? I kinda hope not. I didn't really care for it.
Nice to know that this is a labor of love for the people involved unlike a decent amount of remasters nowadays.
I've yet to play any of the series, but I do still have Broken Sword 5 unplayed for a sale last year. I look forward to finally giving that a shot at some point soon and then playing this remaster eventually too.
It’s one of the best games ever made.
If you’re young and have never tried it….you’re in for a treat.
@LifeGirl Have you just realized there's a instant gratification, or else, generation? Actually, think there are at least two since the 90s.
Which BS game was on the PS1 demo disc you were at a dock and you had to drop the dog in the water was that Broken Sword 2 or this one
@Nakatomi_Uk That was BS2
Looking good, quite excited for this. Discovered this series with Serpent's Curse which was offered as PS+ game a few years back, loved it.
One of my favourite ps1 games and probably my favourite point and click game of all time, even above all the lucas arts classics like grim fandango and day of the tentacle. "George Stobart, ma'am!"
@LiamCroft @Sequel That's awesome news! 👍Always regarded Barrington 's contribution as understated much like his works in Inspector Morse/Lewis tv series,it perfectly set the mood for each & every scene.
Rented the first two games on ps1,as rarely saw them in the shops,but eventually picked them up on PC CD Rom,as I did Beneath a Steel Sky having only played the Amiga demo of the latter
It was only when upgrading to a Celeron 900mhz build from my original Celeron 266,did I learn of a hires mode for the graphics when I'd been perfectly content with the lores ones all those years,was quite an eye opener!😅
Played the DS Directors Cut which was alright but not quite as good as the original & picked up the GOG versions years later. Liam you definitely owe yourself playing the original one here! Guessing you won't need to ring a toll number Playstation hints like as I needed to multiple times to learn just exactly how you needed to pass the goat! Not so easy on the non analogue ps1 OG controller!!😂😱
@LifeGirl it's not that people are less intelligent, but things are handed to people nowadays (I'm talking about games) there are hardly any games where you have to figure things out anymore, the pathway is highlighted with yellow paint, or blatantly told to you by npcs. Back in the 80s or 90s you had to figure it all out yourself, and with some games it would punish you harshly if you couldn't. (Sierra springs to mind)
@LifeGirl I read it as these types of games are not the norm for modern audiences, so maybe they are trying to cover those points. I can't remember much about Broken Sword specifically, but point and click games in general did have you doing stuff that made no logical sense, but back then they where all the rage so you got used to it. It was worse in games like Monkey Island was probably the worst for making you do utterly random stuff.
Passionate gamers making games. Did you also know the sky is blue? When applying to work in the games industry, the first question asked should be “what’s your favourite game?” Followed by “what are you currently playing?”
gotta finish broken sword 5. i picked it up thru ps plus monthly free games. i usually like point and clicks they usually have a good
easily done platinum. would recommend a point and click here: Grim Fandango.
Its good to see so much love for this game. It truly is a magical expierience imo. The locations, puzzle, characters, art style and music are all top notch. One of my very favorite games and i never got to beat this one. Lets hope it sells well and we can get the smoking mirror next.
The easiest day 1 this generation for me.
Guess that's game of the year sorted then.
Classic
@LifeGirl I see it as a recognition of how games playing has changed. When I played point and click advetures back on release I could and often did spend days trying to figure out a particularly difficult puzzle. These days if its taking more than 30 minutes Im on google looking for an answer to move on.
Given the difficulty of many solutions, having some slight help in game might stop people turning to walk throughs, which I think would help people enjoy it more.
I think you can acknowledge peoples modern playing habbits without suggesting people are stupider?
Id like to play through this again, I have fond memories of..
Just purchased a ps one.mouse to boot up discworld again. I have this somewhere as well. Might have to play that again as well.
Ooo yesss a day 1 buy for me. Now can some1 make a port of Discworld 1&2 on playstation ? Would be pleased we bare bones port,c'mon Nightdive make it,do it!
I genuinely can’t wait for this. Seeing any news relevant to any P&C adventure games I like is really, really delightful.
I've owned this game on multiple systems and will happily buy it again. Loooots of good memories playing it on GBA (lol) in the car, trying to solve puzzles as I drove around with my mom running errands. I loved point and clicks as a kid and would KILL for a Kings Quest V remake. One of my favorite games of all time.
@Sequel not only is it being restored, but it's also being put on to vinyl if that's your cup of tea!
Charles Cecil always seems like the nicest most interesting man in the industry! Every time I hear him speak he just portrays his real love for the series and the medium as a whole. Would love to meet him! Played all Broken Sword games and backed this on kickstarter. Would love to see all the games get this treatment!
Looking forward to this. Hopefully we see a Discworld remaster someday too.
Delighted for this. I played it originally maybe 20ish years ago... so can't remember any puzzles (or solutions) which is great, so I'll essentially be going back in 'cold'.
Day1 for me
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