GameBoomers
Walkthroughs and Solutions BROKEN SWORD 3: The Sleeping Dragon
Walkthrough for Action Parts Only
January 17, 2004
Len Green lengreen@hotmail.comPreface
PLEASE only use the following if you get REALLY stuck on one of the 'action' sequences. Beforehand try (very many times) by yourself... it's more satisfying!
Note: The following is the way I beat these action puzzles (eventually). You might very well have different and better methods than these.
On the whole, BS3 is an excellent Quest/Adventure game. But it is spoiled for some players who find it very difficult, in a few cases even impossible, to overcome certain of its rapid action episodes. This is an attempt to rectify, or at least minimize that situation.
The main reasons for the trouble seem to be a combination of keyboard strokes and rapid manipulations, plus the complete absence of mouse usage that many players are accustomed to. The keystrokes in BS3 are rather 'unconventional', and for some folks awkward. In addition the player must act with great rapidity and without any false moves or hesitations. The slightest slip-up on the part of the player generally results in a replay of the whole sequence (and often a preliminary cutscene as well), sometimes as many as dozens of times. In such cases, extreme frustration can even lead to abandonment of the game.
Only those actual action episodes involving speed plus dexterity are dealt with in this walkthrough. But slipping past guards and enemies without being killed sometimes also needs repetitive rapid movements, and so the most difficult one of those puzzles is also included here. There are other 'physical' problems/puzzles in BS3, e.g. climbing, jumping, block moving, swinging, shimmying, etc. But these can be completed successfully while taking as much time as the player likes or needs.
In the first few weeks since the game has been released there have been a very large number of calls for saved games, both on Forums and from kindly individual helpers. But in my opinion, a saved game should only be used as a very last resort... for many reasons. Someone else's saved game may have covered different territory in a different order than you did, and/or have acquired different inventory items. In other words, that person may have done things that you don't know about... or not done things that you have already done.
In this particular game, every saved game has a sort of 'game played time stamp' affixed, and so someone else's game time will be different from yours... possibly very different. But more importantly, in one instance (see 'Petra in the Congo' below), using a saved game inevitably wipes out nearly 7 minutes of cutscenes, which considerably advance the story in 3 locations.
So the following is my attempt to give assistance in the form of precise (albeit factual and doubtless boring) instructions, which I hope will enable many players to overcome the most difficult rapid action episodes. Note that there are several more action sequences in the game that can get you killed. Only the toughest ones are included below.
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Some Tips and General Instructions
I will dispense with the word 'key' from now on. The ones that you use are the direction arrow keys (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT) and the letter keys W, A, S, D. In addition to these, the one used most of the time, but not always, is the (left only) SHIFT, which changes walking into running.
Important Note: The above assumes that the default keys are used. These can be altered in Options. If you have altered them, please substitute accordingly for the aforementioned keys.
Although the keystrokes recommended are optimal, they may have to be adjusted according to individual circumstances and directions tweaked on occasion.
Most of the action sequences are in a few parts, with time to 'catch your breath' in between each part. This helps a great deal in giving as much time as required to reorganize before a final and generally more difficult part. In every case, the maximum speed must be obtained with no hesitations or errors. Also bumping into walls or objects should be avoided, since these almost always lead to failure. If you have difficulty, I recommend going through a few trial runs before attempting the full operation. And be prepared for several or possibly many attempts!
And if you still can't manage to do it, the following 'Cheat' may help. In all but the first episode, the SHIFT key has to remain depressed continuously throughout. If you like, you can keep the SHIFT key pressed down with a moderately heavy object, or tape it down temporarily. This will allow you to use all of your fingers of both hands for the other movements, which should give more ease and flexibility!
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The following instructions are arranged in chronological order according to the game
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DEFEATING PETRA IN VERNON'S APARTMENT
(In Paris, near the beginning of the game)
This episode is in 2 parts, and is not too difficult.
