Noticed The First Templar is on daily deal on Steam. I don't know if $7.50 is worth it, but you have 19 hours as of my typing to decide.

The First Templar has been reviewed at Worthplaying, where they weren't particularly impressed. The score is 5.8/10 due to a list of shortcomings. A bit on the RPG elements:

Despite what the box description says, The First Templar is more of an action game than an RPG. Your player is equipped with various attack types, and there's a combo system. Experience is gained after the conclusion of every fight or after the completion of any quest, but it is used as currency to buy more health orbs or learn more combos and defensive moves instead of for character advancement. You can find and assemble different pieces of armor and weapons, but they're merely cosmetic changes as opposed to actual combat benefits. Game progression is split up into levels instead of being one big, seamless experience, and you even find certain items that only last for as long as the level does. Aside from the experience, the only RPG-like mechanic is the presence of side-quests that pop up alongside your main quests in a given level.

With plenty of RPG aspects missing, it's the combat system that proves to be somewhat interesting. It's a bit free-flowing in that you never really lock on to an enemy. The game sort of gravitates you toward an enemy when you attack, almost letting you take care of large mobs by yourself without much trouble. Your defenses are limited to tumbling, but things open up when you're on the ground since you can actually roll around to avoid ground strikes. It's not exactly the deepest hand-to-hand combat system out there, but it is enjoyable on a basic level.

This is the second review of The First Templar we've seen from a major site and IGN has hammered the game, with a 4/10 score. "Not good", would probably summarise their view:

Looks aside, the major appeal of The First Templar is its story and combat. Unfortunately the story is weak and clichéd, with all the predictable twists and turns I'd expect out of a cheesy action film. The characters aren't particularly interesting, and there isn't enough dialogue between them or background given to the world to make it more than an excuse to put you in a bunch of different environments.

No matter how varied the environments are, though, the levels boil down to the same thing. Your character is funneled down one long path, forced to fight waves of imbecilic enemies and be beaten over the head with the solutions to any puzzles before them. Combat is basically a button mashing affair, where you can generally beat everyone around you just by swinging away like a mad man. Some later fights do force you to block and dodge, but this is mostly because they throw a ton of really dumb enemies at you, rather than presenting enemies that are genuinely challenging and fun to fight.

The first review we've seen for The First Templar from a major site is up at GameSpot. Despite a general lack of polish, the underlying charm was strong enough for a 7/10 score:

If you break down the individual pieces of this budget-priced RPG, there isn't much that hasn't been done before. The basic structure feels like many other games, and the combat hardly reinvents the wheel. But there's an enticing charm that makes it difficult to pull away once you begin your journey. Strong visual design certainly helps. You travel across Europe and the Middle East, through sun-drenched deserts and besieged towns, and every area has a unique look and is just begging to be explored. And you can even play through with a friend, though the execution is sadly lacking. There's no drop-in/drop-out option, so you need to start a new session if you want to investigate these lands with a buddy. There are small problems swirling around the periphery of this game, but none of these issues can completely derail your enjoyment. The First Templar is a fun and varied chase for one of the most sought-after items in existence.

Here's a trio of The First Templar Reviews. No major sites yet but it's a start. Zohaib points out this first one at GamerBuzz with a score of 7.5/10:

I actually enjoyed romping around medieval grounds with a heretic at my side. Looking at Kalypso Media’s history of games, I was surprised when they brought a co-op medieval hack n’ slash to the gaming table; they deserve another notch on their belt. The game is a solid adventure with great combat cut scenes. I would recommend this game to any soul that enjoys epic quests. It’s a great stab at the genre; I just wish it didn’t bear so much resemblance to AC.  If you like medieval stories, then you should pick up a copy.

Geek of the Day are less impressed, suggesting you buy Assassin's Creed instead. A snip on linearity:

While playing through the varying different levels of towns, keeps, crypts, tunnels, swamps, burning forests, and castles (some burning, some not), I was disappointed with the bushes, rocks, fences, and every other part of the environment restricting my movements; there were ladders that could not be climbed, rivers that could not be forged, doorways that could not be passed through, and areas that could not be accessed, blocked by invisible forces. Alas, there were several texture errors, where it seems that you could see through stone walls, or you character would be floating above the ground of some stone ramp, and while not a perfectionist myself, I would expect that programmers would better field-test these issues, as it is an instant mood-killer.

I also felt more like I was being corralled, guided along a specific path. In today’s game world, gamers want to feel like they’ve made the decision to go in a specific direction, not herded along like third-person cattle. While there were some vast landscapes, and diverse environmental settings, I still had restricted paths, and only in a few situations could I flank the opponents.

The UK Sun has a micro-review but the score is roughly consistent at 3.5/5:

A well-made game, justifying the revised release date.

Kalypso announces The First Templar is now available in NA for both PC and the X360 - apparently digital releases will be "in the next few days". Head to Blue's for the press release.

The First Templar has been released in the UK, a week earlier than we expected it. Here's a snip from the press release at GameBanshee:

The Conspiracy Begins as ‘The First Templar’ Hits UK Stores

Bracknell, UK – 6th May 2011 – Kalypso Media, a global publisher of award-winning PC and console games, is thrilled to announce the UK launch of the highly anticipated action/adventure game The First Templar for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. The First Templar will also be available as a digital purchase through multiple portals from 12th May. For more information please visit www.thefirsttemplar-game.com

The First Templar is a co-operative action adventure game, set in a dark and gritty portrayal of the late 13th Century during the Crusade where old friends become enemies, corruption spreads throughout the Church and once noble knights oppress the weak and renounce their oaths.

Follow the path of two unlikely heroes on their search for the Holy Grail. The young French Templar Celian teams up with the noble lady and proclaimed heretic Marie to unveil a grand conspiracy within the Order of the Knights Templar. The heroes face powerful opponents at every turn including the Saracen, King Philip of France and the Holy Inquisition.

They also have a video showing the first 10 minutes of gameplay on the same page.

Thanks, Zohaib.

UK site Everybody Plays has interviewed Haemimont game designer Bissar Dynakov about The First Templar. Here's a bit about historical accuracy, although the videos I've seen would seem to push the boudaries pretty hard:

he First Templar is a co-operative action adventure game, set in a dark and gritty portrayal of the late 13th Century during the Crusades where old friends become enemies, corruption spreads throughout the Church and once noble knights oppress the weak and renounce their oaths.

Follow the path of two unlikely heroes on their search for the Holy Grail. The young french Templar Celian teams up with the noble lady and proclaimed heretic Marie to unveil a grand conspiracy within the Order of the Knights Templar. The heroes face powerful opponents at every turn including the Saracen, King Philip of France and the Holy Inquisition.

The First Templar offers a captivating campaign that can be enjoyed alone or cooperatively with a friend. When playing solo, the player can switch freely between the two characters, leaving the control of the second hero to the game's AI. At any time, a second player may join in and take control of the second hero.

Are you strong enough to fight your enemies with different weapons, unique combos or team attacks and unravel the biggest mystery of mankind...?

Thanks, Zohaib.