I remember seeing Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars bundled together with a host of other free games on discs, although I only had eyes for Broken Sword. This was round about 1996, when my dad had just gotten a new PC.
I didn't know what to expect when I popped the disc into the PC's
disc drive. All I knew was that the imagery on the Broken Sword discs looked intriguing and full of exciting promise. That promise was fulfilled.The very first scene in which I took control of George Stobbart, the game's protagonist, is burned into my memory. The lush backdrop of the city of Paris, with leaves blowing across the screen, and minor but wonderful details like post boxes, litter, and atmospheric sounds, together with some enchanting background music... All combined into an intoxicating mix that drove me forward to the conclusion of the game's plot.
The blend of humour and tension in the game's story is just right, and has not been matched by many other games, or even by any of the other Broken Sword games (not that they're not worth playing!). The game gives George and Nico (a French journalist who he meets fairly early on) more than enough space to breathe and play off each other, from exchanging gentle barbs, to helping each other through tense, explosive situations. I came to develop a genuine affection for both of them - for George's smart-ass, improvisational antics, and for Nico's sharp brain and sharper tongue. Even many of the side characters, such as Duane Henderson, are endearing in their own right, and have become recurring characters in the other Broken Sword titles.
The sweet satisfaction at the ending credits, made sweeter by the rousing music that accompanied it, still lingers. It makes me want to adventure onwards to other worthwhile tales, to meet memorable characters, and to explore new locations riddled with mystery and history.
Note: One unfortunate caveat is that the original version may be difficult or impossible to find, at least through legal means. GOG.com is one of the storefronts that sells the Director's Cut, which is obviously better than not having access to the game at all, although people who have played the original may feel that the Director's Cut has compromised too much on the visuals and some story elements. I would still recommend it, though, for anyone looking for an old-fashioned adventure game that feels like playing inside an interactive animated movie. You can purchase the game at the GOG.com store page for Broken Sword: Director's Cut.
