Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,640 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • humor
Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse Game Cover
After a seven year hiatus, Broken Sword makes a stunning return with its latest episode, The Serpent's Curse.
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In "Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse," players assume the roles of George Stobbart and Nico Collard as they investigate a gallery robbery and murder, uncovering an ancient conspiracy tied to a stolen painting and a curse bestowed by the Devil. This point-and-click adventure boasts classic gameplay, a rich cast of characters, and captivating music. The Definitive Edition offers improved visuals, behind-the-scenes content, and bonus features.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,640 reviews
story372 positive mentions
grinding14 negative mentions
  • Beautiful hand-drawn graphics that capture the nostalgic feel of the original games.
  • Engaging story with clever puzzles that are mostly logical and enjoyable.
  • Strong voice acting and humor that adds charm to the characters and dialogue.
  • Some puzzles can be overly simplistic or rely on trial and error, leading to frustration.
  • The pacing can feel slow due to long animations and dialogue pauses.
  • The story may lack depth and originality compared to the earlier titles in the series.
  • story798 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging narrative and nostalgic elements reminiscent of earlier titles in the series. However, some players criticized the pacing, linearity, and predictability of the plot, noting that it often felt stretched or repetitive. Overall, while the story is considered enjoyable and well-crafted by some, others found it lacking depth and originality, particularly in comparison to the franchise's earlier installments.

    • “The story is riveting, you'll be on the edge of your seat as the plot thickens.”
    • “Broken Sword 5 brings with it a satisfying game length and another fantastic story of intrigue mixed with myth, lore and very well researched historical elements.”
    • “The story, graphics & puzzles are all top notch and make this game a must-play if you are a fan of the Broken Sword series and a fan of point & click games in general!”
    • “Clearly, once the halfway mark is reached, the quality of the game, story, etc. drops vertically into an abyss.”
    • “The entire plot arc is diametrically opposed to that of the first game, in the sense that it is crippled by bad pacing and a highly forgettable story, the latter of which is also fully imbued with cheap philosophical speeches and paper-thin characters.”
    • “The story just isn't interesting enough to hold the player's attention for so long.”
  • graphics381 mentions

    The graphics in "Broken Sword 5" have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful artwork and a successful return to a 2D aesthetic reminiscent of the first two games in the series, enhanced with modern technology. While some players noted that the animations could be stiff and the transition to 3D character models was not universally appreciated, the overall visual presentation is considered a highlight, combining rich detail and vibrant colors that contribute to an engaging atmosphere. Many fans feel that the graphics effectively capture the charm and nostalgia of the original titles, making it a visually appealing experience for both new players and long-time fans.

    • “The graphics are beautiful; I love the art in Broken Sword 1, 2, and now 5.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic for a point-and-click, with lovely artistic backgrounds.”
    • “The scenery and artwork that got put into this game is phenomenal, and it is truly easy to appreciate the time and effort that went into it.”
    • “The graphics are an ambivalent part of the game.”
    • “Though it can hardly be denied that the game looks good and has its own style, the cell-shaded graphics will be a deal-breaker to some gamers.”
    • “The game looks and sounds pretty nice in the Broken Sword 2D style and the resolution is pretty high too, but there are times when the generally nice and smooth, but sometimes too flat and bland graphics worked against the puzzle solving of the game; it simply doesn't support the needed attention to detail.”
  • humor165 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the silly conversations and clever character exchanges, particularly between George and Nico, while others criticize the writing as bland or forced. Many note that while the game retains some charm and wit reminiscent of earlier titles, it often falls short of delivering consistent laughs, with some puzzles and dialogues feeling ridiculous or embarrassing. Overall, the humor is seen as a hit-or-miss aspect, with nostalgic callbacks and engaging character interactions being highlights amidst a backdrop of uneven comedic execution.

