Lacklustre graphics are matched by similarly uninspired sound, and character voice work, with the latter swinging wildly between the hammy American heroics of George to the outrrrraaagggeous French and European accents of the supporting cast - many of which feel as through they're been recorded in Le Echo Studios at a variety of different levels.

The only saving grace of the game's audio is a strong sense of writing that weaves a believable murder mystery and also provides occasional laugh-out-loud moments that usually focus on cultural differences, viewpoints or perceptions. For example, as George is attempting to leave the calamitous café scene directly after the explosion, he is challenged by an armed gendarme and ordered to identify himself. George cries something to the effect of: "Don't shoot! I'm innocent. I'm an American!" To which, the gendarme replies dryly: "I see that you are undecided."

Being a point-and-click adventure, the narrative structure is obviously best suited for the single-player experience. However, Shadow of the Templars does take a half-hearted stab at cooperative gameplay - although it's merely a wasted gesture. Despite the game revolving around both Nico and George, the co-op mode only allows for the on-screen control of whichever character is scripted to be investigating at that particular point; individual control of the two protagonists is never provided. Moreover, the second player is given access to little more than a cursor with which to search the environment for clues before then presumably relaying any points of interest to the 'main' player verbally.

Ultimately, the co-op mode achieves nothing that couldn't be created by a passive observer simply suggesting places for the active player to search. It's a missed opportunity considering a true co-op investigation could have created genuinely new scenarios and moments of dual interaction where the may have shined and the tag of Director's Cut tag might have been justified.

As it is, Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars is little more than an interactive Saturday morning cartoon punctuated by ham-fisted character performances, woeful foreign accents and some patchy Wii control mechanics. Yet beneath the cheap presentation, layers of vocal cheese, and hit-and-miss motion sensing is a faithful (if seriously dated) point-and-click adventure that does offer a semblance of worth through its gradual pacing, intriguing investigation, challenging puzzles, and occasionally hilarious dialogue.

That being said, the latest Broken Sword console entrant is a largely unremarkable point-and-click offering that's unlikely to spawn a radical revival for the genre or lure gamers away from the (still) superior mouse controller. Wii owners looking for a richer, more modern gaming experience that comes packed with charm and convincingly tests grey matter would be well advised to seek out the criminally unappreciated Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure.

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By Stevie Mostyn