Broken Sword Reforged: A Masterpiece or Miss? [Full Review]

🎮 Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars: Reforged Review - A Masterpiece or Miss? 🎮
Welcome back to GameVault HQ! In this video, we dive into the legendary Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars: Reforged. Is this updated version of the classic point-and-click adventure worth your time in 2024? We’ll break down the enhanced graphics, revamped gameplay, and how it compares to the original. If you're a fan of the Broken Sword series or a newcomer to the franchise, this review will help you decide if it's worth playing. Spoiler-free!
🔑 Topics covered:
Graphics and visual improvements in Reforged
Puzzle mechanics and gameplay updates
Storyline and characters: Does it still hold up?
Nostalgia vs. modern improvements
Should you buy Broken Sword: Reforged?
We’ve given Broken Sword: Reforged a score of 9/10, but tune in to find out why! Let us know in the comments if you agree with our review, and what your thoughts are on this iconic game’s return.
music:
Listen to summer vibes. by NCM on #SoundCloud
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Summer Vibes by Mike Leite | / mikeleite
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[@GameVaultHQ-5]

🎮 Thanks for watching! What do you think of the updated visuals in Broken Sword: Reforged? Does it still hold up after all these years, or do you prefer the classic? Let me know your thoughts below!👇 Also, don't forget to share your favorite puzzle moment from the game - I know we all have that one that stumped us for hours 😂. Looking forward to reading your comments! 🔥

[@Coldsilfur4]

There is a comparison video of all three versions on YT and trust me.. you forgot how much trash the DC version was.. cutting out several cutscenes, partly implementing stiff Flash animated videos instead.. changing dialogues etc. I am glad that we have a really great and faithful remake now

[@TheDneaves]

Broken Sword is without doubt the greatest point and click adventure of all time. Monkey island is just made by a more famous company.

[@leewilliams6757]

I agree. This is my favourite.

[@Sundog1985]

Couldn't have said better myself. I keep seeing similar comments but over the last twenty or so years, people went on and on about MI, I think that folk are finally realising how much better BS is than every lucasarts game now, it's been slow though.

[@spacebrotherproductions5453]

These were games where you were required to actually think and sit on puzzles which were really rewarding to eventually solve. Modern audiences effectively means a generation that needs instant gratification and dopamine hits. Slower story pacing was to further immerse yourself in the story and characters. That being said really keen to play this again. How does it compare to the directors cut? And can you have deaths turned on?

[@GameVaultHQ-5]

Totally agree! There’s something so satisfying about working through those puzzles. Broken Sword: Reforged brings back that classic charm with improved visuals and smoother gameplay. Unlike the Director’s Cut, it drops the Nico prologue and keeps the original opening with George. Also, the infamous goat puzzle is back in its original form! Sadly, the death scenes aren’t restored, but the tension is still there. Hope you enjoy diving back in-let me know how it feels this time!

[@Calculon1712]

@@GameVaultHQ-5 The death scenes are in the Reforged version, did you play the Classic mode or the other mode it gives you before you start the game?

[@ueg3618]

You gotta elaborate on what "modern audiences" mean because it means two different things these days. 😂

[@Coldsilfur4]

There is a comparison video of all versions.. and trust me... it shows how actually trash the DC version was.. cutting out cutscenes, implementing stiff flash animated clips instead .. changing dialogue etx

[@antfrancis9941]

Do you remember that puzzle from silent hill with the missing piano key? Not only did you have to find the key but then you had to play a sequence of notes based on a small puzzle you had. Took me weeks (& with the brains of my girlfriend) to solve the puzzle. & remember this was the days before the internet & youtube. Unless you worked it out for yourself, or you knew someone who worked it out or you happened upon a magazine (remember them?) that had a walk-through, you were screwed.

[@CaptHotah]

Nostalgia hitting hard right now

[@Jiren261]

I'll grab this as BS is one of my favorite franchises and I have the original in almost every form at this point

[@Smurfageful]

Its the best too lol

[@bizarro_raven]

I played Broken Sword 2 - 5 but never played Broken Sword 1 this is an absolute treat to play in 4K widescreen! Aside from LucasArts point n' clicks. Broken Sword series is one of my favourites. Hope they redo the entire series. I'm playing Reforged right now!

[@WanderingDiabetic]

This takes me back to being a teen

[@ZealSeraph]

The only versions I played before were the nearly unplayable PS1 version, and the director's cut on the Wii, which had some changes I didn't enjoy. As long as Reforged remains true to the original while doing away with the performance issues of the PS1 port, it's exactly what I've been hoping for.

