Games
Sony
Microsoft
Nintendo
Other Platforms
Upcoming &
Recent Releases
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Interplay / Black Isle Studios
Developer: Snowblind Studios
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 22, 2002
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]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central IGN Insider Guide
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Play Magazine
Subtle touches like added rain and higher resolution go a long way, especially when a game is this beautiful to begin with. [Dec 2002, p.82]
Adrenaline Vault
The graphics are of unprecedented quality, and the gameplay is well implemented, balanced, addictive, and bug-free.
Read Full Review >AtomicGamer
Still, it's immense fun for two players, and the game is easy enough for anyone to pick up and get immersed in. If you like D&D games and are up for some monster killing action, this is your game.
Read Full Review >GameZone
With great visuals, sound, controls and plenty of high-adventure, Dark Alliance is a very gratifying and addictive RPG experience.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
It is a bit too short and a lot too linear, but the combination of great graphics, sound, and theme make for a fun experience.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
A great action-oriented RPG for those who like to spend more time killing hordes of monsters than reading screen after screen of conversational text.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
The [Xbox] game is crisper, has more resplendent visuals, a more balanced level of challenge, and swifter load times. [Dec 2002, p.142]
GamingTrend
If you like "Gauntlet style" hack-n-slash style games, then Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is definitely for you.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
If you love magic and mosters, you really can't go wrong. [Dec 2002, p.142]
IGN
A fantastic game. There is a sense of overall refinement and polish that makes it hard not to like anything about it.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
if you either don't have a PS2 or overlooked Dark Alliance amid the holiday rush last year, then you shouldn't miss this opportunity to get what's easily one of the finest action RPGs ever made.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
I’m not sure why there’s no support for a third player, but multiplayer is a blast none the less.
Read Full Review >TeamXbox
BG has the entire package: a great story, beautiful graphics, superb audio, all tied together with gameplay that will keep any action adventure gamer glued to their couch.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
A faithful re-creation of a stellar PS2 game, but considering the beefier hardware and a year of development time, it should have been more.
Read Full Review >GameNow
Easily the coolest "Diablo"-style RPG available on any console, and the fact that it looks almost hotter than it plays is icing on the cake. [Jan 2003, p.58]
Media and Games Online Network
The game still looks and plays great, and will have you addicted for a very long time, whether it be in the co-op or single player modes.
Read Full Review >Gamer's Pulse
It is the best RPG experience you can find on Xbox to date (sorry "Morrowind," you were impressive, but you were just not that much fun).
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
The developers didn’t tap into this system like they could have to offer new extras, four-player support, or more characters. In this regard Dark Alliance is a disappointment, but on the flip side, everything that made the PS2 game a hit has been faithfully ported over. Perhaps too faithfully.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
A beautiful-looking Dungeons & Dragons-based hack-and-slash that can be played cooperatively with another player. [Feb 2003, p.95]
GamePro
A must for every action RPG fan who doesn’t mind sharing the love with only one friend.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
As deep as any RPG, but its focus on fast-paced gameplay makes it as visceral as the spazziest beat 'em up. [Jan 2003, p.194]
GameReviewer
Good for an appertizer, and never the main course. You can beat the game in less than 12 hours, which isn't quite comparable to the usual 30+ hours that fit into other RPG's.
Read Full Review >Xbox Nation Magazine
What really shines through here is the work of extremely talented artists, and the world of Dark Alliance is full of stately detail. [Winter 2002, p.107]
Yahoo! Games
You get to impale, slash, fry, freeze and shatter zombies (all with a reliable and smooth camera that smartly scales and keeps track of the action), stomp on vermin in search of wine and money, watch the barmaid all but fall out of her blouse, and track down the scum-buckets who ripped you off in the first place.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Job A. gave it a9:
Great game! I played it on the PS2 first and its basically the same on the x-box, maybe a little crisper graphics and smoother game play. I love it, I give it a 9.5.
Rick gave it a7:
RPG's are always at the top of my list. Myself and an IT guy at work were so excited about the new engine they were developing for Neverwinter Nights on the PC that we watched as many pre-released downloads as we could in anticipation. Sadly though when the game came out the hack n slash repetition bored me, even though the graphics and environments were stellar. The same carries over into Baldurs Gate for the Xbox. Its too linear and there really is no exploration off the beaten track. A monster comes towards you press, press, press its dead! So what? Thats not gaming. I much preferred the original Baldurs Gate titles on the PC to this fare. Disappointed. Having said that I rushed out and hired the second one as soon as it came out in the hope of a better story, better puzzles, greater missions. Its just the same. Im hoping the port over some of the RPG's they have on the PS2 or do I have to wait for the 360?
Nathan H. gave it a9:
Fun game! I also enjoyed the sequel. Although the graphics were unimpressive, the gameplay and the three different playable characters were entertaining.
Andrew O. gave it a 10:
This game is the best RPG on Xbox so far, but I still have some doubts about it against Fable. ^_^
Shawn L. gave it an 8:
Great game.....love the multiplayer option. Wish it had more levels but gameplay is fun and addicting.
George M. gave it a 6:
Not quite up to par with the PC games of the same name but a fun slash and crash game. There was not enough quests, and the game was short. Unfortunately every monster on this game can be defeated by chasing them in circles until you are behind them. Still, the game was strangely addicting. Good try, but missed the mark. Hopefully the obvious sequel is longer and more quest driven.
Lori F. gave it a 10:
Best one I've seen in a long time!
