Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror

 PC
Broken Sword: The Smoking Mirror Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

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  • Summary: Plunge into a shadowy conspiracy world where the schemes of a mad drug kingpin and the prophesied return of an ancient Mayan god clash in what could be the end of all mankind. Race around the globe with George as he frantically attempts to free Nico, his investigaative reporter girlfriend,Plunge into a shadowy conspiracy world where the schemes of a mad drug kingpin and the prophesied return of an ancient Mayan god clash in what could be the end of all mankind. Race around the globe with George as he frantically attempts to free Nico, his investigaative reporter girlfriend, from othe clutches of Karzac's crime cartel. Guide Nico and George as they unravel the dark mysteries that lead them closer and closer to an ancient horror best left buried in the steamy jumgles of Central America. Gather clues and make friends, but be aware - a smiling face can hide a deadly obstacle in your quest to sop the return of "he who devours the sun and consumes the flesh of all mankind," the Mayan God Tezcatlipoca. [Virgin Interactive]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Gaming Age
    83
    The sound is another area in which The Smoking Mirror excels. Although there isn't a constant soundtrack playing, haunting music often accompanies certain actions, much like the original "Tomb Raider."
  2. PC Gamer
    82
    More of the same solid adventure fare found in "Circle of Blood." [Feb 1998, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Quandary
    80
    The puzzles are generally entertaining and fun to solve and the game sweeps you along with its great characters, story, humour and dialogue.
  4. Computer and Video Games
    75
    Polish is the key word in fact, when describing Broken Sword II. The one area that Revolution shine brighter than any other software star is in the look and style of the game. Graphically, this title is very impressive.
  5. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    The first adventure with these characters seemed to offer longer gameplay and a more in-depth story line, but Broken Sword cashes-in on the ability to continue with something good.
  6. Computer Games Magazine
    60
    Like far too many other sequels, the game doesn't live up to the expectations its predecessor set forth. Though it is well produced and solid, most adventure veterans will probably find themselves wishing for a little more "Circle [of Blood]" rather than such a straightforward Sword.
  7. Adventure Gamers
    40
    If you're looking for a really great graphic adventure game, give "Circle of Blood" a try, but resist the temptation to pick up its sequel. Like the game's title implies, it’s all smoke and mirrors, and very little substance.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. johnstobbart
    Sep 5, 2018
    10
    the unique point click adventure game.one of the best of the best game so far.the serpent's curse never getting close to this masterpiece.
  2. Bloodnes
    Feb 2, 2020
    10
    Все также на высоте как и в первой части, проходить всем! Игра шикарна и проходится на одном дыхании. Погрузитесь в мир Джорджа Стоббарта иВсе также на высоте как и в первой части, проходить всем! Игра шикарна и проходится на одном дыхании. Погрузитесь в мир Джорджа Стоббарта и поверьте, вы не оторветесь! 10/10… Expand
  4. IamKing
    Mar 3, 2012
    10
    What the hell is wrong with the critics!? This is one of the BEST adventures of ALL-TIME, and almost equally good as BS1! Really, MW3 has aWhat the hell is wrong with the critics!? This is one of the BEST adventures of ALL-TIME, and almost equally good as BS1! Really, MW3 has a better Metascore? Pfh....… Expand
  5. ChesterField
    May 1, 2020
    9
    A classic of the graphic point and click adventures, intriguing story and great imagination in solving the puzzles. Impressive artisticA classic of the graphic point and click adventures, intriguing story and great imagination in solving the puzzles. Impressive artistic section. Very highly recommended.… Expand
  6. bancandrei
    May 14, 2020
    8
    One of the best adventure games from the golden age. The exotic settings, intriguing story and great characters make this one to be remembered
  7. ViDeOGaMeZ
    Dec 5, 2015
    8
    I'd say that this game overall deserves a sensible 8 for being the best in the series.

    It gets most things perfectly, but sometimes it can    I'd say that this game overall deserves a sensible 8 for being the best in the series.

    It gets most things perfectly, but sometimes it can get tedious on the puzzles and more often than not combining silly not obvious item with another silly not obvious item.

    Since it's a point and click masterpiece of the late 90s it's easy to rate this game high.    … Expand
  8. DAoE
    Jun 26, 2012
    0
    Although the art and music are up to par, this game is a significant downgrade from the previous game in the series as far as writing andAlthough the art and music are up to par, this game is a significant downgrade from the previous game in the series as far as writing and gameplay are concerned. The characters are cardboard cutouts of their previous selves, and dialogue is forced at best and poorly scripted - at times accidentally giving the player spoilers about puzzles they have yet to discover, but not allowing them to actually do whatever action the character seems to know is necessary until after an arbitrary conversation cue. Speaking of puzzles, they are arbitrary and confusing, and actions with no easily foreseen benefit must be done in a particular order to unlock options that are necessary to proceed. Transitions between major locations are both abrupt and automatic, whisking the player away to the next fairly random location with no warning. As far as game engine concerns: The player walks extremely slowly, especially on large, scrolling screens. You also cannot skip directly to the next screen just by clicking on a "go here" area anymore: you must watch the character walk the entire way. These problems are compounded by the large number of puzzles where you must walk back and forth between semi-distant locations in order to proceed. There are often long, awkward pauses between clicking on something and the resultant conversation or action beginning. It is extremely easy to accidentally skip entire cutscenes, which you cannot pause during in any way, and skipping through dialogue (mostly in cases where I had seen it already : The save system could use some work) seems marginally slower. The last, minor issue is just that the game seems a little bit short, and there's often no resolution for the minor subplots that come up before one is whisked away. Overall, this game could have been much better than it is. If it had good gameplay, it could have been a smoothly worked adventure with a mediocre story. If it had a great story, one could look past the engine to just enjoy the narrative. As it is? I guess I'll just hope the third one is better.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 1997
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 1997
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 1997

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