[@benwilliams5760]

It looks beautiful, but as a big fan since it originally came out, I do wish they'd added a mode that changed the location of items just to keep oldies like me on their toes!

[@redknight4805]

I dont understand how lack of new content would be off-putting to new players? I mean, they never played the game before, so why would they care about that? And even for us who have finished this game before, numerous times - new content is good only if it doesnt make things worse. Case and point, Brolen Sword Director's Cut added a bunch of new things, but all the additions clashed with the original both in terms of style, quality and pacing. So, no... I think lack of new content isnt a problem at all.

[@markklima2582]

It’s worth your time it’s amazing love this game back in the day and it made me feel like a kid again it’s one of my fav games get it well worth it

[@Angelus3K]

You mention you sometimes miss the old graphics, it sounds like you didn’t know you can switch to the old graphics at any time lol, you don’t mention this fact at all! R3 on PS5.

[@GameVaultHQ-5]

You're totally right! I didn’t mention that you can switch to the old graphics in the review-good catch! The ability to toggle between the modern and classic visuals is an awesome feature. I love that they included it for nostalgia’s sake. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@Onmysheet]

Is there a PS4 release?

[@bizarro_raven]

PS5 only

[@Onmysheet]

@@bizarro_raven That sucks. If it's accessible on the Switch, I'm sure the PS4 can.

[@bizarro_raven]

@Onmysheet I bought the game yesterday on the PS Store. It only had the PS5 badge on it not the PS5/PS4 joint together like some games.

[@bizarro_raven]

@Onmysheet Nope, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series S/X and PC.

[@FlashesDaF1]

You quote something that grabs the attention when we play Reforged: the audio quality of the dialogues. They could have easily used AI to improve quality. Don't know why they did not use that...

[@bollywongaloid]

They did upscale the audio quality using AI, it’s just the best they could do with the material they had.

[@swedichboy1000]

Having played the original, i am not one to heap on the obvious amount of work and effort that went into making the Reforged version, but why on earth would they use Vector graphics? Its just not seamless. I dunno, it gives me a Mobile game feel.

[@GameVaultHQ-5]

The use of vector graphics in Broken Sword: Reforged can feel a bit jarring, especially if you're a fan of the original’s hand-drawn look. Part of this shift is because they used AI to assist with upscaling the sprites and smoothing out the visuals for higher resolutions including 4K. While it helps make the game look sharper on modern displays, it can give off that "mobile game" vibe you mentioned. It’s a balancing act between keeping the classic style and modernizing it for today’s tech. Hope the core gameplay still shines through for you despite that!

[@wboeren1]

Sounds like there is room for a reforged remastered.

[@Coldsilfur4]

And why do you come to that conclusion?... toxic comment, thats all

[@wboeren1]

@@Coldsilfur4 because the reviewer clearly says there is room for improvement. I am playing the directors cut, that seems just fine for 2 euro. Very toxic to say off course.

[@Coldsilfur4]

@@wboeren1 then watch the comparison video on YT to see how trashy the DC is compared to reforged and the OG.. roflmao

[@Yutappy99]

£24.99 for a graphical update and no discount for owners of the original. I pass thanks.

[@Coldsilfur4]

Dude.. For every other remake out there you pay more! Do you know how much time it took to remake it that way? Its not just an upscale, the backgrounds and all are completely redrawn, with new tip systems etc.. so disrespectful to cry about 30 Euros.. wtf! These are the people who nowdays pay 5 dollars for a game when its "on saaaale" .. go work and maybe you can afford 30 Euro for a very faithful remake!

[@TheDneaves]

Since when do people get discount for owning an original? 🙄

[@basschoenmakers5982]

The original is from 1996.....did i get a free copy of FFVII remake? Or Persona 3R? Just don't comment if you have nothing usefull to say

[@wboeren1]

@@Yutappy99 it seems the fanboys cant handle any negative comments. Al keyboard warriors.

[@Coldsilfur4]

@@wboeren1 it has to do with the fact, that there was no case in gaming history where you receive an upgrade of a game that is over 29 years old for free.... if you come with BS reasons to hate.. then live with critique yourself.. easy as that

[@Tocy777isback0414]

4:25 yeah but kinda wrong, you can turn on recovered lost parts that was in the original script but not included in the first game