The First Templar is an action-adventure game with RPG elements that places players in control of a French Templar knight named Celian and his companion during a quest set in the late 13th century. The core experience revolves around uncovering secrets tied to the Templar Order while navigating a conspiracy that involves the Inquisition, political figures like King Philip IV of France, and the pursuit of the Holy Grail. Combat forms the central loop, supported by character switching, light progression systems, and occasional stealth or puzzle segments that break up the action.
Gameplay
Players engage in third-person hack-and-slash combat focused on sword strikes, blocks, and special abilities. Basic attacks chain into combos, while building up Zeal allows access to stronger moves such as charges, spinning attacks, and area clears. Blocking and countering play a key role against groups of enemies, and downed foes can be finished with specific executions. Each character brings distinct strengths: Celian leans toward balanced paladin-style options, Marie emphasizes quicker rogue tactics, and Roland offers heavier fighter approaches. Switching between the two active heroes happens instantly, letting players adapt to situations or cover for the AI companion during solo play.
Progression comes through experience points earned from combat, objectives, and chests scattered across levels. These points feed into skill trees that expand health, toughness, and new attack options for each character. Exploration rewards optional goals and hidden items that provide temporary buffs or permanent upgrades. Stealth sections allow undetected movement in certain areas, while puzzles often require coordinating the two heroes, such as one holding position while the other interacts with mechanisms. Levels feature multiple routes and a mix of linear paths with some branching for variety.
Game Modes
The game supports single-player and two-player cooperative experiences. In solo mode, the AI controls the second character while the player switches freely between both. Drop-in co-op lets a second player join at any time to take over the AI-controlled hero, with seamless transitions for local split-screen or online play. Puzzles and combat encounters are designed to work in either setup, though coordinated teamwork shines in co-op for faster clears and shared revives. No additional modes like competitive multiplayer or separate campaigns exist beyond the main story progression.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Celian and his companion, a noblewoman branded a heretic, as they investigate the Templar Order amid broader conflicts involving Saracen forces and church authorities. The journey spans European countryside locations and extends toward the Outremer, blending historical figures and events with the central mystery of the Holy Grail. Character interactions provide occasional lighter moments amid the conspiracy plot, and player choices at key points influence the ending narration without altering core events.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception has been mixed, with praise centered on responsive combat and the value of co-op for making encounters and puzzles more engaging. Criticism often targets inconsistent polish, AI behavior in solo sessions, and straightforward puzzles. The title suits players interested in a budget-era hack-and-slash experience with a medieval Templar theme and drop-in co-op support. It remains available on Xbox platforms through backward compatibility, offering a complete single playthrough of roughly 10 to 15 hours depending on exploration. Those who enjoy character switching and light skill customization alongside straightforward action will find the most satisfaction here, particularly in local co-op sessions.