    • “The silly conversations between George and Nico got me laughing every time, and George's adorable snarkiness and denseness were on-key.”
    • “Fantastic writing with a solid sense of humor.”
    • “The game is packed with fun puzzles, a compelling storyline, and funny scenarios.”
    • “Humor is few and far between, or simply not funny, and you only get a few hours worth of gameplay.”
    • “Dialogues are not funny, painfully cheesy, stuff happens solely for the plot to continue further, characters are (with some exceptions) quite bland, even George (!!!), and you can spot every cliché from miles away.”
    • “Still, puzzles are not challenging, frequent black-screen cutscenes are annoying, dialogues are not funny and 'langweilig' (thank you, German, for this very suitable word), and the plot does not really add any points to the aforesaid.”
  • gameplay138 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a return to classic point-and-click mechanics, offering a blend of simplicity and engaging puzzle-solving that appeals to both veterans and newcomers. While some players appreciate the nostalgic design and varied puzzles, others criticize the slow pace and occasional frustrating mechanics that can hinder the experience. Overall, the game successfully combines modern graphics with traditional gameplay elements, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, despite some minor issues.

    • “The gameplay works thanks to its simplicity and almost flawless execution.”
    • “Great voice acting, challenging and fun gameplay, amazing and a great pace make this one of the best puzzle games I've ever played.”
    • “So if you like the very best that standard point-and-click gameplay can offer, reasonable puzzles, and the best 2D artwork anywhere, this game is a must-play.”
    • “15 hours of gameplay, plus another ten to get the hidden achievements - dozens of crashes there, finally downgrading to a 'not recommended' rating for the game.”
    • “But the thing that gets this game from a decent game to a bad one is the game mechanics; several of the things one needs to solve are just stupid. One has to do it in just the 'right' way, and some items you can't pick up before doing something else first.”
    • “And the gameplay is horribly slow; there are several places where you just have to click through badly written dialogue with no useful content at all, just to be able to pick up something that was obvious that you should get.”
  • music126 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its orchestral quality and nostalgic callbacks to earlier titles, while others find it repetitive and occasionally overwhelming, particularly the song "Jasmine." Many players appreciate the atmospheric background scores that enhance the game's setting, though some express disappointment that the soundtrack lacks the dynamic and memorable qualities of the original games. Overall, while the music is generally considered solid, it does not consistently meet the high expectations set by its predecessors.

    • “The orchestral music that evolves with your choices is a sweet callback to the original masterpiece, Shadow of the Templars.”
    • “The music is amazing, too, and a certain flowery tune has been stuck in my head for a while now.”
    • “The music as always is spectacular and brought me right back to what I loved about the series within seconds of booting up the game.”
    • “The song 'Jasmine', as an example, overstays its welcome, popping out at least two times while the credits roll, and four times during gameplay (mind you, it has vocals, so especially during dialogues it becomes exhausting).”
    • “I wish the music was more dynamic in nature.”
    • “Music is also somewhat of a letdown to me.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its return to a nostalgic, cartoon-like style reminiscent of the earlier installments, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the visually pleasing graphics, well-executed voice acting, and engaging puzzles that contribute to a fun and immersive environment. However, some critiques highlight a disconnect in the narrative and humor, suggesting that not all elements successfully capture the adventurous spirit of the series.

    • “A beautiful game that really captures that nostalgic feel and atmosphere of the first two games.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, it's visually pleasing to look at and the voice acting is really well done.”
    • “Abandoning the 3D worlds and returning to a 2D style, reminiscent of the first two installments, helps the game recapture the appealing artwork style that enhanced the atmosphere of those first two adventures.”
    • “Never did I feel an adventurous nerve ticked to delve into the story; the atmosphere was just plain and destroyed by ridiculing anything. This George was just cringe. Sadly, the Serpent's Curse never connected. I was so shocked that right after this, I questioned if I still enjoy adventures.”
    • “I can honestly say it's one of the better ones of the series, thankfully heading back to its cartoon-like atmosphere rather than the weird 3D effects it used, which tightroped well with the Sleeping Dragon before falling to its demise with Angel of Death.”
    • “The story developed, and the puzzles and George's witty dialogues gave the game the atmosphere and adventure it needed.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be notably tedious, particularly due to a lackluster storyline and wooden animations that detract from the experience. The slow-paced character movements and lengthy, semi-skippable dialogues contribute to a sense of boredom, especially after the initial stages of the game. Overall, many reviewers express frustration with the repetitive nature of the gameplay, which hampers engagement and enjoyment.

