The most successful RPG in Germany, outselling the well-known Dungeons & Dragons, is The Dark Eye (Das Schwarze Auge in Germany). The pen-and-paper game itself is incredibly detailed and the world carefully constructed – making it a challenge to bring it to life in a way that will meet the standards of fans who have dedicated time and energy to playing The Dark Eye for years. Kalypso Media has fearlessly taken on the task – even incorporating the original ruleset. Having purchased the IP, Kalypso founded the third in-house development studio – Noumena Studios in Berlin. With a team large team of developers and using the Vision engine, it is the most expansive and comprehensive game currently being worked on by Kalypso at this point in time. With The Dark Eye being such a dark world, it is a step in a different direction for Kalypso, who is more commonly known for brighter games such as Tropico.

In The Dark Eye: Demonicon you take on the role of Cairon, one half of a brother/sister team that seems to be the focus. The world, Aventuria, is a dark place – there is no real good or evil. There is simply lesser and greater evil. Demons and the undead roam without limitation. In the beginning Cairon is in a cave with his father discussing his sister’s disappearance – originally they believe that she has gone further into the cave with a man to be deflowered as an attempt to nullify her arranged engagement. Cairon’s father reminds him not to let his blood mix with Calandra’s, although the reason isn’t immediately given. After fighting through a few hordes of ghastly fiends Cairon finds his sister injured and, in the process of helping her, their blood mixes. Despite that, Calandra tells her brother how a man abducted a child and she had followed him – her being here had not been an evasion of her marriage. This is no ordinary kidnapping, though. There has been a rash of women being spirited away for reasons unknown.

Visually, The Dark Eye: Demonicon is still in an early phase although its start is very promising for what the later stages will be. The dialogue between characters doesn’t seem quite natural and in the beginning there’s an almost creepy amount of attention paid to the subject of Calandra’s virginity. On the flip side, however, it lightens up some of the heaviness of the atmosphere. While some conversation seems to be completely serious, you can’t help but at least chuckle a little. While the father’s warning to not mix their blood makes one roll an eye and wonder what could be so bad if it did happen, after it does transpire there’s a real hook in wanting to know why it was so dire – although it’s certain to play a key role later down the line. Usually, however, when something involves blood it’s pretty serious – in this case it was hinted to be a bind to demonic powers. With that being the case, that would make our hero not entirely good; again, a lack of real goodness within the game. With time that kind of bond could have serious repercussions. While Cairon himself isn’t able to be customized, Cairon’s appearance will change over time as he continues to use his demonic powers. A prime example of the degrees of lesser and greater level is that at one point you must choose whether or not to kill an enemy, because if he dies all of his victims, who are similarly bound to him, will die as well. Slowly and painfully. The actions and decisions that you make in Demonicon will affect events that transpire later on.

Gamers will be able to choose whether they want to focus on using magic in combat or physically fighting. There’s a variety of options for either, from using long range throwing knives to slash attacks up close. You can charge up hit combos and use special strikes. More magical powers can be unlocked along the line as you progress through the game. Loot, such as potions or weapons, can be picked up along the way as well. An interesting feature is that when an enemy is preparing to attack you they become highlighted, and you are given the opportunity to counter it before they engage you.

Demonicon will be more of a straight-forward story than a puzzle game that would require you to figure things out in order to advance, which lets you enjoy the nature of the story itself. It’s estimated that to play through the entirety of the game will take around 25 hours, give or take a few. There will be a variety of settings, from the dark and ominous cave that the adventure begins in to fields and cathedrals. One big downside is that at this point it is expected to be strictly single-player, which virtually squanders the availability of Cairon’s sister, Calandra. Some games simply throw in a multiplayer or co-op mode for the sake of having one, but utilizing the role of Calandra seems like a great opportunity that is being wasted. In the future it may be possible for a co-op mode to take place, but as of right now it will focus solely on the single-player mode. But, with this being Kalypso’s first title of this sort their concentration is in ensuring it is of the best quality possible as a single player game before branching outward.

The Dark Eye: Demonicon is expected to be available in September or October of 2012, and will release for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.