Drakensang: The Dark Eye

Release Date: August 1, 2008

RPG, TPP, fantasy, classic RPG, singleplayer

81%

Steam

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A classic RPG developed by Radon Labs, based on the narrative RPG system Das Schwarze Auge (The Dark Eye). The game takes place in a fantasy realm called Aventuria, where an epic adventure awaits – during the game the player will visit not only the center of the continent called Middenrealm, but more exotic areas as well. Before the beginning of the game, the player first creates his character that is described by various traits and parameters.

Plot
Mechanics

Drakensang: The Dark Eye for PC is an RPG based on the most popular table-top fantasy RPG system in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The developers intended to create a game similar to genre classics by putting strong emphasis on story, team work and on combat system that isn’t all about pressing random buttons as fast as possible. The developers call their work a “Baldur’s Gate in a 3D world”.

Plot

Drakensang: The Dark Eye for PC takes place on a continent called Aventuria that was based on the late medieval or early renaissance Europe. As in every quality RPG world, the area contains varied territories and countries, including cold North inhabited by game’s equivalent of Vikings; empire Kun Kau Peh that is similar to our Far East; Khom that is filled with deserts; and the mysterious, magical islands. During the adventure the player will not only thoroughly explore the center of the continent called Middenrealm, but he will visit more exotic areas as well. The story is very developed – it was created by six men who worked on it for six months. They created a plot that fills more than one thousand pages of the script.

During the journey the player will encounter various characters that are typical for fantasy genre: Elves that live in harmony with the nature and are magic users; impulsive, axe-equipped Dwarves; wild and brutal Orcs; dark sorcerers; honorable knights; strong warriors; clever rogues etc. The title offers some more exotic characters as well: female warriors who are followers of Rondra, God of War; Amazonians; Thorwalens, the hard people of the north who call god Swafnir in their time of need.

Mechanics

The player can use many of the above-mentioned races and classes when creating his character in Drakensang: The Dark Eye for PC. The character creation is almost exactly the same as in the paper version of the RPG. This means that the character has many traits and parameters that impact its interactions with the surrounding. To make things easier, the developers removed some details that the players would have to determine. During the adventure the player will encounter various characters that can join them. The protagonist can have up to three permanent companions. It is also possible to have temporary allies (for example for the duration of a specific quest). There can’t be more than two of them accompanying the player.

Aventuria is inhabited by a few dozen of types of hostile monsters. Because of that, combat is probably the most important aspect of the game. The developers intended to create a system in which traits, skills and weapons of the party are crucial for victory. The battles are played in real time, but it is possible to pause the game at any time and decide further steps. The system is very similar to the one used in Baldur’s Gate.

The second important aspect of the game is interactions and dialogues with the citizens of Aventuria. Drakensang: The Dark Eye for PC offers dynamical and quite developed dialogues. Success of conversation is strongly dependant on the race and skills of a character. For example, a noble Elf has greater chance to convince guards to open a gate than a surly Dwarf. However, when the player must convince a leader of bandits, then the Dwarf will be more effective.

Last updated on June 24, 2017

guide

Last Update: April 22, 2009

Drakensang: The Dark Eye Game Guide

Walkthrough covers both the main plot and the sidequests along with different approaches to completing them. The guide has been split into eleven sections each with its own map showing the locations of key places and characters.

Drakensang: The Dark Eye Game Guide

Videos and Screens

[1:43] Drakensang: The Dark Eye #2

[1:08] Drakensang: The Dark Eye GC 2007

81%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (587)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Engaging Storyline: The game features a well-crafted story that unfolds gradually, keeping players interested throughout.
Good Graphics: Many users appreciate the graphics, noting that they have aged well and still look good on modest machines.
Exploration and Crafting: The game includes various locations to explore and a crafting system that allows for item creation, enhancing the RPG experience.
Solid RPG Mechanics: The game is praised for its RPG elements, including character development and skill systems that reflect the pen-and-paper RPG roots.
Lengthy Gameplay: Players report a substantial playtime, often exceeding 50-80 hours, providing good value for players who enjoy immersive experiences.

The main cons of the game

Compatibility Issues: Many users report difficulties running the game on modern Windows versions (10 and 11), requiring workarounds to launch it.
Linear Gameplay: The game is criticized for being overly linear, with limited freedom in exploration and quest completion.
Shallow NPC Interactions: Players express disappointment with the lack of depth in relationships with NPCs and companions, feeling that character interactions are not as developed as in other RPGs.
Technical Issues: Some players mention problems with the camera controls and game crashes, which detract from the overall experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Diverse Dialogue Choices: Users feel that the game lacks multiple dialogue options, limiting player agency in conversations and quest resolutions.
More Character Depth: There is a desire for more complex relationships and interactions with companions, akin to what is seen in games like "Dragon Age."
Difficulty Settings: Some players wish for adjustable difficulty levels to tailor the challenge to their preferences, as the game is perceived as too easy overall.
Improved Exploration Mechanics: Users mention that the exploration feels constrained and that returning to previously completed areas is often not possible, limiting the open-world feel.
Enhanced Technical Performance: Players desire better optimization and support for modern systems to avoid launch issues and improve overall gameplay fluidity.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024