Where to get it

2011 · Haemimont Games · Action-adventure · Adventure

The First Templar

Xbox console exclusive

The First Templar follows the story of two main characters – a French Templar, and his companion, a noble lady who has been proclaimed a heretic. Taking control over these two unlikely allies, the player must uncover the mysteries behind the Templar Order, play a role in a grand conspiracy, and discover the secret of the Holy Grail. The heroes face powerful opponents at every turn, including Sacracen, King Philip the IV of France and the Inquisition.

Released: 6 May 2011
Platforms: Windows Xbox 360
Genres: Action-adventure Adventure Historical Puzzle Role-playing
Developers: Haemimont Games
Publishers: Kalypso Media
Modes: Co-op Multiplayer Single-player
Themes: Action Fantasy Historical Stealth
Country: Bulgaria
Age ratings: PEGI 16 ACB M GRAC 12+ESRB T
Languages: English, English (UK), French, German
Time to beat: 10hmain story19hcompletionist

About

The First Templar is an action-adventure video game developed by Haemimont Games and published by Kalypso Media for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. It was released on both platforms in May 2011 in Europe and North America.

The First Templar follows the story of two characters: French Templar Celian d'Arestide and his companion, Marie d'Ibelin, a noble lady declared a heretic by the Dominican Inquisition. Taking control of these two unlikely allies, the player must uncover the mysteries of the Templar Order, engage in a grand conspiracy, and discover the secret of the Holy Grail. The First Templar features both single-player and co-op modes. When playing solo, the player can switch between the two characters, with the game's AI controlling the second hero. At any moment, a second player can join in and take control of the AI-controlled hero.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game may be played solo or cooperatively. Either way, Celian is always present with its partner, being alternated between Roland and Marie. The three characters may be defined in a traditional action roleplaying game style as a Fighter (Roland), a Rogue/Assassin (Marie) and a Paladin (Celian).

The main action is about swordplay with attacks and shield or sword defenses being central. Minor skills are also in existence some being common to all characters and some being exclusive to one or another. Magic is an absent concept being Celian's prayer ability the only one resembling it. The enemies are also of an unmagic kind.

Story

Celian d'Arestide – The player character, Celian is noble, chivalrous knight who fights to preserve his order amid the Inquisition. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Celian received a formal education in addition to his combat training. Due to him falling from a tower in his past, Celian has lost all of his memories prior to adulthood.

Marie d'Ibelin – The granddaughter of Guy d'Ibelin, Marie was raised in Saracen traditions. She joins Celian after being branded a heretic by the Inquisitors. Taught to fight and defend herself at an early age, she utilizes twin daggers in combat.

Reception

The First Templar received "mixed or average reviews" according to review aggregator website Metacritic.

While the combat system, visual style and story received some positive feedback, the dated design and lack of polish drew criticism. Eurogamer described it as "..the good kind of 6/10, the sort of zero-expectation, low-budget game that approaches the score from below...a decent hack-and-slash brawler...Not a great one". GameZone gave the game a 3.5 out of 10, stating "This is a game that you're going to want to like. You're going to want it to succeed, but it'll only let you down. The entire time you'll be thinking about what they could have done differently and better."