I'm a fan of Broken Sword and point and click adventure games in general and was waiting for this a lot (backed it on Kickstarter). The first impression would be positive, but the sound quality is very bad. The sound is so muffled, that it ruins the experience. I would have chosen better sound and worse graphics if it were me.

As a longtime fan of this game, I was excited about this remake. The new visuals look great and show the developers put in some real effort. But for the high price they're asking, I'm really let down by the terrible audio quality. It's bad enough to ruin the whole experience for me.

You'd expect a pricey remake to improve everything, but they only seem to have cared about the graphics. The sound problems are everywhere and really annoying. The dialogue sounds muffled, and the volume levels are all over the place. When you're talking to the police officer outside the cafe, you can barely hear anything. Then suddenly, when George talks to himself, it's loud again. I had to rely on subtitles just to follow what was going on.

Maybe playing with headphones would make it easier to hear, but it wouldn't fix the muffled, terrible audio quality. I shouldn't have to resort to headphones just to make out what's being said in a game I paid this much money for.

What really frustrates me is how easy this would've been to fix. I did a quick test to prove it. I recorded some of the game's dialogue and ran it through Adobe Podcast Enhance. It took me just minutes, and the difference was night and day - it sounded like it was recorded today, not decades ago. They could have fixed the entire game's audio in a couple of days, tops. I don't understand why they didn't do this, especially for a remake that costs this much.

I've bought every version of this game - the original, director's cut, remaster, even the Gameboy Advance version. I had high hopes for this one. The new graphics are nice, sure, but the bad audio kept pulling me out of the story.
For new players, I think the audio might be a deal-breaker, especially given the price. Even as a big fan, I couldn't get past it.

I love the original game, but I can't recommend this version. The mix of shiny new graphics and old, poorly balanced audio just doesn't work, especially for what they're charging. If you already have an older version, just stick with that.
It's still a classic game at its core, but this remake just doesn't deliver the full upgrade it should because of all the audio problems that could have been fixed so easily.

I've been playing the Broken Sword series since 1998 and was excited to see a remake for in my opinion the best one out of the series. Unfortunately I was let down rather fast due to the lack of audio-quality. But the reason that I've refunded the game is that even without any assists and with classic mode selected, the cursor snaps over interactable objects on mouse-over. Just give us an option to turn it off? Also not a big fan of the bag/item UI overhaul.

Still an amazing game by a great studio and I can't wait for Broken Sword 6. I was more than willing to spend EUR 30,00 on a game that I already played over and over in the late 90's cause you deserve every cent for the amount of pleasure you've provided me with. But I couldn't play this version for more than 30mins without being annoyed too much.

Too expensive for what you get, the graphic updates are not worth 30 euro I also detest the new mouse interaction, sound is the same as the original version so no update there. I refunded it due to the price and lack of value (we shouldn't be punished for the use & cost of AI upscaling) and personally I liked the added content from the directors cut so it being removed from this version seems like a money grab to me due to cut content.

I wanted to enjoy this, I tried to persevere but the audio quality and inconsistency in audio levels between dialog options in the same scene was just too jarring and painful on my ears. I'll keep watch on future updates and look to repurchase if the audio issues are resolved.

As a long time fan, who was really looking forward to this re-make/master, I can only say that my disappointment over the audio quality is greater than my excitement over the visual upgrade.
I'll only change this review to a positive one if they ever decide on fully reforging this game.

The game looks fantastic and seems to be cleaned up quite nicely, however the voice acting has not been touched so it creates this really odd sense of looking at something new but hearing something that sounds like it was recorded in a tin can filled with mud.

I can not understand why the creators thought this was acceptable? Maybe they thought people would not notice? This does not totally ruin the experience but it is hard to stay in the moment and certainly has a strong negative impact and also it looks like a cost cutting/money grab issue. As the voice is one of if not the most nostalgic elements, it is a big focal point, so again this is just sad.

as one review mentioned, it is like looking at a beautiful woman, only for her to sound like a drowning goat ( I have added my own little addendum there )

it does surprise me that more people are not concerned about this, and i feel it shows people are more focused on image rather than sound, because even if you played this game for the first time, the voices still sound awful.

Sort it out.

Audio sounds horrible, requested refund. 5/10 might buy again if they fix the audio issues.

It's time to talk to you about a landmark in the point-and-click genre that has left a mark on the genre, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged, which is a well-crafted remake of the classic 1996 point-and-click adventure game from Revolution Software. The original game gained a large portion of its fan base thanks to its immersive story, compelling puzzles, and charming visual style, centered around a conspiracy-filled mystery and historical plot. The 2024 Reforged edition aims to modernize this beloved title while preserving its legacy. The foundation of Broken Sword has always been its rich narrative, and Reforged doesn't change that at all.

The story follows George Stobbart, an American tourist in Paris, who becomes embroiled in an ancient conspiracy after witnessing a bombing in a café. With journalist Nico Collard at his side, the two uncover a secret order linked to the Knights Templar. What makes this story stand out, even after all these years, is the way it combines historical intrigue with well-structured suspense. The modern version improves on this strong foundation with minor tweaks to the pacing and some minimal changes to the dialogue.

