I played the first Broken Sword (Shadow of the Templars) when I was about 12 or 13 yrs old. I loved that game, it had a magical quality to it and is probably partly responsible for my interest in history. Ever since that first game, the series seems to have failed to recapture the magic of the original. This one comes the closest in my opinion. It has many of the things that made the first great: traveling through interesting and exotic locales, likeable protagonists, witty dialogue, eccentric and hilarious characters (although, it did seem like it was leaning a bit too into nostalgic fanservice by bringing back old characters). The plot isn't quite as exciting or interesting as in the first game. The puzzles are a bit too easy or towards the second half of the game increasingly ludicrous. (roach puzzle anyone?) And also, why the heck are George and Nico still not together yet ater 22 years?!!! Graphics are pretty good btw for cell shaded characteres (still prefer hand drawn though. I realize it's too expensive). Overall, objectively a pretty good adventure game, that probably deserves about 3.5-4 stars. But the fact that I have so much nostalgia for the original makes me bump it up to 5.
I usually only like RPGs that have a strong narrative and/or characters. Dragon's Dogma doesn't have a particularly fleshed out plot or characters, but it makes up for it with incredible amounts of customization for your character as well as a really fun combat system. The art design of the world is also beautiful. As the blacksmith hilariously likes to repeat endlessly, "It's a masterwork, you can't go wrong!"
Perhaps the best narrative I've ever encountered in a video game? I can't say for sure as there are lots of games with great stories, especially adventure games. However, there's something abut Primordia that keeps me thinking about it even years after I completed it. There is something very powerful and moving about it's world and characters that will stay with you forever. Despite all of it's characters being machines, it's a very human experience.