    • “Game starts out really disappointing because somehow the first 30% are just tedious and the dialogues vs. animations seem very wooden.”
    • “Also, the walking and repeating of animation can really be tedious; like you are in mortal danger, yet the characters are walking as if they are taking a stroll in the park.”
    • “Since the story never hooked me, it was only a bit interesting from a historic/spiritual perspective but not really catchy, and all the characters just made it worse. Especially a dream scene lost my interest; from that point on I was so bored I often skipped dialogues and felt annoyed by tedious animations which aren't skippable.”
  • stability14 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is characterized by a mix of amusing glitches that do not significantly hinder gameplay, though some players experienced occasional freezes requiring repetition of actions. While there are minor graphical issues and awkward pauses in conversations, these do not lead to game-breaking problems, allowing for an enjoyable experience despite the imperfections. Players generally found the game stable enough to recommend, particularly for fans of the genre.

    • “I quite enjoyed this game; however, more puzzles would have been good. At certain points, I felt I needed more of a challenge, but regardless, it was good to keep the momentum going throughout the adventure. I liked the fact that there were no glitches in the audio, and the visual side of the game was impressive as well. I would recommend it to fans of mystery games, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next part of this adventure.”
    • “There are constantly moments where the game freezes and you have to repeat some things and hope that you can get past that point.”
    • “(there are several glitches due to the mix of 3D models and 2D backgrounds)”
    • “Where it fell short were the glitches I encountered, but they aren't game-breaking. Half a mark lost for the graphical glitches and half lost for the awkward pauses in certain conversations.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by vibrant and exaggerated designs that pay homage to classic animation styles, though some players feel the animations lack fluidity. While the new character designs and voiceovers are praised, there is a desire among some fans for the option to use classic character styles from earlier titles. Overall, the character designs are seen as a refreshing update, despite some disappointment regarding animation stiffness.

    • “Character designs are marvelous cartoon exaggerations again, with some comic art shading, which is a tip of the hat to older games yet a refreshing redesign when it comes to animations.”
    • “I was disappointed that George no longer has that well-lubricated Don Bluth strut, and I found the animations in general to be on the stiff side, but the wonderful character designs and voiceovers make up for it.”
    • “Lastly, I would have liked to see an option to use classic style characters. Although I enjoyed the new character designs, it would have been nice to see the old style. Yes, I understand it would be hard and yes, I know it would take more space; I am just being honest about what I would have liked to have seen.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and impressive art style, contributing to an overall positive experience. However, the quality of the script detracts from the otherwise strong voice acting, which features notable performances from key characters.

    • “The BS5 art style is amazing and runs smoothly.”
    • “The voice acting for the most part is superb with standout performances from George and Nico.”
    • “Meanwhile, the voice work is largely of good quality, spearheaded by Rolf Saxon's now iconic performance as George Stobbart.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming return to familiar characters and settings, which evokes nostalgia and a sense of adventure. The beautifully crafted Paris landscape and soothing music enhance the experience, although some players noted that the 2D backdrops could induce motion sickness during cut scenes. Overall, the game successfully creates an engaging emotional atmosphere that resonates with both new and returning players.

    • “While I didn't remember all the details about the recurring characters, seeing them was heartwarming, and the game explained who they are, so I don't think not having played the previous titles would make this one unenjoyable.”
    • “It's heartwarmingly back to its roots, so much so to have a wondrous Paris landscape with beautifully soothing music.”
    • “Truly made me feel like an adventurer on a treasure hunt :)”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its linear structure and relatively simple puzzles, which do not encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players have completed it more than once, the consensus suggests that it is best enjoyed on sale rather than as a game to revisit frequently.

    • “Not much replay value in these kinds of games, although I finished it twice: once about 10 years ago when it was released and recently when I did a marathon of all the titles.”
    • “Fairly solid puzzle-solving game; obviously not much replay value, so buy it on sale.”
    • “The game is quite short and offers little replay value due to its linearity.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab that exploits nostalgia, leading to negative perceptions among users who feel deceived by its tactics.

    • “This is just another example of a growing trend of cash grabs using nostalgia to hoodwink customers.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

7hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
11hMain story
14hCompletionist
6-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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