Part 1
As Nico walks into Vernon's kitchen for the first time, she is accosted by the as yet unknown Petra. Keep a finger poised over S. You have quite a bit of time to get organized. Petra is about to shoot Nico, who talks, playing for time. When Petra starts to say, "You won't be so clever when I've killed you", keep a sharp eye on the end of the handle of the frying pan. As soon as the handle displays a glittering star highlight, press S.
Part 2
The bullet is deflected by the frying pan. They both move towards the fridge. When Nico starts to say, "I never forget a face", keep a sharp eye on the handle of the fridge door. Nico continues with "So why had I forgotten hers?" Exactly as she finishes this sentence, a glittering star highlight appears on the fridge door handle. IMMEDIATELY, press S. Petra will try again, but her gun misfires. She runs out of the kitchen and escapes.
If you fail, you will automatically start Part 1 again from the beginning.
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DEFEATING PETRA IN PARIS
(Susarro and Petra ascending in the elevator)
I personally found this one of the most difficult action puzzles in the game, since it involves actually manipulating fingers quickly in accordance with progress.
This episode is in 4 parts.
Actually the first parts are quite easy... only the very last part is (very) tricky. Unfortunately you can't save it just before then, so if/when you fail, you have to repeat all 4 parts, plus a preliminary cutscene!
Part 1
You have a LOT of time to get organized. During this period, POSITION your 3 fingers onto the appropriate keys, but DEPRESS NONE of them yet! Let (1) one left hand finger rest on SHIFT and (2) another left hand finger rest on A... let (3) one right hand finger rest on DOWN.
Wait until George FINISHES the sentence "Nico, we won't have enough time to get past the elevator. Find somewhere to hide!". Continue to wait a few seconds after this. When the 4 empty circles of the action map suddenly appear, IMMEDIATELY press only (1) and (3) simultaneously, and keep them depressed a very short time, ONLY until George runs the very short distance to the edge of the chasm. Then VERY QUICKLY release them both, and IMMEDIATELY press (2), only until George is hanging safely from the edge of the void.
Part 2
You now have as much time as you like.
Press LEFT continuously so that George swings along to the left, until he arrives as close as possible to Nico.
Part 3
Get ready for the most difficult part.
Make one single click on W. George jumps up and alerts the 2 villains.
You now have only a relatively short time to get ready for the final and hardest part.
Part 4
Quickly POSITION 4 fingers onto the appropriate keys, but DEPRESS NONE of them yet. Let (1) one left hand finger rest on SHIFT and (2) another left hand finger rest on S... let (3) one right hand finger rest on UP and (4) another right hand finger rest on LEFT.
Wait until Petra's gun misfires, and Nico starts running to the left. IMMEDIATELY, when Nico STARTS to say "Quick George. This way!", press all 4 of the keys simultaneously, and keep them all depressed continuously.
BUT, and here's the common problem...
Every time that George gets close to the corridor wall on the right side of the screen, release your finger from (3) ONLY for a second or two (and then return that finger), until he's close to the middle of the corridor (and no more!).
They should run and reach the elevator successfully. You can then release all 4 keys.
If you fail, you will automatically start Part 1 again from (before) the beginning!
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DEFEATING PETRA IN THE CONGO
(In the Omega Temple, after acquiring the alpha stone)
This episode is in 2 parts.
Note: Please see the Preface above about why using someone else's saved game for this puzzle is particularly inadvisable.
Part 1
You have a LOT of time to get organized... but on your original attempt only. During this period, POSITION 3 fingers onto the appropriate keys but DEPRESS NONE of them yet. Let a left hand finger rest on SHIFT... let one right hand finger rest on DOWN, and another right hand finger rest on LEFT.
IMMEDIATELY after the earthquake scene and Nico FINISHES (but not before) the sentence "Come on, George! Let's get out of here!", press all 3 keys simultaneously and keep them all depressed continuously.
If you don't do this correctly, George gets shot and you return back to the earthquake scene. If however, you DO perform it correctly, George and Nico reach a ledge and canyon safely, but exhausted.
