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Good ... not great

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 23 / 25
Date: April 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

First a confession: I'm a lousy (albeit enthusiastic) gamester. I had to rely on a walkthrough just to get through a Nancy Drew game (I'm NOT a youngster, by the way).

So, when I say I was able to play the entire game with almost no 'hints' you get an idea of how relatively easy it is. That's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I preferred it over the completely illogical and complex Myst-type puzzles.

The story was a bit hokey (and that's being kind) and I don't understand why they had to "hunk" up George. If I'm not mistaken, in the first Broken Sword game he was a bit of a bumbling nerd -- but charming and at least not an Indiana Jones clone. And does every female character in these games have to look like Lara Croft, with the obligatory short shorts???? Let's try something different once in a while!

Still, that didn't detract too much from the fun of the game. Oddly enough, once I got used to the controls, I didn't have any trouble moving the characters around and I thought the graphics were very well done for the most part.

I did have a few other 'pet peeves' I need to get off my chest, such as:

a) Nico's constantly stretching and flicking link off her shoulder -- these gestures were annoying and distracting. Was the stretching some adolescent male programmer's idea of sexy, perhaps?

b) no way to bypass certain cut scenes so if you did "die" you had to sit through them again (and again and again).

c) when both Nico and George appeared together, the graphics were terrible. She kept disappearing and reappearing, flicking around the screen, etc. Not a glitch, exactly, just poorly done.

d) too many dumb "move the boxes" puzzles. For once, I was good at something and by the time the end game came I though if I had to shove one more box around the screen, I'll kill George and Nico myself and align myself with Sussaro (the bad guy).

Okay, lots of pet peeves and complaints ... but I still give the game a 4 since, compared to so many other adventure games, it had enough good moments -- at a good price -- to put it ahead of the pack.

The rebirth of a genre

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 18 / 18
Date: November 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Having been a huge fan of the two previous Broken Sword games I eagerly anticipated the release of the third installment in this brilliant graphic adventure series. I struggled with the rating of this game, I wanted to give it the full 5 stars but unfortunately there are one or two minor niggles which do detract from the overall enjoyment factor. But let's focus on the positives first, and there are plenty. BS:TSD is a tale of epic adventure, exploration and intrigue. Our intrepid heroes, George Stobbart and Nico Collard are once again thrust into a world riddled with ancient conspiracies and secret codes as they attempt to unravel the truth about a mysterious earth energy known as dragon power.

From the outset, George ends up getting stranded in the Congo after the plane he was in crashes, whilst Nico witnesses the murder of a man in a Parisian apartment block, until eventually their two stories intertwine and they learn that they are both investigating the same case. Graphically this game is beautiful. The backgrounds are lovingly crafted, colours are vibrant and vivid, lighting and shadow effects are spot on, character animation is second to none and the lip synching is superb. It is a fully realised 3D world and the attention to detail is incredible. The music is suitably moody and atmospheric and the voice acting (George is once again voiced by Rolf Saxon as in the previous two games) is of a very high quality.

Movement of George and Nico is with the arrow keys and there are four action mapped keys corresponding to the icons on screen, i.e, look, use, etc. This new interface takes about five minutes to get used to and is simple enough. Of course, the integral part of any adventure game are it's puzzles and this is where the first criticism can be levelled. Whilst almost always fun and logical to figure out they are a bit on the easy side and seasoned adventurers will rarely have trouble progressing. Quite simply, there are'nt any that match the complexity found in the previous games and this is a slight disappointment. And there are crate puzzles too. Lots of them. Whilst initially enjoyable there are far too many of them and they do tend to disrupt the flow of the game.

There are also action elements implemented into the gameplay. Frequently you will find yourself leaping across chasms, shimmying across ledges and climbing walls. Another new feature are the timed action events in which you are put in danger and must react quickly. This simply involves pressing the only key available at the time, and even if you do die the game restarts from the point where you made the fatal error so you don't need to load a saved game and lose any progress you may have made. Occasionally, stealth will have to be employed to evade guards and dogs. This sometimes leads to awkward, confusing camera angles in conjunction with the character's movement, although by and large the camera often conveys a wonderfully cinematic feel to the proceedings.

Paris, Glastonbury, Prague and Egypt are just some of the locations you will visit and explore, among others, and you will meet and interact with an interesting cast of characters, gathering information and vital clues to assist you further. The dialogue between George and Nico is often humorous, at times touching and a narrative high point in the script. There are also references to people and events from the two previous games, so although BS:TSD can be played as a stand alone adventure it's best to play the other two games first or it might seem a little mystifying. Another slight disappointment is that the game is a bit on the short side and leaves you wanting more.

