Drakensang: The Dark Eye

 PC
  • Publisher: THQ
  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2009
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 188 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 188
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 188
  3. Negative: 14 out of 188
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  1. roboticsun
    Dec 30, 2011
    7
    Despite the weak story, this is a good old school party based RPG, much like Baldurs Gate/Neverwinter Nights seires but of course in very good 3D graphics. Although nothing really stands out as different than those games in the same type, it's still fun to play. The game does have some flaws. First thing you will notice is the bad camera, though it's not clunky enough to ruin things butDespite the weak story, this is a good old school party based RPG, much like Baldurs Gate/Neverwinter Nights seires but of course in very good 3D graphics. Although nothing really stands out as different than those games in the same type, it's still fun to play. The game does have some flaws. First thing you will notice is the bad camera, though it's not clunky enough to ruin things but just feels very uncomfortable. The other thing that not very good is the linear gameplay and dialogue. There are nearly no story branching in this game and combat gets repetitive the more you play. At last the game's journal system is poorly written and it does not offer enough information for quests, so most time you have to run around to find the destination. Generally Drakensang is a game for die-hard RPG fans, but I do not recommend this to people just play RPG for stories.… Expand
  2. DantheMan
    Apr 5, 2011
    7
    A good, solid game spoiled by an endless stream of combat. Play Drakensang: River of Time first as it's both the prequel and a more polished game. If you like spending 40 minutes fighting mobs for 2/3 EXP each while you get from the bridge into town, a run that takes you two minutes after the mobs are cleared, then this game is for you. If you like filling your bags with an endless streamA good, solid game spoiled by an endless stream of combat. Play Drakensang: River of Time first as it's both the prequel and a more polished game. If you like spending 40 minutes fighting mobs for 2/3 EXP each while you get from the bridge into town, a run that takes you two minutes after the mobs are cleared, then this game is for you. If you like filling your bags with an endless stream of daggers because all the same type of mobs drop the exact same type of loot, this game is for you. On the other hand, while the voice acting is uneven there are times where it hits the right notes, with even some humor thrown in. The story is acceptable: dwarfs, human, elves with 'Amazons' thrown in for spice. Honestly, this isn't a bad game but River of Time shows an attention to creating a quality experience that this game lacks . If you like River of Time and want more of what Drakensang has to offer, then buy this game.… Expand
  3. Osyron
    Mar 19, 2011
    7
    A very solid game all round, lacks the class and depth of say dragon age origins but if you are an rpg fan then you can do a lot worse than this.

    First thing that grabbed my attention about this game is how leveling up and XP works, unlike most games where you gain a level you get a heep of points and or new abilities to spend all at once this game gives and allows you to spend XP points    A very solid game all round, lacks the class and depth of say dragon age origins but if you are an rpg fan then you can do a lot worse than this.

    First thing that grabbed my attention about this game is how leveling up and XP works, unlike most games where you gain a level you get a heep of points and or new abilities to spend all at once this game gives and allows you to spend XP points everytime you gain some, you can save them up and spend them in your primary stats (strength/intelligence/agility etc) or you can make yourself a little better at one of the many other talents such as spellcasting, weapons or crafting (alchemy/blacksmith/boyer). There is a huge number of things to spend your points on and it can be a little head scratching as to where the best place to put them but on the flip side it does allow you to mold your characters in many different ways.

    It lacks a little on the depth side the characters may voice there approval/disapproval over certain actions you do but there is no consequence or reward for ignoring or listening to them and this could really have gave the game another dimension. and made you think a little more on the choices you make.

    As i said before if your an RPG fan there is lots to love here but if your thinking of dipping yout toes in the RPG world for the first time there are a lot simpler and more rewarding games to try out first.    … Expand
  4. AdamG
    May 19, 2009
    5
    I was a bit taken in by other user ratings, but am very unimpressed. The character creation is too dumbed down, there is a lot of time consuming walking about but worst of all the camera makes the game almost unplayable in parts. On the plus side, the graphics are nice and it's not a system hog.
  5. Greywolf2001ca
    Dec 24, 2015
    7
    Drakensang is a good comeback of the Realms of Arkania's game system. Although it might use the same system, the game mechanics are different. It is no longer a turn-based game. There are fewer skills and most are combat oriented. Magic is weaker but practically the same otherwise.

    I like character creation and I wished that all different cultures could have their own beginning. But you    Drakensang is a good comeback of the Realms of Arkania's game system. Although it might use the same system, the game mechanics are different. It is no longer a turn-based game. There are fewer skills and most are combat oriented. Magic is weaker but practically the same otherwise.

    I like character creation and I wished that all different cultures could have their own beginning. But you always start in the same spot and have the same storyline.

    Speaking of storyline, there is only one. It is a perfectly linear story that you cannot alter and there seems to be only one ending. Which makes this game an adventure-power gaming one instead of a role-playing one.

    I recommend buying it only if you can find it under 10$.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best PC Game of 2009
65
#65 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
86
#86 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Game Informer
    68
    While Drakensang easily exceeds any expectations regarding presentation and scope, the finer points of RPG design - notably combat and player-driven interactions with the game world - are lost on the game. [Mar 2009, p.92]
  2. IGN
    76
    The combat benefits from great visuals and animations but you lose some of the appeal there if you're constantly having to start and stop the action for tactical convenience.
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  3. Game Revolution
    75
    While I won’t try and tell you this game serves as a replacement for Mass Effect or Fallout 3, it is pretty well done on the whole. I hope this means Radon Labs will be working on further RPGs, as Drakensang is a series with great potential.
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