Part 2
There are 2 or 3 fairly short cutscenes (non-interactive... giving you a bit of time to organize the second part) that finish with a close-up of Nico's face. During this period, POSITION your 4 fingers onto the appropriate keys but DEPRESS NONE of them yet. Let one left hand finger rest on SHIFT and another left hand finger on S... let one right hand finger rest on UP, and another right hand finger rest on LEFT.
IMMEDIATELY, when Nico STARTS to say "Come on George, we have to move fast!", press all 4 keys simultaneously and keep them all depressed continuously.
George and Nico should run and jump the gap successfully, and you can then release all 4 keys.
If you fail, you will automatically start Part 1 again from the earthquake scene.
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ESCAPING THE GUARD IN THE CATACOMBS
(Using the microwave)
This episode is in 3 parts.
This is quite likely the most difficult action puzzle in the game, since it involves quick changes in finger manipulations and several different types of actions. Please have patience, and be prepared to repeat it several times.
Prerequisites
(A) You must have viewed the guard sitting at the kitchen table or you can't
even START this puzzle.
(B) You must have obtained the old iron key from the corpse behind the door in
the sitting room, or (horror of horrors) you can get through to the very last
and easiest stage, but then cannot possibly finish it!
Part 1
Every time you restart the puzzle you find yourself outside in the corridor, and the old key is NOT highlighted in your inventory. So before proceeding further, highlight the old key in your inventory. Then enter the sitting room and stand near the microwave, so that a glittering star highlight appears on it.
Part 2
When you are ready, POSITION 5 fingers onto the appropriate keys but DEPRESS NONE of them yet! Let one left hand finger rest on SHIFT, and another left hand finger on S... let one right hand finger rest on UP, another right hand finger rest on LEFT, and a third right hand finger rest on RIGHT.
Press Shift, and then press S to activate the puzzle. After activating the puzzle, you can remove your finger completely from S, but you must continue pressing SHIFT until the end of the whole episode (if you have difficulty doing this, see the 'Cheat' above listed under 'Some Tips and General Information').
George turns around and says 2 sentences, "The microwave suddenly sprang into life", and "It was going to make a noise... I had to hide - fast". JUST after he starts the SECOND sentence, start moving as follows:
Make a quick and very short press on LEFT only, and George turns clockwise and walks 1 or 2 steps to the left of the screen. Then press UP only, and keep it down, and (with a LOT of luck) he'll run forward and through the door without hitting anything. Most likely however, you'll see that he's going to miss the door. If so, then quickly adjust his run by ADDING a very brief touch on RIGHT (or less likely, on LEFT), while all the time keeping a left hand finger on SHIFT and a right hand finger on UP.
When you're out of the door (hopefully without mishap), you may be lucky and by simply continuing to keep a left hand finger on SHIFT and a right hand finger on UP, you enter the door of the empty room opposite the sitting room. More than likely however, you'll have to adjust his run by ADDING a very brief touch on LEFT (or possibly, on RIGHT).
You can now breathe easier... the toughest and quickest part of the episode has been completed.
Part 3
George hides by the wall alongside the door. You will see a cutscene of the guard leaving the kitchen, walking the corridor, and entering the sitting room... machine gun at the ready!
You have to be fairly quick from now on, but not desperately so. When control returns to George, quickly press SHIFT, and first RIGHT and then UP until he reaches the microwave (sitting) room door, and a glittering star highlight appears on its keyhole... do NOT overstep it!
Press S to quietly close this door, with George on the outside and the guard on the inside. Press your spacebar to activate your inventory. Press S to use the old key on the keyhole, and lock up the guard in the microwave room.
"Yes, mission accomplished!"
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SLIPPING PAST THE GUARD IN THE CATHEDRAL
(3 Times)
This episode is in 3 completely self-contained parts.
