The Reforged edition of the hit 1996 adventure Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars just expanded to Nintendo Switch.
Publisher Revolution Software launched Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged on Switch consoles on November 7. This meant Switch players and owners could get their hands on the game at a retail price of US$29.99.
Revolution Software founder Charles Cecil promised the game’s visuals to 'look stunning.' Both on the handheld’s screen and on high-resolution TVs when docked.'
The new Switch game also boasted of carefully restored art, enhanced audio, and engaging new gameplay options.'
The 'Reforged' version of the first Broken Sword game came out in 2023. It still follows the adventures of American tourist George Stobbart and journalist Nico Collard. In the game, players step into the shoes of Stobbart and Collard.
The game is set across multiple locations. From the vibrant streets of Paris to the mountains of Syria and Spain’s coastal shores. Players must then guide the duo as they uncover secrets tied to the mysterious Knights Templar.
For Reforged, Revolution Software worked with Don Bluth’s original layout artists to repaint the game’s backgrounds. Each of the 30,000 character sprites has also been reanimated for a more immersive experience.
In addition, developers re-engineered its audio to highlight the game’s voice acting. They also enhanced the soundtrack composed by the late Barrington Pheloung.
Shadow of the Templars: Reforged also introduces a “story mode”. It aims to balance narrative progression and gameplay, according to developers. But fans can also switch to the classic 1996 version with the game's 'traditional mode.'
Known for its engaging narratives and challenging puzzles, the Broken Sword franchise first came out in 1996. Upon its release, the game became a critical and commercial success.
Since then, it sold over half a million copies on PlayStation alone. It now has a playscore of 9.2 on PlayStation 5, becoming one of the best PS5 games of all time.
The series has also become a beloved staple in the adventure genre, with a fan base that spans several generations.