The First Templar

The First Templar is an action game set in a medieval fantasy world, where players assume the role of Celian of Aristide, a French Templar on a quest to find the Holy Grail. The game features a mix of hack-and-slash combat, stealth sections, and cooperative puzzles, with a strong emphasis on teamwork—either with an AI companion or another player. As Celian and his daughter Marie, players battle through Saracen invasions and uncover a conspiracy against the Templar order, while upgrading abilities and collecting gear through main and side missions.

The First Templar: A Flawed but Fascinating Crusade Through History

Introduction: A Quest for the Holy Grail in a Sea of Mediocrity

The First Templar is a game that exists in the shadow of its own ambition. Released in 2011 by Bulgarian developer Haemimont Games and published by Kalypso Media, it is a hack-and-slash action-adventure that attempts to weave a grand historical conspiracy around the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail, and the fall of the Crusades. Yet, despite its lofty aspirations, it stumbles over its own execution, delivering an experience that is as frustrating as it is fascinating. This review will dissect The First Templar in exhaustive detail, exploring its development, narrative, gameplay, and legacy to determine whether it is a forgotten gem or a cautionary tale of missed potential.

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Development History & Context: A Bulgarian Studio’s Crusade

Haemimont Games, known for their work on the Tropico series and city-builders like Grand Ages: Rome, ventured into uncharted territory with The First Templar. The studio, based in Sofia, Bulgaria, was primarily recognized for strategy and management games, making The First Templar a bold departure. The game was developed using the proprietary Sol Engine, which also powered Tropico 4, and was designed with a strong emphasis on cooperative gameplay—a feature that would become both its selling point and its Achilles’ heel.

The gaming landscape in 2011 was dominated by titans like Assassin’s Creed, Dark Souls, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The First Templar entered this arena as a mid-tier, budget-priced title, competing against games with far greater resources and polish. Its development was constrained by a modest budget, which is evident in its dated visuals, clunky animations, and occasional technical hiccups. Despite these limitations, the team at Haemimont Games aimed to craft a narrative-driven action game with a historical twist, blending real-world events with supernatural intrigue.

The game’s creative director, Gabriel Dobrev, and lead designer Boyan Ivanov (Chimera) envisioned a story that would explore the moral ambiguities of the Templar Order, the political machinations of the Inquisition, and the mythical allure of the Holy Grail. Their ambition was admirable, but the execution often fell short, leaving The First Templar stranded between innovation and imitation.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive: A Tale of Betrayal, Memory, and the Grail

Plot Summary: From Cyprus to France

The First Templar follows Celian d’Arestide, a French Templar knight suffering from amnesia, and his companion Marie d’Ibelin, a noblewoman branded a heretic by the Dominican Inquisition. Their journey begins in 1291, as the Crusades draw to a close and the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land, Acre, falls to the Mamluks. Celian and his fellow Templar, Roland de Saint-Omer, arrive in Cyprus to seek counsel from the Templar Grandmaster regarding their quest for the Holy Grail. However, they soon discover that the island is under attack by Muslim warriors, and a kidnapped messenger reveals that Marie—daughter of the late Guy d’Ibelin—is imprisoned by the Inquisition.

After rescuing Marie, the trio uncovers a grand conspiracy orchestrated by the Inquisition, led by the shadowy Isaiah. Roland is captured and presumed dead, leaving Celian and Marie to continue their quest. Their journey takes them across Europe and the Middle East, battling Saracen forces, navigating political intrigue, and uncovering the dark secrets of the Templar Order. Along the way, they encounter Lady Isabelle, a French messenger secretly working to destroy the Templars, and King Philip IV of France, who allies with the Inquisition to dismantle the order.

The narrative culminates in a shocking revelation: Celian is not who he seems. He is, in fact, Hugues de Payens, the founder of the Templar Order, who suffered memory loss after an assassination attempt by the current Grandmaster. The Grail, it turns out, is not a divine artifact but a source of immortality that the original nine Templar founders used to extend their lives. The Grandmaster, one of the original nine, manipulates Celian into retrieving the Grail, hoping to reclaim its power. In the end, the player must choose whether to use the Grail to become immortal or destroy it, freeing humanity from its corrupting influence.

