The Codexers don't like Drakensang, for whatever reason. Maybe their sunglasses aren't strong enough for the game's graphics.

Radon Labs indeed cut out 75% of the DSA system. But the rest is still quite a lot. Some of the skills are certainly underused. That's no surprise for a dev's first RPG.

You need is patience, though. The game gets better and better with increasing complexity. As always things start really simple. Or more directly: The start ( = the demo) is the game's slowest and most undemanding part.