The genre-defining adventure will launch on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC in glorious high-definition
Revolution Software’s highly anticipated game, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged, is set to hit consoles and PC on September 19th, 2024. The developers are excited to bring this enhanced version of the classic adventure game to both original fans and new players alike.
Originally released in 1996, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars quickly garnered a passionate fan base with its gripping narrative and challenging gameplay. Now, nearly three decades later, the game is getting a major upgrade with a complete revamp of its graphics, audio, and user experience.
At 2023’s Gamescom event in Köln, Revolution Software announced that Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged would be hitting shelves with much fanfare. The game takes players on a journey through the streets of Paris and to various exotic locations as they follow the tale of George and Nico, two adventurers on a quest for ancient artifacts.
One of the major enhancements in this new version is the completely repainted backgrounds. The original line art drawn by Don Blooth layout artists has been updated to provide a more visually stunning experience. The sprites have also been reanimated, bringing the characters to life in a whole new way. And the audio has been given a boost, with an enhanced soundtrack composed by the late great Barrington Pheloung.
But the upgrades don’t just stop at the aesthetics. Revolution Software has also redefined adventure gameplay for modern players with a new “story mode” feature. This mode dynamically balances narrative and gameplay progression, offering a more seamless and immersive experience.
Known for combining scripts laced with sharp wit and logical but challenging puzzles, Broken Sword is a celebrated franchise within the adventure genre, having first released on PC and PlayStation back in 1996. The original release became an instant classic, having sold half a million copies on PlayStation alone, and was voted one of the best PlayStation games ever by Official PlayStation Magazine readers. A re-released Director’s Cut of the original game went on to enjoy similar success 15 years later, amassing over 5 million downloads.
Broken Sword remains one of the genre’s most acclaimed series, featuring in top adventure game lists to this day.
In Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged, you will:
- Step out onto the streets of Paris as American tourist George Stobbart finds himself embroiled in a mysterious journey of intrigue and jeopardy.
- Enjoy a globe-spanning adventure, exploring exotic locations, solving ancient mysteries, and thwarting a dark conspiracy to reveal the secret truths of the Knights Templar.
- Voyage through the game’s iconic locations illustrated in beautiful 4K (on supported formats) on PC and contemporary consoles for the first time ever.
- Listen to enhanced audio as Revolution delivers the finest, most stunning version of George and Nico’s original adventure to date.
- Switch between the original 1996 version of the game and the new reforged visuals at the click of a button.
- Play the game the way that you want to – choose between a ‘traditional mode’ for people who enjoy adventures the way they used to be, and a ‘story mode’ for those who want subtle hints to ensure they never get frustrated
Founder and CEO of Revolution Software, Charles Cecil, says, “Point and click offers a simple interface from which captivating, challenging gameplay emerges. But the user experience has remained unchanged since the ’90s when Broken Sword redefined the genre. Our research suggested that gamers now prefer a more contemporary experience. Broken Sword has a hugely passionate fan base, which runs over three generations. With these graphic and user experience enhancements, we look forward to hearing from fans once the game crosses over, once again, to a fourth generation who love narrative-driven games.”
Due to its timeless appeal and loyal fan base, Broken Sword has stood the test of time. And now, with this new version, it’s poised to capture the hearts of a whole new generation of adventure game fans. The game will be available digitally on PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Windows, macOS, and Linux) on September 19th, 2024.
With its stunning graphics, enhanced audio, and modern gameplay features, Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged promises to be a must-play for gamers of all ages. So mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a thrilling adventure through the picturesque streets of Paris and beyond. The wait may be long, but it will undoubtedly be worth it.