Characters: A Cast of Archetypes and Intrigue

• Celian d’Arestide / Hugues de Payens: The protagonist, a noble but amnesiac knight whose past holds the key to the Templar conspiracy. His journey is one of self-discovery, as he grapples with his lost identity and the moral weight of his actions.
• Marie d’Ibelin: A fierce and independent noblewoman raised in Saracen traditions. She serves as Celian’s foil, often questioning his idealism and pushing him toward pragmatism.
• Roland de Saint-Omer: A gruff, battle-hardened Templar who serves as Celian’s loyal companion. His capture and subsequent betrayal add layers of tension to the narrative.
• Wilhelm of Beaujeau: The Grandmaster of the Templar Order, a wise but morally ambiguous figure who harbors dark secrets.
• King Philip IV: The primary antagonist, a power-hungry monarch who seeks to dismantle the Templars and seize their wealth.
• Isaiah: The enigmatic leader of the Inquisition, whose motives remain shrouded in mystery until the game’s climax.

Themes: Faith, Power, and the Corruption of Ideals

The First Templar explores several compelling themes:
1. The Corruption of Power: The Templar Order, once a noble brotherhood, has become a shadow of its former self, consumed by greed and the desire for immortality.
2. The Illusion of Divinity: The Holy Grail, far from being a sacred relic, is revealed to be a tool of manipulation, highlighting the dangers of blind faith.
3. Memory and Identity: Celian’s amnesia serves as a metaphor for the loss of moral clarity, as he must reconcile his past actions with his present ideals.
4. Betrayal and Loyalty: The relationships between Celian, Marie, and Roland are tested by deception, forcing the characters to question where their allegiances truly lie.

Dialogue and Writing: A Mixed Bag

The game’s dialogue is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it attempts to convey the gravitas of its historical setting, with characters speaking in a formal, almost Shakespearean cadence. On the other, the voice acting is often stiff and unnatural, undermining the emotional weight of key scenes. The script occasionally veers into melodrama, with lines like “We will not negotiate with marauders!” delivered with unintentional humor. Despite these flaws, the story’s twists and turns keep the player engaged, even if the execution leaves much to be desired.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems: A Clunky Crusade

Combat: Hack, Slash, and Pray

At its core, The First Templar is a hack-and-slash game with light RPG elements. Combat revolves around three primary actions:
– Standard Attacks: Basic sword swings that can be chained into combos.
– Blocking: A defensive maneuver that reduces damage from enemy strikes.
– Special Attacks: Powerful moves that consume “fervor” energy, a resource that builds up during combat.

The combat system is functional but lacks depth. Enemies are often slow and predictable, allowing players to spam attacks with little consequence. Later stages introduce shielded foes and heavier adversaries, forcing players to incorporate blocking and dodging, but these encounters are more tedious than challenging. The lack of enemy variety and the repetitive nature of combat make battles feel like a chore rather than a thrilling duel.

Character Progression: A Shallow System

Players earn experience points by completing missions and defeating enemies, which can be used to unlock new abilities for Celian, Marie, and Roland. These upgrades include:
– New Combat Moves: Such as shield bashes, spinning attacks, and finishing blows.
– Passive Buffs: Increased damage, health, or fervor regeneration.

While the progression system provides a sense of growth, it is ultimately superficial. Most abilities are situational at best, and the game’s linear structure means there is little incentive to experiment with different playstyles.

Cooperative Gameplay: A Missed Opportunity

The First Templar was designed with co-op in mind, allowing a second player to control Celian’s companion (either Marie or Roland) in both local split-screen and online modes. In theory, this should have been the game’s standout feature, offering a unique blend of teamwork and camaraderie. In practice, however, the co-op experience is marred by:
– Clunky Split-Screen: The divided screen makes combat and navigation needlessly difficult, especially in tight corridors.
– Unbalanced Characters: Celian is significantly stronger than his companions, making solo play more appealing.
– Poor AI: When playing alone, the AI-controlled companion is often useless, failing to block attacks or contribute meaningfully to battles.

The co-op puzzles, which require players to simultaneously activate switches or navigate separate paths, are the only moments where teamwork feels rewarding. Unfortunately, these segments are few and far between, leaving the co-op mode feeling like an afterthought.

Stealth and Exploration: A Half-Hearted Attempt

The game occasionally incorporates stealth sections, where players must sneak past guards or assassinate targets silently. These segments are poorly implemented, with unreliable detection mechanics and awkward controls that make stealth more frustrating than fun. Similarly, the game’s trap courses and environmental puzzles are simplistic, often reducing to “find the lever” or “avoid the spikes” with little creativity.

Loot and Customization: A Hollow Promise

Each level contains hidden chests and bonus objectives, which reward players with weapon parts, armor upgrades, and experience points. While this encourages exploration, the loot system is underwhelming. Most weapons and armor pieces offer minimal statistical improvements, and the lack of visual customization makes upgrades feel meaningless.

