Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse revives the classic point-and-click adventure genre with a return to its roots, abandoning the 3D graphics of its predecessors. It features high-resolution visuals and character models, enhancing the nostalgic experience for fans of the series. Players interact with the game using an intelligent mouse cursor, where right-clicking allows for examination of items, and left-clicking initiates specific actions. The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles through item collection and usage, with additional logic puzzles that require zooming in on objects for detailed interactions.

The narrative is enriched by dialogues with various characters, some of whom are familiar from earlier games in the series. Players alternate between controlling two main characters, George and Nico, as they navigate through the story. A helpful hint system is also included to assist players who may encounter difficulties, ensuring that the game remains accessible while maintaining a challenging puzzle-solving experience.