Broken Sword 2: Remastered (2010)

I remembered this game as a great game, but playing it now I don't find it to be that great. Story is not bad but its not great either, it's quite cliche. Puzzles are ok most of the time but some are really strange. Anyway, the biggest drawback is the interface, it, and the whole game, is soooo sloooow. Frankly I was falling asleep at some moments

in a style that resembles classic animated films. There are designers, today, who make games purposely pixelated, or so they say. Games like the Broken Sword Series were trying to get away from pixelated graphics and present smooth animated characters. Games of the past had amazing stories, as back in the day they had to rely on such to make up for the pixelated graphics. Today, purposely pixelated games look terrible, and many times the story matches the graphics. The story in the Broken Sword series, this being episode 2, the remastered version, is intriguing to say the least. The original "Smoking Mirror" had many issues; pixelated backgrounds, poor quality audio, and some of the dialogue was out of place. All these issues have been addressed and improved upon, plus additions have been made; a diary that enables the player to keep track of what's been done, an in-game hint system, fully animated facial expressions, enhanced graphics overall, and high quality music. A point-and-click interface, you'll guide George Stobbart through the game's world and interact with the environment selecting from multiple commands, as well as a certain Nicole Collard, in select portions of the game. You'll engage in real dialogue, not just text, to gain hints as to what needs to be done. A handy map for travel that new locations discovered are added to as the story unfolds helps get from one area to another. By the way, it is possible to die. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I imagine a 5 minute video is worth much more, so if you'd take the time, please check out... https://youtu.be/R7Oeoomzq6A Thanks for reading this review, and perhaps watching the video. I hope both were helpful.

This game was the cliffhanger for Revolution Softwares before they went all 3d. I remember playing this game in the 2000's and i specifically remember that it was on the level of "Return to Monkey Island" because it was set in South America. Which is near the Carribbean. This game was great because it was literally what it said on the tin. Which is Smoke and Mirrors. I don't want to spoil the end but that is the end. However, you must go through a lot of obstacles to get to the end. Especially meeting security guards and tourists and generals and i think this is the one with the handicapped and disabled character called "Pettico" who helps you with his poncho. But acts like a Neanderthal or Monkey. The reason why i bought it was that it was cheap and it was a great memory.

The second game in the Broken Sword series continues with the standard and style of the first game, to which "The Smoking Mirror" takes off a couple of months down the track after the ending of. Unlike many adventure games, the puzzles in "The Smoking Mirror" are very logical and rarely will you find yourself stuck for long. While this is great to those new to the genre, or to those who dislike hard puzzles, it may prove disappointing to genre fans. There is no strange combination of items and method here. But disappointment will only last a short while, as the games story, voice work and plot are all rather engaging. Characters are quite clear in who they are by personality and actions. For the large portion of the game, you control the character George, but for some diversity you have control of Nico at certain areas. The two characters themselves have different views on solving puzzles, and Nico will even remark if you try to do something "George would do". The Negatives? Only two stand out. 1) There are one or two points where the games takes too large a jump between scenes and you feel like you have missed something. Exposition by the characters does help, but can feel like it is tacked on. 2) The maze puzzle near the end game, finding paths can be a bit of pixel hunting not seen much in the game. And a Mayan Glyph puzzle that is twice as long as it should be. There, that was a reach even to grab those two. In short, "The Smoking Mirror" (And the first game) represent the best in the Broken Sword series. Genre fans yet to play should really consider getting this. Even if you don't really like "Point'n'Click" give it a go, as it's one of the few games that gets just about nearly everything right.

a charming little title with good voice acting and some pretty straight-forward puzzles. frustration could come from pixel hunting so always move your mouse over every possible area to find hints, exits or items to interact with. since you can die in the game save now and then and especially in those dangerous situations where armed thugs appear :) I didn't play the first part and didn't know this adventure series and had no trouble getting into the story and the characters. I can recommend it, especially with this low price tag. PS: gog was so nice to put up an better version with better cutscene encoding as you can read on the forum, so re-download if you already got the game.