Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse from Revolution Software is part of the adventure game point and click revival we’ve been experiencing over the last couple of years, something that has made me very happy as a fan of the genre. This particular entry in the series was made possible thanks to the support of 14,032 backers who pledged $771,560 so that Revolution Software could develop it. After being funded on September 22, 2012, the team began to work on the game and finally released Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse Episode 1 a little over a year after the Kickstarter campaign ended. By early 2014, Episode 2 was available as well, and each episode was ported to PS3 and Vita as separate releases. Both episodes have now been brought together for a PlayStation 4 release, and it is time for me to review it!

The game begins with a bit of backstory in Spain in the year 1937 were players see a painting called La Maledicció before moving to the present in Paris, France where series protagonist George Stobbard and his partner Nico Collard are admiring the very same painting from the first cutscene in the game. Turns out that the company George works for insured the painting, which is why he’s there. Soon after this, a thief breaks into the gallery and steals that specific painting. For some reason, the alarm does not go off, and the thief ends up shooting Henri, the gallery owner, who gets in his way as the tries to exit the gallery.

It is up to George and Nico to find out what is really going on, because the thief breaking into the gallery to steal just the one painting AND knowing exactly which painting he was going to rob and where it was located makes this theft seem a bit too perfect. George soon finds out that the gallery where the painting was showcased hired a security agency that was different from the one the insurance company had recommended, which makes the whole case smell like an inside job. I won’t be talking more about the story as to not spoil the plot twists you’ll run into, but rest assured that the story for Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse is as good as you would expect from the series.

 

This being a point and click game, you can walk around a scene by moving the cursor with the left analog stick to then press X on the spot you’d like to visit. This is also how you interact with the objects and people in each location, and depending on what you want to do you will be able to either examine something or use an object from your inventory to interact with a person. There’s also an option to combine items from your inventory to create new items that will allow you to continue with your quest for the truth.

For example (and this is the one time I’ll spoil a puzzle), at one point you’ll run into a cockroach that must be “eliminated” from a scene. No, you can’t kill the cockroach (because reasons), so you will need to find a way to get rid of it. Luckily there’s a box of matches nearby, and if you find something to, I don’t know, lure the cockroach into the box, you might be able to trap it and save the day.

Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse, unlike the two previous entries in the series, showcases an art style and direction that is more similar to the first two entries in the franchise, while also going back to old-school gameplay mechanics that fans of the series will appreciate, ditching the 3D look and feel of The Sleeping Dragon and The Angel of Death for a more organic and vibrant presentation.

There’s nothing to complain about in Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse. The clever writing, great graphics, and fun gameplay make this a must-have for point and click fans and an excellent addition to the PS4 library. The game also features a full trophy count and, aside from a handful of trophies, most will be unlocked as you play the game. It will take you around 8-10 hours to complete the game and get the Platinum trophy, and I do hope that Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse does great on PS4 because I can’t wait to see what Revolution Software can do for the next game in the series.

Disclaimer
This review is based on a PS4 copy of Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse provided by Revolution Software.