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World-Building, Art & Sound: A Crusade of Contrasts

Setting and Atmosphere: A Journey Through History

The First Templar takes players on a tour of 13th- and 14th-century Europe and the Middle East, with locations ranging from the sun-drenched deserts of Cyprus to the gloomy castles of France. The game’s environments are visually distinct, with each level offering a unique aesthetic. However, the linear level design and repetitive architecture undermine the sense of exploration. Corridors and courtyards blend together, making the world feel more like a series of arenas than a living, breathing historical setting.

Visual Design: A Budget Constraint

The game’s graphics are its most glaring weakness. Character models are stiff and poorly animated, with facial expressions that range from blank stares to exaggerated grimaces. Textures are muddy and low-resolution, and the lighting is flat and uninspired. While the art direction occasionally shines—particularly in the burning forests of Cyprus or the gothic cathedrals of France—the technical limitations of the Sol Engine hold it back.

Sound Design: A Forgettable Score

The game’s soundtrack is serviceable but unremarkable, featuring orchestral pieces that attempt to evoke the grandeur of the Crusades. The voice acting, however, is a mixed bag. While some performances—particularly Celian’s—are passable, others are wooden and unnatural, detracting from the game’s dramatic moments. The sound effects are similarly lackluster, with clashing swords and grunts of pain lacking the weight and impact needed to make combat feel visceral.

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Reception & Legacy: A Game Caught Between Praise and Scorn

Critical Reception: Mixed Reviews and Missed Potential

The First Templar received “mixed or average” reviews upon release, with critics praising its ambitious story and co-op mechanics while lambasting its dated visuals, clunky combat, and technical issues. Here’s a breakdown of the critical consensus:

• Positive Aspects:

  • Engaging Story: Critics appreciated the game’s historical setting and narrative twists, particularly the revelation of Celian’s true identity.
  • Co-op Potential: Reviewers noted that the game was more enjoyable with a friend, despite the flaws in execution.
  • Variety of Locations: The game’s diverse environments were highlighted as a strong point.

• Negative Aspects:

  • Outdated Graphics: The game’s visuals were widely criticized for looking several years behind contemporary titles.
  • Repetitive Combat: The lack of depth in the combat system made battles tedious and unengaging.
  • Technical Issues: Bugs, poor collision detection, and awkward controls plagued the experience.
  • Weak AI: The companion AI was deemed useless, undermining the co-op experience.

Notable Review Scores:
– GameSpot (7/10): “The First Templar draws you in with delightful visuals and rhythmic combat, but technical foibles can lessen your fun.”
– IGN (4/10): “A look back to when games were crappy… dated game design, a testament to how things were once done, and how they should never be again.”
– Eurogamer (6/10): “The good kind of 6/10… a decent hack-and-slash brawler. Not a great one.”
– GameZone (3.5/10): “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.”

Commercial Performance: A Budget Title’s Struggle

The First Templar was a commercial disappointment, failing to make a significant impact in a market dominated by AAA blockbusters. Its budget pricing and lack of marketing meant it was overshadowed by more polished competitors like Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Dark Souls.

Legacy: A Footnote in Gaming History

Despite its flaws, The First Templar has developed a cult following among fans of historical action games and co-op experiences. Its ambitious narrative and unique setting have earned it a place in the “so bad it’s good” pantheon, where its shortcomings are embraced as part of its charm. However, it has had little influence on subsequent games, serving as a cautionary tale for developers attempting to blend historical fiction with action gameplay on a limited budget.

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Conclusion: A Flawed but Fascinating Relic

The First Templar is a game of contradictions. It aspires to be an epic historical adventure but is held back by clunky mechanics, dated visuals, and uneven execution. Its story is engaging and full of twists, yet its dialogue and voice acting often undermine its dramatic weight. The co-op gameplay is innovative but poorly implemented, and the combat system is functional but repetitive.

Despite these flaws, The First Templar is not without merit. It offers a unique perspective on the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail mythos, blending historical events with supernatural intrigue. For players willing to overlook its rough edges, it provides a decently entertaining experience, especially when played with a friend.

Final Verdict:
– For Fans of Historical Action Games: 6.5/10 – A flawed but fascinating journey through the Crusades.
– For Co-op Enthusiasts: 7/10 – The co-op mode, while clunky, offers unique teamwork moments.
– For Casual Gamers: 5/10 – The repetitive combat and technical issues may prove too frustrating.
– For History Buffs: 7.5/10 – The narrative and setting make it a worthwhile curiosity.

The First Templar is not a great game, but it is not a complete failure either. It is a relic of its time, a budget title that dared to dream big but ultimately fell short of its ambitions. For those who enjoy hidden gems and historical oddities, it is worth a discount-bin purchase. For everyone else, it serves as a reminder of how far game design has come—and how easily even the most ambitious projects can stumble.

Final Score: 6/10 – A Flawed Crusade Worth Remembering, But Not Revering.