Few genres can boast as many ‘classic’ titles as point-and-click adventuring, but whilst many of those rose-tinted games survive solely as memories of a bygone era, a select few have managed the transition to graphical modernity without losing much of their original identity. As this iPhone version marks the ninth different platform for developer Charles Cecil’s revered project, Broken Sword has definitely endured the process – proving that charming characterisation and logical puzzle design is a timeless commodity in the videogame world.
For those new to the series, Broken Sword’s grand adventure tells the tale of George Stobbart; a typical twenty-something American male who happens to be sitting in the wrong Parisian cafe at the wrong time. After witnessing an explosion and emerging from the rubble dazed, Stobbart becomes entangled with French newspaper reporter Nico Collard. Their tale then winds itself through crime investigation, political intrigue, fantasy, mimes, clowns, and a healthy dose of cynicist humour.
Traditional inventory management and entertaining dialogue is filtered through striking cartoon visuals, and as difficult as old adventure games can be, Broken Sword neatly straddles that divide between entertainment and challenge. Whilst there are a few head-scratching puzzles that border on frustration, obtuse solutions are largely kept to a minimum, and the ever-present hint system fills in the details whenever necessary.
And if you’ve been here before, the ‘Director’s Cut’ material expands the original to fill in back-story; most of which is playable as Nico. Additional scenes are interspersed throughout, plugging plot holes and considerably improving the narrative. The opening sequence for example, feels as if it should have always been there, adding context to certain actions and neatly setting up an otherwise abrupt meeting.
As for the periphery, those lovingly-crafted visual and aural upgrades are transferred from the Wii version intact. Dave Gibbon’s take on the colourful background illustration leads the eye without clutter or distraction, whilst a full voice-over surpasses the text-only dialogue on the DS. The interface too, is something of a wonder. Dragging your finger on the screen highlights points of interest, and a series of one or two clicks interacts in your chosen manner. It’s simple, effective, and a system I can only hope becomes a standard for iPhone adventurers.
As a portable game then, Broken Sword easily stands the test of time and surpasses most modern attempts at rekindling the genre. As a point-and-click adventure, it’s still the same atmospheric and brooding title that won a loyal cult audience back in 1991; and as an iPhone game, it’s near the top of its class.
9/10
Professional enthusiast, videogame "journalist" and all-round spectacular sofa dweller.
Will try to get this at some point, although i have 1, 2 & 3 on the PC for like £6 from Morrisons, complete with bonus Beneath a Steel Sky.
I’ve still got this in the shrinkwrap on the DS. Although getting this would then mean I could get an iPhone. Tempting.
Did you play it back in the day Sheep? If not, get on it right now!
Loved the Broken Sword series of games, though I don’t have an iPhone, though I can play it on my android phone with an app called scummvm which lets you play lots of old classic point and click adventure games, working through Beneath a Steel Sky at the moment
Loving this recent trend, playing beneath a steel sky and Flashback on my iphone at the moment and hopeing that the lucasarts point and click games get put on there, it’d be nice to hang out with the Polecats again! [Full Throttle reference for those wondering]