Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. GameSpot
    92
    Beautifully illustrated, hand-painted graphics combined with an entertainingly twisted plot makes this an eye-catching adventure to savor.
  2. Quandary
    90
    I thoroughly appreciated it from the opening sequence and found I didn't want to stop playing even when I was tired.
  3. TotalGames.net
    90
    The presentation of the game is spot-on and it's an interesting challenge for those hardened adventurers who prefer a who-dunnit puzzler to a comical romp in the park.
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Gamezilla!
    82
    The other thing that depressed me was that with everything Circle of Blood had going for it -- a great plot, good acting, wonderful animation and elaborate background graphics -- most of the puzzles were too easy.
  6. PC Gamer
    80
    It's entertaining, challenging, and worth playing, but it's not a graphic adventure that will blow you away. [Jan 1997, p.234]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    From start to finish, Circle of Blood is a professional, polished work of art. All elements of game play are refined to the extreme, and as with any great novel (or after you've thumbed past the picture section of certain adult magazines,) you'll feel a sense of loss when the story concludes.
  8. All Game Guide
    80
    This game will keep you hooked all the way up to its finale. Even after completion, you may opt to go through it a second or even third time.
  9. Yahoo!
    80
    Plays fairly well. I say 'fairly', and not brilliantly because Broken Sword seems a little too linear places. Unlike The Pandora Directive, you only have access to a few locations at one time, and once you enter a new area, such as Spain, you can't leave till you're finished there.
  10. Game Revolution
    42
    Since it's fairly easy to find all the necessary objects, and you can safely talk to every character about almost every object, it's not much of a challenge to finish the game. There's only one storyline, one ending, and one mode of play (i.e. easy), so you're not likely to play the game through more than once.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 1996
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 1996

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. IamKing
    Feb 3, 2012
    10
    This is a classic in the Adventure gaming genre. It is one of the best adventures ever to be made, perhaps the best. Congratulations toThis is a classic in the Adventure gaming genre. It is one of the best adventures ever to be made, perhaps the best. Congratulations to Revolution Software, that was one of the rare companies that could compete with LucasArts/Sierra classics. #Perfection… Full Review »
  2. GaryM.
    Aug 29, 2008
    10
    Absolutely gorgeous artwork. The music and sound effects all blend wonderfully with the scenes. The story is very interesting and the flow Absolutely gorgeous artwork. The music and sound effects all blend wonderfully with the scenes. The story is very interesting and the flow and pace of the game works extremely well. Sure it is a point and click, but a person should know this before going into it. If you don't like point and click games, then stay away. It isn't a pixel hunt game, all items you interact with are easily visible but you do need to investigate each scene and find out what you need to discover. I do so wish this game would come out again in 3d. It would be the first game I would probably buy before reading a review. Outstanding game experience.… Full Review »
  3. FremanD.
    Feb 25, 2008
    10
    Shadow of the templars seems to flow, which is rare with an adventure game. Yet it retains that "adventure" kind of spirit. Highly Shadow of the templars seems to flow, which is rare with an adventure game. Yet it retains that "adventure" kind of spirit. Highly recommended. The graphics may seem dated now, but I think they are artistic in their own way.… Full Review »
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