Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged

Just as it was in 1996, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is an adventure game masterpiece, with Reforged offering players a remarkable trip down memory lane and giving the classic a new lease on life for a new generation of adventurers.

Whether you're a long time fan or a newcomer, this remaster of the classic Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars is likely to have you enraptured from start to finish. Its visuals have been lovingly updated, and while there are some issues with the game's audio, this is undoubtedly the best way to experience George Stobbart's debut adventure. It's just a shame there aren't any extras.

Shadows of the Templars remains one of the best point-and-click games available with superb writing, puzzles, and wit that has stood the test of time.

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars certainly knows how to set a mood. The game opens on a black screen of narration from the main character, setting the scene. Then, a gorgeous 2D animated cutscene follows the flight of a crow through Paris in the Fall, stilling above the brightly coloured awning of a French cafe. Our leading man George Stobbart is sitting there, smiling as the waitress drops off his coffee, not knowing that his vacation is about to get turned on its head.

This is a handsome remaster that will hopefully win over new players, but for those already in love with Broken Sword, something is missing.