Broken Sword 5: The Serpents Curse is the fifth instalment in the franchise by Revolution Software and marks a return to the classic epics of the original 2 games. Following George and Nico once again where the series began, in the wonderful environment of Paris. Ditching the sticks controls from the console versions this PC release returns to the point and click style we know and love in Point and Click Adventure games.
This is the review for the Second Episode, for the first go here
Story
Episode One started off with a Gallery being robbed and a rather sought after painting is stolen, “La Maledicció” with the Gallery Owner being shot and killed, George and Nice are thrust into a new adventure together. Following along the Gnostic background of the painting George is between Paris and London to meet the buyer of the Painting, the real owner and a Detective by the name of Lahngnam.
Episode One finishes off with George and Nico escaping a burning artists building to find the Detective Lahngnam walking away from the scene, not giving a helping hand when asked, putting him in the prime suspect corner for the couple.
Episode Two
Moving from Paris, George and Nico head to the old Castell that was shown in the beginning Cutscene in the Spanish Catalonia. The Castell was the original resting place of the Painting the whole conspiracy is centred on, so it must hold clues for why it is so important and why so many people are willing to kill to get it. Though upon approaching the Castell the heroes are shot at and they must take cover from the fire.
After reaching the Castell, George and Nico meet back up with the original Owner of the Painting, Marqués. From here they must uncover the puzzle and the meanings behind the painting and why it must be put back within the Castell to uncover the truths behind its creation.
From the Castell, the gang move to a hotspot cathedral where another artefact lies and finishing their quests somewhere within Iraq. Though it feels as if there are fewer places to explore in Episode 2, they don’t feel too underwhelming as there are plenty of clues and puzzles to solve and people to talk to in each scene.
Episode One was around 6-7 hours in length, and the same length can be found within the second episode, making the whole game around 12-13 hours long… if you’re good at the genre. The Second Episode feels doesn’t feel as lengthy as the first one mainly because of the faster pace it follows and the action scenes that occur.
Gameplay
The majority of the gameplay features where described in the first part of this review.
The puzzles within the Second episode are without a doubt harder and more unique, with having to decode a message with coded words in it, having to track down the location of an artefact by finding clue in a house then pinning a map to pinpoint, heheh, the city it resides in and playing a song on buckets and drums. I was thoroughly pleased in the puzzles to be had in the second episode as they posed more of a challenge then the first and had more roundabout ways in their execution.
During the second episode you will mostly take the role of George Stobbart, similarly to the first episode, having the majority of the 6-7 hours playing and solving puzzles in his shoes. Nico Collard again is only played for around 1 hour of Episode two; meaning she is only controlled for around 2-3 hours in the entire game.
Overall Thoughts and Feelings
The second Episode does have a few lacking qualities to it when it is compared to the first episode, but still provides a lot of entertainment to the player, as well as fans by introducing the Goat, one of Georges greatest foes, and his friends from the past Duane and Pearl Henderson. The Second episode also brings in more investigation and new ways to solve puzzles that I don’t remember from any of the other releases which is breath of fresh air.
While it has been said that it is possible to die within this newest release I did not find one single death scene within the entire game which is a bit saddening as the deaths within the first two games in the series really hit home when you made a mistake and made you want to improve a lot more. Within Broken Sword you merely get alternate scenes, George combat rolling away from danger or him giving an inner warning that if he moved he would die.
I give Broken Sword 5: The Serpents Curse Episode Two a 5/5, continuing on from the amazing first episode, the second keeps the great atmosphere and settings that fans have come to learn and love. Most of the annoying parts from this release are more nit-picks then anything and don’t detract too much form the main game. Overall, The Serpents Curse is a great addition to the series and a wonderful call back to old style Point and Click Adventure games. Long Live Trevor the Cockroach!
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
You must be logged in to post a comment.