Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse Reviews
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is an entertaining title with a few disappointing aspects, including linear puzzles and awkward animations, which makes for a lukewarm revival. If you're a fan of the adventure genre, you'll probably be able to overlook most, if not all, of the shortcomings listed above with very little difficulty. Newcomers, on the other hand, may wish to spend their money elsewhere.
Part mystery, part comedy, this is a classy point-and-click with dazzling art, charming characters, and crackling dialogue. Although slightly overlong and occasionally slow, it feel surprisingly fresh.
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.
Genre fans will of course be happy of this revival, but the writing isn't as good as we hoped.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
While I definitely preferred the first half the second still fits in as "good" and I'm happy to give it a "good" score. Overall Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is probably around a 7.5, and that's despite not featuring any snakes or curses at all. There are goats and pet cockroaches at least, and that's good enough for me.
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse is a solid little point-and-click adventure that's let down by its clunky controls and its sometimes nonsensical puzzles.
It's definitely a shame the animation is so awkward and stiff; it pales in comparison to the visual splendor of the hand-drawn backgrounds, and it's nowhere near as impressive as the graphics of The Shadow of the Templars were in 1996. Still, it'd be an even bigger shame if that put anyone off from experiencing this classically-inspired adventure. This is worth looking into for any fan of the point-and-click genre, and you're not likely to get many more like it on PS4.
It's always a pleasure to meet George and Nico again in their latest adventures to date. The Switch version contains some new features, especially two modes of gameplayand a renewed interface. We only regret a less successfull final act, than before and some illogical riddles which need to refer to the game help.But if you never have played this game, this ''ultimate'' version is an excellent opportunity to discover it.
Review in French | Read full review
A witty, sometimes challenging point and click adventure that will charm new players and delight existing fans.
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."
Veterans of the genre (or series) will no doubt enjoy Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse for what it offers. It's an interesting story, has a plethora of puzzles that need to be solved (regardless of either being too easy or difficult at times), and is simply fun all the way to the closing credits. The few issues I did experience will vary on your love for the genre, and once you've completed it there's really no reason to run through the game again.
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.
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.
Director Charles Cecil and his team at Revolution have done a grand job.
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.
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.
As much as I've enjoyed playing The Serpent's Curse again, it's high time George and Nico had a new adventure.
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 Serpents Curse is a worthy addition to the successful and truly unique series.