Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 96 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 128
  3. Negative: 9 out of 128

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  1. BadByron
    Oct 31, 2010
    4
    In a nutshell, it's Broken Sword minus the heart. The developers killed everything I loved about the strong characters in the original Broken Sword... okay, George is still a little funny, but nothing in comparison to the belly laughs I got playing the first game in the series. Nico is now this strange shallow thing, having somehow lost that quick wit and sharp strategic air she used toIn a nutshell, it's Broken Sword minus the heart. The developers killed everything I loved about the strong characters in the original Broken Sword... okay, George is still a little funny, but nothing in comparison to the belly laughs I got playing the first game in the series. Nico is now this strange shallow thing, having somehow lost that quick wit and sharp strategic air she used to have. As a stand alone game, I would likely rate this game higher because of the good logical puzzles and unique adventure situations, but I feel a lower rating is necessary, because the magic of the series is utterly lost in terms of story, character, and voice acting.… Expand
  2. DAoE
    Jun 26, 2012
    0
    Although the art and music are up to par, this game is a significant downgrade from the previous game in the series as far as writing and gameplay are concerned. The characters are cardboard cutouts of their previous selves, and dialogue is forced at best and poorly scripted - at times accidentally giving the player spoilers about puzzles they have yet to discover, but not allowing themAlthough the art and music are up to par, this game is a significant downgrade from the previous game in the series as far as writing and gameplay are concerned. The characters are cardboard cutouts of their previous selves, and dialogue is forced at best and poorly scripted - at times accidentally giving the player spoilers about puzzles they have yet to discover, but not allowing them to actually do whatever action the character seems to know is necessary until after an arbitrary conversation cue. Speaking of puzzles, they are arbitrary and confusing, and actions with no easily foreseen benefit must be done in a particular order to unlock options that are necessary to proceed. Transitions between major locations are both abrupt and automatic, whisking the player away to the next fairly random location with no warning. As far as game engine concerns: The player walks extremely slowly, especially on large, scrolling screens. You also cannot skip directly to the next screen just by clicking on a "go here" area anymore: you must watch the character walk the entire way. These problems are compounded by the large number of puzzles where you must walk back and forth between semi-distant locations in order to proceed. There are often long, awkward pauses between clicking on something and the resultant conversation or action beginning. It is extremely easy to accidentally skip entire cutscenes, which you cannot pause during in any way, and skipping through dialogue (mostly in cases where I had seen it already : The save system could use some work) seems marginally slower. The last, minor issue is just that the game seems a little bit short, and there's often no resolution for the minor subplots that come up before one is whisked away. Overall, this game could have been much better than it is. If it had good gameplay, it could have been a smoothly worked adventure with a mediocre story. If it had a great story, one could look past the engine to just enjoy the narrative. As it is? I guess I'll just hope the third one is better.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 1997
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 1997
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 1997

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Just Adventure
    50
    One way this game falls a bit short is that the story seems a bit rushed and confused. The main villain is so far in the background that he's almost invisible.
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  2. Quandary
    80
    The puzzles are generally entertaining and fun to solve and the game sweeps you along with its great characters, story, humour and dialogue.
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  3. Gaming Age
    83
    The sound is another area in which The Smoking Mirror excels. Although there isn't a constant soundtrack playing, haunting music often accompanies certain actions, much like the original "Tomb Raider."
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