One or two minor irritations aside, Broken Sword The Sleeping Dragon is a wonderfully told tale, with rich, detailed environments, a movie quality script and acting, and is a fitting conclusion to an outstanding trilogy.

GREAT GAME!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 16 / 16
Date: August 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Okay I'll admit I was weary of buying this game as I'd heard it wasn't really an adventure but more of a hybrid. I found this to be compeletly false. This is strictly a third person view, adventure game. While not the normal point and click (you have to use the arrow keys like in Grimg Fandango and SOMETIMES a choice of up to four keys). I disagree with the previous reiveiw that this was hard to do without a joystick. I don't own a joystick as the only games I play are adventure games. While I will admit the game controls took me about five minutes to figure out, it didn't take away any enjoyment of the game, in fact it feel as though I'd just sloved the first puzzle! Honestly from me I felt the use of these buttons incorperated more enjoyment, with this game as sometimes (when George or Nico would have to climb a wall by pressing w or do they jump by pressing s)was a puzzle all in itself. There by making the game feel more real and the puzzles fully a part of the game. Also while I only play adventure games I am mediocore at them at best often falling to the use of walkthroughs. I found I only had to look at a walkthrough for this on the first stealth sequence as I'd never had to do one before. Yes there are some places that require stealth however the timing is easy to do, and for a person who hasn't played a game other than an adventure since pac man, I still didn't have too much trouble with it I can honestly say it didn't distract from the game. My only complaint was I felt the story could have used a bit more of an ending but with broken sword 4 currently in the works I don't mind too much :). I really loved this game and I rarley say that, infact the last time I liked a game enough to review it was.... the longest journey. I love the direction and chance this company took with trying out something different from the same old point and click (I never thought I'd type that before!) and hope to see more games like it in the future. Trust me if you liked the Gaberial Knight series or if you just want a good adventure check this game out.

A game for history buffs

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 15 / 15
Date: December 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Have you ever wondered about the Voynich Manuscript? How about the Knights Templar? Did you know why Solomon's Temple is so important to Christians and Knights Templar both? Did you ever wonder why the ancient Egyptians might have built their pyramids? Or what made Excalibur so powerful?

If you were ever curious about any of the above--or just wanted a good wine recommendation and the chance to solve some intriguing puzzles without once touching a gun this game is for you.

I am not a gamer and, to be honest, this is the very first game I finished. I quite literally could not leave it alone--the story and the puzzles alike kept me glued to my keyboard and monitor. For in this game you as Niko and George travel to the Congo, Europe, England, Middle East, and back to England, encountering mythological characters from around the globe. In what other game out this season can you find a dragon and Anubis side-by-side?

And, of course, the good guys never, ever touch a gun. Who needs bullets if you have smarts? But smarts you most definitely need. Puzzle after intriguing puzzle await you here. And you cannot skip the cut scenes in this game--this is not a cut and slash game where the object is to kill anything that moves; here the cut scenes hold clues you will need to save the world.

In fact, saving the world is about the only thing this game has in common with the slash-and-burn games we have all seen so often. But then, after all, it IS a game.

And a truly fantastic one at that.

A Big Disappointment

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 18 / 23
Date: February 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I eagerly awaited this 3rd episode and was very disappointed. The graphics are not as good as the 1st two games, and the use of the arrow keys, rather than the mouse, was cumbersome. I r ead that the creators of the game say that this is the future of adventure games. I certainly hope not as, in my opinion, the mouse action is so much smoother. The rich color of the 1st two games was amazing, and since this game is several years ahead, I expected more in the way of lush graphics. It was not there. It was difficult to get the characters to move in straight lines. I found the game concentrated too much on eye-hand quick coordination to get through many parts, rather than logic. I did not enjoy spending hours trying to progress through the game by learning which keys to press, in which order, and doing it without missing a beat. To me, that is not an "adventure game" but rather a game of beating the clock. I finally through in the towel about 3/4 through.

A fast-food adventure game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: January 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Not to discourage adventure game makers, since there are so few these days, I must say that this game is not the goal to aim for. While it is a good game, an enjoyable game in many respects, it represents a lone voice in a current adventure vacuum. After playing it from start to finish within 5 days, I have to say several things; it is very easy, in terms of logic challenges. Ever heard of the old slip a newspaper under a door and poke out the key from the inside lock and gain access puzzle? This is that kind of game. This is the kind of game that gives you a small area to explore, and all the answers are right there, and the challenge is minimal. Also there are action-based challenges, which are fine, but sort of transform the game into a reflexive rather than cerebral arena.
This game also owes a major debt to Gabriel Knight 3, which is a superior game. There are too many similarities in detail to be mistaken, but the major difference is that Gabriel Knight was written exceptionally well, and Broken Sword is merely adequate. The BS story takes you along to the next little episode, but doesn't quite bring all the parts together. When the final confrontion comes about, I was reminded of Asmodeus from GK3, until the action was over and the story was resolved. In the case of George and Nico, it didn't really come to anything, so I'm holding out for Broken Sword 4. I admit, I'll play it, since there are so few choices these days. But I have to say, I care so much more about Gabriel and Grace, and the ending of GK3 left me feeling more for two fictional characters than any movie or other game ever has.
Sorry, George and Nico are lightweights. They don't have depth, and the series has never made the leap of genius, but they are fun for the short time that the game requires mastery of.
I can't wait to play Jane Jensen's upcoming game, but I don't want it rushed out. I hope that The Adventure Company will take their time and do it right. A five-star game is what we all want.

