Drakensang: The Dark Eye Reviews

Two more semi-enthusiastic reviews of Radon Labs’ Drakensang: The Dark Eye surfaced over the past few days.

First we have GameTopius with no score:

If it sounds like this game is one hundred percent recycled CRPG material, then that’s because that’s basically what it is. It’s plodding and set in its ways, and it never stops to think about some of the assumptions it makes regarding CRPGs, fantasy, and party play. Whereas The Witcher provided a truly interesting social milieu inspired by post-World War 2 Europe, Drakensang can barely be bothered to go beyond Tolkein’s basics. Where Neverwinter Nights 2 and Bioware’s latest offerings are pioneering fluctuating, multiple-branch narratives, Drakensang is happy with its sub-Dragonlance plotline.

And it doesn’t matter, because this is CRPG comfort food. Sure, Dragon Age may be bearing down upon the old RPG guard, but Radon labs has stolen a bit of Bioware’s thunder. If you’re looking for something to tide you over until Bioware’s next epic fantasy game, this is definitely it. It’s more than that, despite all appearances; it’s a clunky, beautifully (and beautiful) intricate treatment of the best and oldest of fantasy RPGs. If you don’t count yourself among the fold, I’d suggest downloading the English demo. For everyone else, this is what you’ve been waiting for. Sort of.

Then we have Resolution Magazine with a 79%:

If it’s not the gameplay that tells you you’re playing a fantasy RPG, it’ll be the art design. Once your character is picked, you are thrust straight into a beautifully crafted, high-quality environment, with bright, welcoming colours and lighting, making a nice change from the shades of grey and brown we’re used to in more ‘˜realistic’ games. Drakensang a good-looking game, and the experience is further enhanced by a beautifully composed musical score that fully compliments the atmosphere.

Drakensang: The Dark Eye is a well-designed RPG, and will certainly capture the imagination of players willing to immerse themselves in the world. The story is interesting once it gets going, and while the gameplay is tried and tested with little new on offer, what is here is generally nicely executed. With a little more polish in certain areas, and a faster pace regarding the story, this game would be truly great – and with a prequel already announced, perhaps we’ll see even better things from The Dark Eye universe in the coming years.