There was a time when the kingdom of Algaesia flourished, a time without tyranny or fear, when dragon riders filled the sky. But that time has long passed and the ruthless Galbatorix now rules the land. And Durza, a wicked Shade, enforces Galbatorix' iron rule. But the reach of despots is limited and even Galbatorix could not touch one unsuspecting farm boy, a boy whose heart burned with hope and courage.
Game play:
You are that farm boy, named Eragon, and you're hunting a deer. This level is to learn the basic moves and attacks.
Follow the forest path and jump on the low ledges. Destroy the weeds that block your path, learning the regular attack, Knockback Swipe, Knockdown Smash, Stun Attack, and Grapple Combo.
Cut scene:
Durza, along with a group of Urgals, ambushes a party of three elves. They kill two of them. The remaining female elf fights off several Urgals but Durza then traps her in a circle of fire. She holds a large blue stone close to her chest.
Game play:
Continue along the path, chasing the deer. Jump and pull up on the ledge and proceed. Jump on the next ledge, shimmy left across the river (notice the blue object in the background while you do so), drop on the other side and proceed. Before the natural bridge (when Eragon says "give up, you're mine"), jump up on the right ledge, pull yourself up to a hidden area to find the secret egg (unlocked: Edward John Speleers "Eragon" interview). Return to the natural bridge and proceed through it. You arrive at the bow practice area. Shoot the nearby targets with regular shots and the further targets with precision shots.
Cut scene:
Durza attempts to steal the blue stone from the female elf, named Arya. However, she manages to teleport it elsewhere through magic. The stone lands near Eragon, and that's how faith put her finger on a simple farm boy, a boy destined to change the world.
Eragon soon discovers that what he found in the Spine was not just a simple stone, but an egg, an egg containing a small blue dragon. The dragon quickly grew, as did the bond between them, resulting in a mark on his hand. Eragon learns that the two could communicate without speaking.
Galbatorix meanwhile was furious that the egg was lost and he commanded Durza to find it. He feared a new rider would strengthen the resistance, lead by a group called the Varden.
Chapter 2: Carvahall
Cut scene:
In Eragon's hometown of Carvahall the old hermit Brom told the story of Galbatorix' rise to power, how he betrayed and murdered the dragon riders of old. But such talk was treason in a land ruled with fear. Other sinister acts played out that night as Durza summoned his servants, the Ra'zac, to scout the town.
Game play:
Brom is attacked by swordsmen and Eragon comes to his aid. These are simple enemies so you can just use random combos or take them out from a distance with your bow. You can also kick or throw them into the fire. Grab red orbs they drop if
you get hurt, or try to lure Brom through them if he needs health.
After the first battle you'll witness Urgals attacking the villagers and the Ra'zac arriving in town. Brom decides to avoid them and you'll enter a cellar. Smash the chest to reveal a red orb (large healh orb), get it or lure Brom through it. Go right and smash another chest containing a green orb which will help fill the fury meter. Smash the barrels to the right and go through the doorway.
This time you run into a group of Urgals. Take them out with combos and/or precision shots. There's a chest on the right side that you can smash for health if needed.
After the battle you'll enter the smithy. Take out the swordsman with a precision shot. Before the other swordsmen arrive, jump and pull yourself up at the far end of the first overhanging beam to find the Secret Egg (unlocked: game design interview). Go back down and take out the swordsmen - also here you can kick or throw them into the fire in the center of the room.
You arrive at the butchery and see the Ra'zac questioning the butcher about the blue stone. The Ra'zac spot Brom and Eragon, but you're separated from them by a wooden barrier. Work your way to the right side of the room, destroying the barrels and hanging meat while avoiding the Ra'zac's blades swinging through the gaps of the barrier. You can even have the Ra'zac destroy obstacles near the barrier by luring them there. Don't try to kill the Ra'zac because you can't (but will later in the game).
Cut scene:
Returning home, Eragon was too late to save his uncle Garrow who was fatally wounded by the Ra'zac. Realizing Eragon is the new dragon rider, Brom takes Eragon to safety.
Chapter 3: Daret Docks
Cut scene:
Eragon named the dragon Saphira. As they traveled the long journey to the sanctuary of the Varden, Brom taught Eragon about the ways of the dragon rider. They eventually stopped at the Village of Daret for supplies. Little did they know the king's forces were lying in wait.
Game play:
Take out the swordsmen - ignore Brom saying there's too many of them. You can destroy many wooden barriers and kick/throw the enemies into the water. Jump down on the left side of the platform and continue fighting more swordsmen. When they're at a distance, use your bow. Continue following the wooden platforms and taking out swordsmen. At a certain point you'll be blocked by barrels while archers shoot at you from above ahead of you. Shoot the archers, destroy the barrels and jump up on the platform to your right.
You'll pass a hut and Brom will be punched by an Urgal lying in wait. Eragon uses magic to throw spears, taking out multiple Urgals at once - the first time Eragon uses magic, a gift all dragon riders possess.
Use magic on the spears to take out the archers and swordsmen that appear ahead. then use your magic on the crane to flip the wooden platform. Climb the wooden platform and proceed, killing the Urgals that come either with magic on spears or regular combat. When you arrive at the next crane, use magic on it and use a precision shot on the crane load to cut its line, killing the Urgals below. At the next crane do the same and use magic on the wooden boards to create a wooden platform.
Proceed and kill the next group of Urgals. You'll arrive at a ship with Urgals shooting fire arrows from the opposite side. Note that enemy archers will always shoot at the nearest target. If you stand closer to them than Brom, block their arrows while Brom can shoot at them without being shot at himself.
(Unlocked: Art Direction interview)
(Unlocked: "Birth of a Game", Don Daglow interview)