Revolution Software seems to have sought to make the game faster without taking away the charm of the original. Some new scenes and dialogue were added to expand the characters' motivations, giving Nico in particular more depth. The humor, wit and beloved characters remain unchanged, which will delight longtime fans who will find the same sense of enjoyment in the game.

The biggest upgrade to Reforged is its visual overhaul. While the original had a cartoony style with hand-drawn graphics that were impressive for its time, the 2024 version recreates that style with high-definition graphics, dynamic lighting, and subtle animations. The streets of Paris and exotic landscapes look more vibrant, and the character models, while remaining faithful to the original design, have been recreated with more detail, offering a modern aesthetic.

Revolution Software's attention to detail is evident in the way they have reinvented the environments, maintaining the iconic style of the game. New lighting effects give the scenes a more atmospheric and immersive feel. However, traditional gamers will be happy to know that there is the option to switch the graphics back to the classic style, providing a more authentic retro experience, which is a perfect tribute to old fans.

Point-and-click adventure games have a special charm, and Broken Sword has always been at the top of this genre. In Reforged, the core mechanics remain unchanged, but have been slightly expanded to fit modern requirements. The inventory system has been tweaked, making it more intuitive to use, and some puzzles that may have seemed obscure in the original have been redesigned for a smoother experience.

Also, the game still relies on a mix of logical puzzles, exploration and dialogue to solve mysteries. None of the puzzles are overly simple, but quality of life improvements, such as hint systems for players who get stuck, ensure that newcomers won't feel overly frustrated. Veterans, on the other hand, will enjoy the challenge, though they probably won't stick around for long due to their familiarity with the flow of the game. Additionally, there are some certain new puzzles added to Reforged that blend smoothly with the rest of the experience. These new challenges, while not numerous, give old players something fresh to deal with. However, the hallmark of the game, namely the puzzles that are inextricably linked to the story, remain as strong as ever.

Additionally, one of the strengths of the original Broken Sword was its voice acting, and Reforged retains that quality. Rolf Saxon's original voice as George Stobbart remains, but some lines have been re-recorded for better acoustic quality. Nico's dialogue also sounds clearer, and her character has gained more gravitas thanks to additional recordings for her scene extensions. The game's sound effects have been reworked, and the atmospheric music has been recreated, providing a richer aural experience that complements the game's visual enhancements. Paris comes alive with ambient sounds, whether it's birds chirping in the trees or the distant rumble of the city, adding layers to the immersive experience.

In other news, despite the fact that Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is an excellent revival, it couldn't lack some drawbacks. The new puzzles, while welcome, are fewer than some would expect, especially for a full Reforged release. Some players may find the pace of the first part of the game a little slower compared to the later sections, which remains a remnant of the 90s design.

Additionally, while the visual and audio upgrades are excellent, the basic gameplay mechanics may feel outdated for players unfamiliar with the slow pace of point-and-click games. Revolution Software could perhaps modernize other aspects of the game, such as adding more freedom to puzzle solving or offering more dynamic motion controls.

Still, despite its many strengths, the pace of the game, especially in the early stages, can feel slow for modern players. The slow progression of the first part, filled with dialogue and investigative scenes, may not appeal to those looking for a more dynamic experience. The lengthy conversations, while important to the plot, can slow down the pace, making the first few hours feel a little time-consuming.

Another major problem is the difficulty curve. While many puzzles have been edited to be more understandable, some remain frustratingly obscure or illogical by today's standards. Some include so-called "pixel hunting", where players must click on tiny, nearly invisible objects to progress especially when not playing in the story mode option, which seems outdated for a modern remake. Despite the addition of the hint system, some players may resort to online guides, which reduces the immersive feel.

Additionally, while the visual overhaul is nice, it doesn't push the boundaries enough in certain areas. Character movements, while improved, still feel stiff at times, robbing the smoothness one expects from modern adventure games. There are moments where character movement and interaction with the environment feel dated, making the remaster feel more like an aesthetic overhaul than an actual recreation.

Finally, the lack of significant new content may disappoint longtime fans. While Reforged introduces a few new puzzles and dialogue, these additions are limited. The game stays true to the original storyline and design, which may seem like a missed opportunity to expand the world or add more modern storytelling elements. For those hoping for significant new plot points or extended adventures with George and Nico, the game may feel repetitive.

In conclusion, despite some negatives, Broken Sword - Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a worthwhile remake that revives one of the greatest point-and-click adventure games for a new generation. However, the slow pace, occasional frustrating puzzles and limited new content mean it's not a perfect experience. Old fans will enjoy the nostalgia trip, and new players will probably appreciate the introduction to this iconic story, but the older design elements and few innovations may not capture everyone's attention. If you're a fan of classic adventures or have fond memories of the original, Reforged is worth your time. However, if you're expecting a major overhaul with significant new content, you may find Reforged a bit poor. Finally, I will say that it is a faithful update that honors its heritage, but doesn't take enough risks to reinvent itself for the modern era and in closing, I personally think that 29.99 Euros is TOO much.

Thanks to Gamelab and Revolution Software for trusting me to make this review a reality to the public.

Rating 7,5/10

Clunky controls and annoying characters.