Broken Sword: The Shadow Of The Templars Review (PC)

Biased? Me? Never!

One of the reasons I love reviewing games so much, is that as well as getting to play some of the latest titles (sometimes even before they are released!), being sent to the occasional games launch event, or expo, and meeting some amazing people, is that I have the opportunity to revisit some of my childhood favourites, re-live the great memories I have of them, and not have to feel guilty about it! Broken Sword: The Shadow Of The Templars (and it’s sequel, for that matter) is just such a game, and one I revisit probably more often than I should, given the nature of the game, and the fact that once you’ve finished it once and know what happens, there isn’t really that much in terms of replay value. Nevertheless, this is a game that I find myself playing roughly every year or so, and enjoying immensely, despite knowing the solution to every puzzle, and practically being able to recite the script word for word. For those who don’t know, The Shadow Of The Templars (or ‘The Circle Of Blood’ for our readers across the pond) is a point-and-click adventure game, which was released in 1996 to wide critical acclaim, and which still regularly ranks highly on ‘best adventure game’ lists even today. Famously, most of the more memorable games in this genre were produced by Lucas Arts, making this a rare exception, and one that takes on a far more serious tone than most, if not all of it’s Lucas Arts counterparts. One clear example of this that springs to memory, is that with the exception of a single instance in Monkey Island, I cannot remember any Lucas Arts adventure game in which it is possible for the main character to die through the actions of the player, whereas Broken Sword presents the player with several instances where if they do not complete the correct action, or set of actions quickly enough, the main character will be killed, and you will be forced to resume the game from the last time you saved. While some may find this slightly harsh, it really rewards quick thinking and resourcefulness, and definitely adds a sense of authenticity to the story.

The Shadow Of The Templars is a game with which I can find very little fault.

The game opens as George Stobbart, a young, arrogant, yet likeable American patent lawyer on holiday in Europe, witnesses a bomb attack on a Parisian café. George soon realises that there is more to this apparent act of terrorism than first meets the eye, and along with French photojournalist Nicole Collard, he sets off on the trail of the costumed killer. Through the course of the game, they unravel a convoluted conspiracy dating back to the 12th century, which takes George on a winding adventure across the globe in search of answers. A wide range of characters feature, each being well animated, and voiced by some very talented people, who capture the personalities of the characters perfectly. I always find myself talking to every character possible at every opportunity, even if it’s not strictly necessary for the game’s completion, as they each add something of importance to the mood and feel of the story, and contribute a real air of mystery and intrigue to the adventure. The locations are similarly well animated, and really bring the story to life, adding an air of authenticity to the game’s international conspiracy. While the graphic style of both the locations and the NPCs are nowhere near up to today’s standards, they have aged well, and you never feel like you are playing a game that is in fact 16 years old. Having already mentioned the high standard of the voice acting, I feel I should also draw attention to the game’s magnificent soundtrack, which further serves to bring each location to life, through a mixture of a fitting score, that really sets the mood of each location, while never allowing the player to forget the mystery and weight of the game’s story for very long, and fantastic sound effects, which again add to the authenticity of each location and event. Overall, The Shadow Of The Templars is a game with which I can find very little fault. The story is full of mystery and intrigue, and really captivates the player, making them want to come back for more. The game is produced to such a high standard, that it makes many other adventure games of this type feel inferior, and even the Broken Sword series’ other instalments have largely failed to capture the certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that that the original possessed. All of the elements fit together perfectly to create what I’d consider to be the perfect adventure gaming experience, and I realise that’s a bold claim, but there it is.