The guard you have to evade is the one without the dog near the altar. You have to evade him 3 separate times, going in opposite directions. You can save and relax ONLY after you have COMPLETED each one of the three.
NOTES
While you are in the midst of performing each of the 3 maneuvers described above, you are only 100% safe when you are:
But because you are safe in all of those places, each trip across the room can be split into separate sections, with time to rest between each section.
As far as the (VERY clumsy) controls allow, hug the back wall and try to keep in the shadows as much as possible... although this recommendation may not help much!
Always try to move ONLY when the guard has his back turned toward George. You have to move pretty quickly to complete each section of movement without getting shot and killed. And you generally can't hide on the way... apart from the aforementioned sheltered locations.
In this episode, perhaps more than the others, the keystrokes recommended may have to be adjusted to suit your specific actions and the positions of George and the guard. It’s very easy to veer off course, in which case you’ll have to make some adjustments.
Part 1 - to get to the office
Section 1
Wait until the guard starts to walk down the steps. IMMEDIATELY press one finger on LEFT until you’re alongside the entrance to the pulpit. Quickly press LEFT and DOWN simultaneously to enter the pulpit. Read the Bible there, etc, where George is safe.
Section 2
Get George to stand just INSIDE the entrance to the pulpit facing the right side of the screen... if he moves even a little outside he may get killed! Let (1) a left hand finger rest on SHIFT... let (2) one right hand finger rest on DOWN and (3) another right hand finger rest on RIGHT. Wait until the guard starts to move towards his left, then IMMEDIATELY press (1) and (3) to exit the pulpit. Quickly press all three keys and guide George using (1), together with (2) and (3) alternately if necessary. Once he is behind and close to the partition, he’s safe.
Section 3
Get George to move behind the partition near the right side of the screen (but for safety, not TOO near the edge). Let (1) a left hand finger rest on SHIFT... let (2) one right hand finger rest on UP and (3) another right hand finger rest on RIGHT. Wait until the guard starts to walk down the steps. IMMEDIATELY press all three keys, and guide George using (1), together with (2) and (3) alternately if necessary. Once he’s in the area of the door he’s safe. He can then enter the office door with no further danger, and do whatever is necessary inside. Save here.
Part 2 - to get to the pulpit
Section 1
Press one finger on RIGHT until you’ve reached the right pillar of the archway (don’t exceed this or you’ll get shot!). Wait until the guard starts to walk down the steps, then IMMEDIATELY press a left hand finger on SHIFT and a right hand finger on RIGHT. George will rapidly draw level with the partition. When he is JUST beyond this, change your right hand finger from RIGHT to LEFT, while keeping your left hand finger on SHIFT. Once George is behind and close to the partition, he is completely safe.
Section 2
Get George to move behind the partition near the left side of the screen (but for safety, not TOO near the edge). Let a left hand finger rest on SHIFT... let one right hand finger rest on UP, and another right hand finger rest on LEFT. Wait until the guard starts to walk to his left. IMMEDIATELY press all three keys until George reaches the side wall. Then press UP only (for a very short time) until he reaches the entrance to the pulpit. Using DOWN and LEFT either simultaneously or alternately (whichever works best), get George to enter the pulpit. Read the Bible there, etc, where George is safe.
Section 3... optional, but advisable!
Press SHIFT + RIGHT... SHIFT + UP to continue to the robe room. You can save here.
Part 3 - to get back to the office again
If you start from the robe room, then this part is the exactly the same as Part 1. If you start from the pulpit, then that eliminates the first section. Once again, save after you enter the office.
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END GAME
GENERAL NOTES ONLY
Behind either of these walls, George is safe! It is advisable, possibly even essential, for him to take shelter behind
the nearer wall first (the one to the right of the path), before continuing
toward the finale. And although it is not absolutely essential, it can help to
shelter behind the other wall afterwards, as well.
As a suggestion... Keep a left hand finger on SHIFT and use a right hand finger (or fingers)
to zigzag towards your objective(s) while avoiding the lethal missiles.