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Preview Broken Sword Is Back in the Most Passionate Remaster Possible

 
 
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
 
 

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