Overview
While American adventure studios closed, Revolution kept making them. Charles Cecil’s British company created Lure of the Temptress, Beneath a Steel Sky, and the Broken Sword series, maintaining high production values and thoughtful puzzle design through the genre’s commercial wilderness. Their persistence paid off when adventure games returned.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1990.
- Founder: Charles Cecil.
- Location: York, UK.
- Known for: Broken Sword series.
Key releases
| Title |
Year |
Setting |
| Lure of the Temptress |
1992 |
Medieval fantasy |
| Beneath a Steel Sky |
1994 |
Cyberpunk |
| Broken Sword |
1996 |
Modern conspiracy |
| Broken Sword II |
1997 |
Central America |
Virtual Theatre engine
| Feature |
Innovation |
| NPC scheduling |
Characters move independently |
| Object interaction |
Contextual responses |
| Cinematic presentation |
Film-like storytelling |
Broken Sword series
| Title |
Year |
| Shadow of the Templars |
1996 |
| The Smoking Mirror |
1997 |
| The Sleeping Dragon |
2003 |
| The Angel of Death |
2006 |
| The Serpent’s Curse |
2013 |
Design philosophy
| Principle |
Implementation |
| Fair puzzles |
Logical solutions |
| Strong narrative |
Story-driven |
| Character voice |
Memorable personalities |
| Cinematic |
Film influence |
Crowdfunding era
| Project |
Year |
| Broken Sword 5 |
2012 (Kickstarter) |
| Beneath a Steel Sky 2 |
Announced |
Industry persistence
| Challenge |
Response |
| Genre decline (2000s) |
Continued development |
| Console transition |
Adapted to platforms |
| Mobile market |
Ports and originals |
See also