Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for PlayStation 2
- ESRB Descriptor: Violence Blood Use of Alcohol
- ESRB Rating: T - (Teen)
- Publisher: Interplay Productions
- Genre: Action Adventure
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Baldur's Gate : Dark Alliance for PS2
Pros
Wonderful graphics, plays like Gauntlet Legends or Diablo
Cons
Not like the PC games
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is the PS2 answer to Diablo II or Gauntlet Legends.
I've played and finished both Baldur's Gate I and II for PC, so when I saw that there was a Baldur's Gate game out for PlayStation 2, I knew that I had to have it. For those who have played the PC versions of this game, you will notice right off that this is not really anything like the PC version. This version is more like a top-down arcade style role playing game.
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance for PlayStation 2 is actually a lot like Gauntlet Legends. Many people are comparing it to Diablo, but I think it is more like Gauntlet. In this game, you have a top-down view of the characters and the camera angles change depending on where you are. In some areas you can move the camera around, while it is fixed in others. You get a very high perspective on the game board, so you can get a clear view of what all is happening.
The game starts out with you being the new guy in town. Not long after you get there, you are jumped by two thieves who steal all your possessions and nearly kill you in the process. This is your classic 'start out with nothing' approach to role playing games. Next, you find yourself in a tavern and are hired to clear out the cellar beneath it for gold and items. And so your quest begins…
Gameplay - B+
Gameplay in Baldur's gate functions like Diablo or Gauntlet Legends. You press a button every time you swing your sword or shoot your bow, so be ready for sore thumbs if you play for extended periods of time. The action is plentiful, but not too fierce. So far, I haven't found anything too difficult about the game.
One thing I don't like is that when you are attacking something, your character will move forward with each hit. When you hit something 5 or 6 times, you will move forward enough to possibly be surrounded by other monsters. I don't like this at all.
This game is based loosely on the new 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules, but almost too loosely. At one point early on in the game, when you are about level 5 or 6, you will have to fight a beholder. Anyone who has ever played D&D knows that a level 5 or 6 character, going solo, wouldn't last two seconds against a beholder. There are a lot of other things that go against the D&D rules, but you'd have to be a player to notice them.
Overall, this game lacks the depth of the PC version of the Baldur's Gate games, as this title is really an arcade-style hack-n-slash type RPG.
Graphics and Sound - A
The graphics in this game are top notch all the way. From the lighting effects to the color blending and anti-aliasing, this is one crispy-looking game. One of the most impressive parts is when your character wades through water. The ripples created are extremely realistic and you can see the water sloshing up on the side of the river banks. Character animation is fairly lifelike, and all the female characters have massive breasts (no surprise here).
The music is ambient, but good, and you really don't notice it. The monster sounds are decent, and consist mostly of grunts and squeaks. However, the voice acting is top-notch all the way.
Overall - B+
As much as I like the Baldur's Gate games, this one tends to get a little repetitive at times. It tries to be a lot like Diablo or Gauntlet Legends, but moves just a little too slowly for that. The game is also quite linear, which turns off a lot of people, especially when it comes to role playing games.
This one will take you a while to finish, so don't expect to rent it and beat it over the weekend. If you are considering buying it, I suggest you rent it first to see if its really what you are looking for.
Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance for PlayStation 2 is actually a lot like Gauntlet Legends. Many people are comparing it to Diablo, but I think it is more like Gauntlet. In this game, you have a top-down view of the characters and the camera angles change depending on where you are. In some areas you can move the camera around, while it is fixed in others. You get a very high perspective on the game board, so you can get a clear view of what all is happening.
The game starts out with you being the new guy in town. Not long after you get there, you are jumped by two thieves who steal all your possessions and nearly kill you in the process. This is your classic 'start out with nothing' approach to role playing games. Next, you find yourself in a tavern and are hired to clear out the cellar beneath it for gold and items. And so your quest begins…
Gameplay - B+
Gameplay in Baldur's gate functions like Diablo or Gauntlet Legends. You press a button every time you swing your sword or shoot your bow, so be ready for sore thumbs if you play for extended periods of time. The action is plentiful, but not too fierce. So far, I haven't found anything too difficult about the game.
One thing I don't like is that when you are attacking something, your character will move forward with each hit. When you hit something 5 or 6 times, you will move forward enough to possibly be surrounded by other monsters. I don't like this at all.
This game is based loosely on the new 3rd Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules, but almost too loosely. At one point early on in the game, when you are about level 5 or 6, you will have to fight a beholder. Anyone who has ever played D&D knows that a level 5 or 6 character, going solo, wouldn't last two seconds against a beholder. There are a lot of other things that go against the D&D rules, but you'd have to be a player to notice them.
Overall, this game lacks the depth of the PC version of the Baldur's Gate games, as this title is really an arcade-style hack-n-slash type RPG.
Graphics and Sound - A
The graphics in this game are top notch all the way. From the lighting effects to the color blending and anti-aliasing, this is one crispy-looking game. One of the most impressive parts is when your character wades through water. The ripples created are extremely realistic and you can see the water sloshing up on the side of the river banks. Character animation is fairly lifelike, and all the female characters have massive breasts (no surprise here).
The music is ambient, but good, and you really don't notice it. The monster sounds are decent, and consist mostly of grunts and squeaks. However, the voice acting is top-notch all the way.
Overall - B+
As much as I like the Baldur's Gate games, this one tends to get a little repetitive at times. It tries to be a lot like Diablo or Gauntlet Legends, but moves just a little too slowly for that. The game is also quite linear, which turns off a lot of people, especially when it comes to role playing games.
This one will take you a while to finish, so don't expect to rent it and beat it over the weekend. If you are considering buying it, I suggest you rent it first to see if its really what you are looking for.
