Broken Sword:
The Shadow of the Templars

Published by BAM! Entertainment
Designed by Revolution
Platform: GBA
Out Now
Price £29.99

Many moons ago PC and PSone gamers enjoyed an adventure game by the name of Broken Sword. Programmed by Revolution, who had previously bought us Lure of the Temptress and Beneath a Steel Sky, the game focused on George Stobbart who whilst on holiday in Paris, witnesses an explosion and the death of an old man. Almost immediately George suspects that something is wrong and with the aid of his initiative and a French female photographer named Nico he soon finds out the terrible nature of the organisation that killed the old man. So several years later the game has arrived on the Gameboy Advance. For those of you that played the PC/PSone version be prepared to be amazed because the game is identical.

The previous versions of Broken Sword were point 'n' click. Obviously this would have been a chore to play on the GBA had Broken Sword not been reworked to suit the handheld console. Revolution decided to give the player direct control of George, the main character, and it was a fantastic decision as it feels very natural.

Excellent use has been made of the GBA's buttons. Pressing the 'R' button will highlight an object that can be interacted with. Further presses of the 'R' button will cycle you through all the objects that can be interacted with and whilst you are doing this you can press the 'B' button to give you an explanation of the item. The 'L' button brings up your inventory. The 'A' button acts as your default button for interacting with objects and progressing conversations.

Graphically the game is superb and as good as you could possibly hope to wish for on a GBA. All of the games locations are a work of art and are wonderfully rich in both colour and detail. As far as GBA games go, visually at least, Broken Sword is now the game to beat.

Of course being a GBA game, Broken Sword gives all the information and dialogue completely in text. To make it better all the conversations use static text and you have to press the 'A' button to continue. The text is wonderfully legible even on the small GBA screen.

Broken Sword must be considered one of the finest games on the GBA. The slow paced, thoughtful nature of the game means that it will not appeal to every gamer under the sun but for those who even have a slight interest in adventure games, Broken Sword is a must. Finally in case you are wondering the game comes with three independent save game slots so other members of your family can share the experience too which is fantastic.

Overall Game Rating: 9.0/10 Broken Sword has been given a superb translation to the GBA. Reworked controls and beautiful graphics are combined with classic adventure gaming to give the GBA a showpiece title.

Deaf Gamers comment: Broken Sword is absolutely beautiful for a deaf gamer. All information is given in text and all conversations are given using static text that requires a button press to continue. Broken Sword is highly recommended.