Game Review: BG: Dark Alliance

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-03-29 12:50pm

Okay! Sir Nitram has finally gotten his grubby magepaws on a Baldur's Gate game! Granted, it's the PS2 game Dark Alliance, which may well fall a good deal short of the computer ones. But it's good enough for me to review:

Characters: One of three to pick.

Dwarven Fighter: Your typical 'bash things' character. I've not played much with this one, but he does come up really short in times when the game throws a horde of enemies with ranged weapons at you. Still, if you excell at Diable-style melee, this guy will kick butt.

Human Archer: Okay, this guy I played the whole way through. He's a good balance: Can use a sword for close up bashfests, can hit opponents from afar with his mighty bow, and his magic skills shore up his lacking damage. The only problem is the weight of all those arrows, but it's quite possible to get by. Hail Of Arrows is a great ability, get it as soon as possible.. Just remember it sucks up arrows.

Elven Sorcereress: Badass in a can. Or, as it turns out, a strangely bikini-like suit of leather armour. While it can take a while before you can stick to spells all the time, Ball Lightning can handle most any problem.. A fun character to play, simply for the animations of lightning, fireballs, and meteors coming from above.

Storyline: Fairly good, actually. It's very linear(From here to here to here), and the 'sidequests' are all along the main path, but it still keeps you interested for the haul. It takes about 3-4 hours to complete once you know it.. But the plot twists will keep you interested the first time, definately.

Difficulty: Equipped with three default levels, one bonus level, and an extra arena to run around, this is well done. 'Easy' is damn easy, but then again, it's aimed at controller-throwers, little brothers, and those who are new to Diablo-style combat. The downside? The equipment sucks, and it takes a while to build up money! Completing the game once opens the 'Gauntlet', a chance to take Drizz't(Yes, that Drow) through a few rooms full of baddies. It's a timed slash-fest, but if you finish in fifteen minutes, Extreme difficulty is unlocked.. And it's crack onna stick(Rats have around 70HP.. And you can find Rings Of Strength +15, for Gods sake).

Extreme Mode is, well, nasty. Don't underestimate it, or it will kill your punk ass.

Overall: A highly addicting slashfest with a good plot and good replay, and bloody challenging on the high difficulty levels. Those who don't have any skill in Diablo-style combat don't need to despair if they're borrowing it from a friend or renting it: A cheat code that allows invunerability, and a simple trick for getting XP and gold early make it possible to play all the way through without too much difficulty.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-03-29 12:54pm

It cant compare to the PC Baldurs Gate games.....those were the best.....

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-03-29 12:54pm

Nice review...played it when came out.

My only problem is after beating Extreme mode...nothing else to do(well go through with Driz...but still not much)

Looking forward to the next one where I can craft items and weapons and have extra classes.

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-03-29 12:56pm

*sits on his hands and waits for the Neverwinter Nights Expansion*

I need to play a harper damnit.

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2003-03-29 01:00pm

Keevan_Colton wrote:*sits on his hands and waits for the Neverwinter Nights Expansion*

I need to play a harper damnit.

LOL...are they going to include that?

Still waiting

And for Nitram link

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-03-29 01:01pm

They are including prestige classes such as Harpers, so sayeth the bioware website anyway.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-03-29 01:31pm

Alyrium wishes he had a PS2

Keevan_Colton · Post by **Keevan_Colton** » 2003-03-29 01:38pm

From what I've seen of it it cant hope to compare to playing BG2: Throne of Bhaal with The Darkest Day mod.....especially with a wild mage.....

Wild Surge : Roll Three More Time....
Wild Surge : Caster becomes Target....
Wild Surge : Multiple casts....
Wild Surge : Is that a gate I see....

Funniest moment ever in a BG game.....

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-03-29 01:46pm

My boyfriend plays BG2:DA on his (now b0rked) PS2. The PS2 has since been sent off for repairs.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2003-03-29 02:23pm

Ghost Rider wrote:Nice review...played it when came out.

My only problem is after beating Extreme mode...nothing else to do(well go through with Driz...but still not much)

Looking forward to the next one where I can craft items and weapons and have extra classes.

Quite.. That makes it more a 'must borrow from friend' than a 'must buy'.

If the general opinion is that the PC games make this pale in comparison, I see I must now lay siege to a computer game shop til I get one of them. And yes, the sequel looks sweet.