Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse Reviews
Involving, if at times perhaps too keen to handhold, The Serpent's Curse has the intrigue of a novel and the sedateness of an afternoon stroll. An acquired taste undeniably, but one worth trying.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent’s Curse doesn’t do anything special for the point-and-click genre, but that’s perfectly fine as it does exactly what it sets out to do. As a fan of the first two games, this was what I wanted. Not everything is perfect, such as the animations and some inconsistent voice acting. However, if you’re a fan, you will find a lot more to love than the average player.
Director Charles Cecil and his team at Revolution have done a grand job.
As a whole that’s the gist of what’s most crucial to know about Broken Sword 5, that its production values are top notch, it’s story is an interesting ride, and that it has its own sense of humor that’s more reserved than the typical genre fare. If you’re not much of an adventure fan I don’t think it will cause a change of heart since it is unapologetically a member of the genre in a classic way, reminiscent of earlier classic titles in many regards. That said, among its brethren on the Switch it does an above average job at remaining interesting, not relying solely on silliness to keep you engaged, and helping you avoid getting stuck in trying to figure out what you need to do next. For genre fans it’s a quality pick-up.
The Nintendo Switch has turned out to be a fantastic new home for this game, as the portability, touch screen and joy-con support lend much freedom as to how you choose to play this game.
This intentionally slow, character development-centered, and fluid piece of art is worthy of admiration.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is the first of the two-part adventure, and its story cooks just right for players longing for more. The story suddenly ends just when you think there is enough evidence and theories for a possible conclusion.
Part one of Broken Sword: The Serpent's Curse sets a decent standard for the franchise. In a return to its roots it shows that a beautifully imagined 2D world can still be engaging and relevant. Its puzzles are varied without being over-strenuous, but the game's narrative makes them feel somewhat linear, which could put some gamers off. Overall though it's a worthwhile purchase, assuming the second half can maintain the same standard or even surpass it.
A fun adventure that takes a while to get going but when it does, Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse becomes a thrilling adventure hindered by its beginning.
In the end, Broken Sword 5 is worth playing if you enjoy story-driven games that do require more than minimal interaction, or if you enjoy solving puzzles. While there are some issues with the animation and voice acting, don't let that deter you too much as the plot and artwork are more than worth putting up with those issues.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse has some excellent voice acting, peerless artwork and some thoroughly enjoyable puzzles, that just about compensates for a story that occasionally feels rushed or unfocused.
Broken Sword 5 delivers a competent point-and-click, with a cast of colorful characters, a rollicking-if-cheesy adventure, and solid puzzle design. Some minor issues with gameplay and puzzle design don't harm the game's quality too much, and in such an undeserved genre they're forgivable. The biggest issue with the game is that it is a bit too married to convention both in plot and gameplay. Broken Sword 5 won't stick with like classics of the point-and-click Golden Age, but it's still a solid adventure and I'll be keeping my eyes open for future (and past) travels of George and Nico.
As much as I've enjoyed playing The Serpent's Curse again, it's high time George and Nico had a new adventure.
Broken Sword 5 features a story that slowly uncovers but leaves you hanging for more and a plot that is grand but equally simple enough to grasp. The puzzles are once more the highlight here, but the controls will take some time to get used to, and even then, they are not that extraordinary.
Joining many other quality examples of its genre on Switch, Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse continues the series' excellent storytelling and puzzle structure, with what is sure to please both fan and newcomer alike with fiendish brainteasers and the optional hint system. A more contained story structure, and character movement hitches aside, point-and-click adventure devotees will find a lot to love here.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is a point-and-click adventure that harkens back to the great titles that inspired it. Its puzzles are challenging, and completing them gives the player a great sense of accomplishment. If you want a true gaming challenge that will stretch your mind and endurance, then this is the game for you.
All in all, Broken Sword 5 is a good adventure with good visuals, a good story, and enjoyable puzzle segments. It's not the hardest, it's not the best, and it certainly comes at a price point many won't find acceptable, but it's an enjoyable experience nonetheless.
For fans of the series, there's enough glittery nostalgia and polish in Broken Sword: The Serpent's Curse to gloss over the rough edges. The lighthearted banter, the brightly colored scenes, enticing mystery, and solid puzzles make this something that the original Kickstarter campaign promised: "fan service aimed directly at those aching to experience one more story involving one of adventure gaming's favorite teams."
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is very much a title at odds with itself, as it's stuck half way between offering a classic point-and-click adventure and being a more modern experience. As a result, it can be somewhat hard to recommend.
Revolution is back in a big way, bringing together everything that made the original Broken Sword so joyous to play. Clever puzzles, intuitive controls, stacks of humour and an array of characters that excite and frustrate in equal measure. As for the story…well, when hitting that 50% completion mark to see in the conclusion of Chapter 1, there will be a definite hunger for more. Exhilarating, hilarious, brain teasing and providing a sensory overload, Broken Sword: The Serpent's Curse strikes all the right chords and is by far the adventure game of the year. The king is back!