Great classic adventure with all new style

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: June 01, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Broken Sword 3 takes the classic adventure gameplay of the first two games, and gives it a whole new slant by switching everything to 3D, and it works wonderfully for the most part. If you've played Grim Fandango, imagine a much-improved version of that engine, and you can picture what BS3 is like. Unlike in Grim Fandango, though, the controls here felt intuitive right from the beginning. I've read several reviews that complained about how cumbersome this game is, but I can't imagine what problems those people encountered. I'll be the first to admit that I'm lousy at handling anything other than the simplest interface when it comes to gaming, and BS3 just felt natural from the very first puzzle.
One thing I really enjoyed about BS3 is that it just felt more "adventurous" than most adventure games. This is due in part to the way you must perform Tomb Raider like maneuvers at certain points (shimmying along ledges, stacking crates, jumping gaps, etc.) Don't worry, though, it's still purely an adventure game, and you won't need to rely on twitch-reflexes to get through these portions of the game.
There are, however, a few sequences in which you will need some good reflexes. For the most part, these sequences play out like scenes from the classic laser-disc game Dragon's Lair, and it's merely a matter of moving in the right direction at the right time. If you screw it up, the game kindly lets you try again, even if you neglected to save recently.
Storywise, this one is pretty solid. There's a fairly complex plot involving the knights templar, and there are enough twists to keep you interested throughout. I liked the fact that George and Nico (the two playable protagonists) start out with seemingly unrelated storylines in different parts of the world, and it isn't until later that you realize how everything is connected. It's a good technique that's rarely (if ever) seen in games.
One word of caution-be sure to update your drivers before playing this. I couldn't get the game to load at all until I updated my sound and graphics drivers. However, once I did so, everything ran smoothly, and I didn't encounter any bugs at all, and that's a rare treat these days!

Brilliant story, beautifully rendered

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: December 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was a long time fan of the first two Broken Sword games and eagerly anticipated the release of number 3. I was a little worried at first with the move to 3D, concerned that it would turn into just another 'Tomb Raider' style game, where nimbleness of fingers was more important than dexterity of brain. Thankfully, this was not the case.

The puzzles start of absurdly easy, which was a bit of a worry, but thankfully became more challenging as the game went on. The story is intriguing (even if you are not particularly interested in the Knights Templar, it is a great murder-mystery), the graphics are beautiful and the characters are given voice by real actors.

(n.b. I played this on the PS2, but Amazon appears not to have a listing for that platform).

best game experience since syberia!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: November 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Just givin' a quick review here. Just to let ya'll know for me Syberia really set the standard for me. So when I say that this game is the best experience I've had since Syberia I am saying A LOT!! Some of the best graphics I've seen in awhile. 5.1 sound. I recommend the use of headphones for a more immersive experience. And one of the creepiest villians i've seen in a game. Good Times!

Sadly in 3D, which results in awful controls

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: September 17, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Why is it that any game company which has successfully produced great comic style adventure seems to believe that today's good adventures *have* to be in 3D? After Lucasarts, it is saddening to see that Revolutions chose the same path for the sequel to Broken Sword. Rather than presenting an easy to handle, mouse controlled game, they released a game which seems to require quick fingers rather than the kognitive ability to solve riddles.

The awful controls of the game spoil the gaming fun to a large extent, particularly since there are several scenes in the game which require a fast reaction from the player. And so one often finds oneself repeating the same part of the game over and over again, just because one can't seem to get the 4 different keys the scene requires timed correctly.

Also negative points for the lack of a gamma slider - many of the rooms in game are so dark, it's difficult to see much when playing during the day.

Then again, the game is at times far too easy and requires little thought. Important objects are marked by a blinking star, so it doesn't take a whole lot of thinking to figure out what to take along or to use.
It's almost completely unnecessary to save the game any time other than when logging off, because the game will automatically replay sequences that were failed. As it is impossible to save the game during these sequences, the repeated replaying of the longish scenes tends to get somewhat annoying.

Despite these issues, the game does get a few stars for its good, solid riddles, its overall good story and the fame of its prequels.

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