There are a few games out there on the market that truly captivates the gamer, pulling them into a virtual reality, creating a "blockbusting movie" experience with you in control. Broken Sword: Sleeping Dragon is one of them. The game starts off with a wonderfully done movie like scene with George (A humorous American) in a plane with an Australian joker. Unfortunately, due to a freak weather occurrence, the plane losses power and crashed onto a cliff face. You then take charge of George and you must find a way to escape the burning plane with your friend.
After your escape up the mountain side, you encounter a scene in the game where the scientist you were supposed to meet is murdered.
Next you are introduced to Nico, a French journalist. She herself witnesses the murder of a young man she was supposed to interview.
From there on you alternate between characters solving puzzles and finding clues to search for justice, until finally both characters meet up with each other.
If you have not played the other two Broken Sword series don't worry. You learn as you play the game that both characters knew each other.
The game is a detective point and click adventure. There are many actions to carry out throughout the game. In other words your characters are very flexible.
The only way to reach the end of the game is to think logic. This game is pure logic that you would not find in many games. For example in one part of the game you must try and retrieve a key that is in a lock in the door on the opposite side. Simple, place a newspaper underneath the door and poke the key with a pencil so the key will fall down onto the paper. Pull out the newspaper and hey, you have the door key.
Music is wonderfully composed. The music alternates when you find a clue, where there is danger etc. It really adds to the depth of realism to the game.
Graphics are brilliant. The characters move fluently through the incredible colourfully detailed scenery. You visit places such as France, Glastonbury Egypt (I think) etc. This prevents any repetitiveness of Graphics to a zero. Cut scenes are frequent throughout the game to keep up the realism. Environments seem empty from human activity though.
There is a lot of voice acting in the game. Fortunately it is well done. There are a lot of humorous scenes with Nico and George along with other characters you meet.
Controls are very easy to master. Certain parts of the game, where you are faced with danger require a quick press of a button to prevent yourself from being killed.
One BIG problem with this game though. The amount of loading is really sickening. There is an awful lot of loading screens throughout the game. There is no point knowing the capabilities of the Xbox. Another disappointment with the game was the ending. After destroying the dragon (that was very well done) you are left with quick end that lasted no more than a minute followed by the credits. After accomplishing a game I would like to be rewarded with a nicely created ending to a game.
Apart from that you will be left mesmerised by how much you feel for the characters (especially after one sad scene), and for the game itself. Let's hope for a quick sequel!
GRAPHICS: 9/10
Excellent. Cut scenes and fluid movement of the characters create a movie like experience. Beautifully created environments.
SOUND: 10/10
Music is wonderfully composed and matches the scenario you are facing. Voice acting is brilliantly done that is mixed with some humour.
GAMEPLAY: 9/10
Imaginative puzzles. Detective game mixed with humour and beautifully created environments will keep you going on until the end. Sad about the quick ending though. One point is lost because of the silly amount of loading times present throughout the game.
The good points:
*Excellent cut scenes along with graphics.
*Excellent music.
*Excellent voice acting mixed with humour.
*Imaginative puzzles.
*A game that encourages you to think logic.
*Excellent storyline.
*Mixture of colourful environments.
The bad points:
*Too many loading times.
*Quick ending after defeating final boss.
OVERALL RESULT:
9/10
The Broken Sword series has long been famed for its strong narrative and sublimely simple game play and tradition has certainly not been forgotten here. To describe the Sleeping Dragon as just eccentric or perhaps abnormal would be unfair, unjustly stripping this game of its values that come together like jewels in a crown to create a truly marvellous piece of story-telling genius. The game revolves around a pair of intrepid explorers, George and Nico. From the exotic vistas of the Congo to the dank confines of an ancient castle in Prague, they must traverse the entire planet in search of the sinister Susarro and later the Grand Master himself. The plot centres on the Voynich Manuscript, an actual calligraphy believed to grant immortality to the beholder. This is indeed a story that blurs the line between fiction and reality. The Sleeping Dragon is undeniably aimed at a more mature audience due to its many cerebral references throughout the game and the more sedate pace compared to action titles but that is not to suggest that younger gamers, such as myself, cannot enjoy it just as much if not more so.
To advance the plot George and Nico must go about solving fiendishly complex puzzles using a simple interface incorporating the four main coloured buttons on the controller. Each button is context sensitive and will allow our explorers to perform different actions. There are hundreds of variations to try before solving the given mystery. Some puzzles have very obscure solutions that defy logical thinking but this just adds to the comic value. One particularly taxing puzzle involved slotting a newspaper, found in a nearby bin, under a door, then wiggling a pencil in the keyhole to dislodge a key from inside which then falls on the newspaper allowing Nico to carefully extricate the newspaper back under the door and receive the key to unlock the door. While puzzles such as this may induce you into a state of panic stricken frenzy as the underpants you found nearby don’t fit the keyhole, the sense of achievement you get when you finally crack it is unparalleled.
In addition to the effortless brilliance that is the game play, what really gives this game an extra special something are the two main characters themselves, so contrastive in their ways and yet so individually witty and sagacious. Sarcasm is the main form of humour in the Sleeping Dragon which plays a large part in further engaging the player and making the experience ultimately more rewarding and enjoyable.
You simply cannot help but marvel at this game. The rich ingredients of a wonderful game are so seamlessly blended together. Outstanding narrative, wonderful characters, excellently thought out game play, genuinely witty humour and crisp, polished graphics which has allowed the series to make the transition to 3D absolutely superbly. For old timer or newcomer, Broken Sword cannot fail to endear, amuse and delight.
