• Publisher: VU Games
  • Release Date: Dec 2, 2001
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

  • Summary: A darkness is gathering in the sprawling port town of Baldur's Gate. Members of the deteriorating city have been found dead, people fear leaving home, and rumors abound of a thieves' guild civil war brewing beneath the streets of the city. The player, down on his luck and carrying little other than a sword strapped to his back, comes fresh to the town and becomes all that stands in the way of the greatest threat ever to strike Baldur's Gate and the Sword Coast. [Interplay] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. A fine RPG, very loosely based upon a simplified Dungeons & Dragons motif. The game mechanics are easy, leaving you to focus on the puzzles, the high-adrenaline battles, and the lustful visuals.
  2. A superb game. [Feb 2002, p.59]
  3. [It will] suck you in faster than an arrow into a gelatinous cube. [Jan 2002, p.202]
  4. 60
    It can be improved upon, by making the story less ambiguous and more involving without making it feel like an afterthought. The gameplay aspect could definitely be less tedious and provide more side quests or alternative options.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Negative: 2 out of 30
  1. 10
    This is the game that sets the standards for RPG's on the Plyastation 2, why? It is the first RPG on the PS2, every PS2 RPG to come after it has some resemblance, though minimal at some point, they do bear resemblance. While it may bear more resemblance to an action-adventure game, it is still a RPG at its core, being played out in chapters, a very D&D level up system and an incredible graphics engine. What is not to love about this RPG?

    Its not about the hack and slash, but its rather the intriguing story that goes behind this Call of Duty for Storytellers. It has incredible graphics, D&D monsters, D&D setting, D&D spells, D&D level up system and lots of blood and gore in great graphics. I say again: Whats not to love?
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  2. This is a prime example of a dungeon crawler. Its addictive, has great characters, and a good range of environments. From the moment I finished the first dungeon I was sucked in, and for the short 10 hours it lasts its worth every penny. What I simply dont get is why there is such rave reviews - its good at what it does but its lacking in so many respects. In short; you go through dungeons, try and find the best weapons, and level up your skills. Thats it.
    The game could have been greatly enhanced if there were side quests or other things to find. As it stands its fun and addictive but is not on my top list of great RPG games. Even still, its definitely worth a pop.
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  3. ReinholdH.
    6
    This game is "Gauntlet" with better graphics but no four- player capacity. As a D&D player of ten years, let me assure you that this title does NOT use the 3rd edition rules as promised. The spell choices are poor. You have, like, two: burning hands and magic missile. You have only three character types (which are not even real D&D character classes) from which to choose, and all stats are pre-generated, so there's no customization. The game is as monotonous as "Gauntlet." There is only one "platforming" scene. The puzzles (comprising of pulling switches) lack originality. The game, in fact, lacks originality and variety. It's not like you'll get tired of it, though. It takes only 10 hours to complete. Not enough bang for my buck, thank you. Expand
  4. MichaelC.
    2
    Nice game, except for some of the level design. Whoever thought that Thieve's Guild, level 2 was a good idea was a jerk. Dying 50+ times until you get a lucky sequence of platform drops is the worst game experience I have ever had. Expand

See all 30 User Reviews