This compilation of the first two Broken Sword (Circle of Blood) adventures will delight genre fans.
Well to start with, I actually enjoyed BS2 more than its predecessor, however when considered as a whole, given the continuity of the storyline between the main protagonists, George Stobbart and Nicole Collard, it is quite a memorable experience.
Both stories involve George stumbling into sinister conspiracies with supernatural elements. George, a somewhat quirky American, encounters Nico, a smart French lady, in the first adventure and a relationship develops between the two. The dialogue between them is quite humorous though one does wonder what she sees in him. The relationship has its highs and lows in the unravelling of the first mystery, involving Teutonic Kinghts. Obviously the couple have drifted apart by the time the second adventure takes place, but again they are forced together during the trials and tribulations of discovering the plot to unleash the Mayan god of death.
Gameplay is typical point and click adventure with the characters animated against beautifully drawn backgrounds. There are numerous puzzles spread across thetwo games, though there are more in the first. The interactions with the other non-player characters who either help or hinder the two protagonists is what makes the games both enjoyable and memorable. Both games, while dealing with serious themes, are very much tongue in cheek which may or may not please some. Certainly for me the second game got the balance right, whereas the first game seemed a little more awkward in setting its tone.
I have reviewed the games separately here on GameSpot and you can read them at your leisure. Suffice to say these games are well worth playing and are a good introduction into the adventure gaming genre. Seasoned adventure gamers should note that the protagonists can die if you make wrong choices; so save your progress regularly.
OVERALL: This Broken Sword Compilation is well worth playing, both games have their highs and lows, but both are solid entries in the adventure genre and, as noted, rather funny to boot.