Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Reforged - A Classic Adventure Returns in Stunning 4K on PS5

Many of today's Broken Sword fans first encountered the series back in 1996, when a demo of 'Broken Sword – the Shadow of the Templars' graced the cover-mounted CD of the Official PlayStation magazine. It's a testament to the series' enduring appeal that Broken Sword games have consistently found success on PlayStation platforms.

Inspired by the unwavering enthusiasm of fans over the past 30 years, the decision was made to create a substantially enhanced version of the original game for the PlayStation 5. This meant completely redrawing all graphics in stunning 4K resolution - a leap of over 50 times the original PlayStation version. The goal was to ensure that the adventure gameplay felt fresh and contemporary for modern PlayStation audiences.

With over 100 backgrounds and 30,000 sprites (animation frames), creating this Reforged version was a truly colossal undertaking. The original backgrounds were painstakingly hand-drawn in pencil on A5 (or larger) sheets by incredibly talented layout artists who had honed their skills at the renowned Don Bluth animation studios in Dublin. To preserve the game's "canon", these original pencil layouts were chosen as the foundation for the new high-resolution art. Wherever game screens deviated, the pencil layouts provided a faithful reference point. This allowed the team to digitally repaint over the original linework in 4K, using high-resolution scans and the original game screens for accuracy.

This meticulous approach led to some fascinating discoveries. The original digital colourist had taken shortcuts in places, such as replacing a sphinx with a goddess in a Parisian Museum scene to save time. The Reforged version proudly showcases the sphinx as originally intended by the layout artist. There were also instances where background elements painted from the pencil layout contradicted dialogue lines, revealing changes made by the digital painter. The added detail offered by 4K resolution significantly enhances the backgrounds, making them crisp and visually exciting while simultaneously improving the gameplay experience by providing players with a clearer view of puzzle-solving clues.

Character animation sprites were also meticulously redrawn, referencing the original character sheets to bring out details lost in the pixelated original. Each sprite required up to an hour of work from the talented team of animators, often necessitating the improvement of animations that looked acceptable in low resolution but suffered in the magnified 4K environment. The result is incredibly smooth animation, complete with subtle facial animation and expressions that rival the quality of high-end adult animation.

Early user testing proved crucial in determining how well the original point-and-click interface would resonate with a new generation of gamers. Despite consistently positive reviews, it was discovered that some players found the interface confusing and the gameplay frustrating when encountering roadblocks. This prompted a radical re-evaluation of the approach. While the original Broken Sword was a groundbreaking title in the 90s (the control system used by most adventure developers today is known as the "Broken Sword" interface due to its influence), it became clear that the time was right to innovate once more. Younger players were less drawn to a gameplay experience that had remained largely unchanged for over 30 years. The team understood that players enjoy solving puzzles that drive the narrative forward, and were determined to ensure that the gameplay delivered a sense of accomplishment.

Analyzing user feedback and videos, the team redesigned elements that caused players to stumble. The process was iterative, with multiple rounds of testing and refinement, resulting in consistently higher user scores as the experience improved. The HUD and user experience now feel innovative and contemporary. Mindful of the many players who cherish the original approach, the game offers a choice between the traditional experience and a new story mode.

Broken Sword – Shadow of the Templars: Reforged is a testament to the original game's enduring appeal and a testament to the dedication of the development team. This Reforged version builds upon a classic, beloved adventure, delivering everything the original offered and so much more, all presented in stunning 4K resolution.