Drakensang: The Dark Eye Preview

Hooked Gamers has whipped up a two-page preview of Drakensang: The Dark Eye, presumably based on existing information and the game’s recently released English demo.

The German-language version was released to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in late 2008 and the game won the first prize for its story and was selected as the best RPG of the year in Germany. Yet, I couldn’t find anyone relating what the story is all about. All I can gather is that the story has zero relation to the “Realms of Arkania” series, so don’t look for any insights there. What we DO know is that you as the player will be able to create _one_ character. Along the way, you’ll be able to add up to three other permanent characters that you will directly control. In addition, you will have slots for up to four “guests”, who will accompany your party for a quest or two and then go their own way.

If you’ve never played “The Dark Eye” p-n-p, or the earlier Arkania series, trust me, character creation will be a treat. Besides the usual Strength, Intelligence, etc., positive traits, you also have several negative traits to factor in: superstition, acrophobia, claustrophobia, avarice, etc. Then there’s several score of skills to flesh out, as well as scores of spells to select for your spell-casting quiver. And lets not forget the potion making details for the alchemy-inclined amongst us! Radon will lay out about 50 archetypes (for those that want to just jump in and get the show on the road!), but you will be able to mix and match your own concoction to your heart’s content.