Gaming Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II

[NorykoAngelcry]

[color=darkred][SIZE=1]I played the original game - Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance on the X-Box when it first came out. I was a big fan of the game, and enjoyed running around the levels with my friend Mike. . I am definitely going to play Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance II for the X-Box as well. . however, I have a few questions that I have not had luck finding any info on. .

Does anyone know if they are going to let you upload your saved data from the first game? I got a pretty good couple of characters from the first game. . and would be dissapointed to have to start all of that over again. I mean, as I am asking this, I realize that they have all new characters so I am more then likely going to have to start all over. . lol

I have not played the original game in a long time, so I don't remember how many acts the game entitled. . DA II says it has 4 acts, so I am not sure if that is going to more or less then what the original had. . anyone know?

More of a spoiler question for some of you. . Not sure who has read many of the Baldurs Gate books? -- [spoiler]In the end of the original DA, you could play the 'Guantlet' . . where you play the Dark Elf - Drizzt, with his two weapons he runs around with in the books. You also get a limited amount of health potions, and you can't save. . if you die, you die! (In case you didn't know what a guantlet was). . It was a pretty sweet little level, and unfortunately, I didn't ever get to finish it before it was due back ^_^ So. . two questions -- 1. What does beating the level do for you? I don't know, but am curious. and 2. Is there anything like this in the second game? If you were a huge fan like I was (and had the money for it), I am sure you would have this game and have beaten it already ^_^ Just curious, thanks much![/spoiler]

Well. . all I have for now. . I will try my best to convince my buddy Mike to rent the game *big grin* So, we'll see. . [/SIZE][/color]

[Semjaza]

From what I remembered, the first only had three chapters. I don't think you can carry over your stats, but I could be wrong. From what I saw, the classes were changed around a bit, so those characters might not even be the same in the second one.

In any case, I'm skipping this even though I loved the original. Snowblind was responsible for the first, but not the second. They've gone on to make some Everquest game in this vein which apparently is very good. I plan on getting that instead.

[NorykoAngelcry]

[color=darkred][SIZE=1]Hmm. . never even bothered to look at who was making this one. . That's pretty unusual for me too. . . Is the new Everquest game you are talking about for the computer or for the consoles? I played the RTS Everquest on the computer. . it was ok, but nothing special. So I am guessing you aren't talking about that one.

As for the carrying the stats. . even as I wrote that, I knew I answered my own question. . lol! Oh well, wasted time and effort *shrug* [/SIZE][/color]

[Semjaza]

I have no interest in other Everquest games, I can tell you that heh. I hate RTS games and MMORPGs aren't for me.

This is in the vein of Dark Alliance... it just seems like more of an update than the actual sequel to that game. Snowblind moved on to this, while Interplay itself basically just created more levels with the original Dark Alliance engine.

It seems to be getting more positive impressions so far. It's online too, which doesn't hurt.

[Xyandar]

I own Baldurs Gate: Dark Alliance for Xbox and it really is a good game. The only thing that gets me is that after you play it and beat it a few times it gets EXTREMELY boring..... I fall asleep playing all the time. I am however looking forward to BG:DA 2 because I have heard that you can import characters and pick from different characters. It is supposed to be more action packed and longer!

I own alot of the Baldurs Gate games. I own Baldurs Gate 1 & Expansion and 2 & Expansion for PC and Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance for Xbox. I also own NeverWinter Nights which is in relation to Baldurs Gate because people from BG are in it.

As Soon as BG DA 2 comes out I will surely buy it to continue my collection:P

[NorykoAngelcry]

[color=darkred][SIZE=1][font=verdana]I was also a big fan of Baldur's Gate on the computer. . I didn't get many of the others. . but I got to play the original and NeverWinter Nights. . both were pretty fun. . Little more of a challenge when you have more to worry about then just YOU. .

I am still working on getting my buddy Mike to rent BG: DA2 . . he thinks I should get it. . HA! Oh well. . I can wait (just got back Metroid: Prime and working on playing PSO again. . so, I have time) =P [/SIZE][/color][/font]

[Brasil]

Dark Alliance 2 had a sizeable predecessor, both in terms of gameplay and graphical achievement. The original Dark Alliance was revolutionary, and I can understand the doubts that DA2 would fail to live up to the original.

It does. In some cases, it exceeds it.

The graphics were one of the sweetest points of DA1, with gorgeous lighting effects and water and wall textures that made sweet, sweet love to the eyes. DA2 doesn't jump ahead too greatly in the graphics department. I detected no vast improvement at all. In some cases, the graphics are merely DA1. But that's not a problem, so no worries.

The gameplay of DA1 was stellar. The co-op was crafted with care, the missions and dungeons sparkled, and the controls were of a second nature even immediately picking up the controller. Dark Alliance 2 keeps this spirited tradition of fluid gaming alive.

It is best described as Dark Alliance's evolution. While the changes seem minimal, their effect is significant.

For example, in the original, we needed to carry arrows...many, many arrows. DA2 doesn't do that. Pick up a bow? Are you able to equip it? Use it. Great addition.

The targeting assist, previously requiring a feat in DA1, is readily available with a touch of the Shift button.

The feat and skill selection has been improved upon, too. Part of this ties in with the evolution of the characters, featuring a cast of dark elf necromancers, moon elf monks, dwarven rogues, human barbarians, and a cleric, the feats/skill needed an equal boost. The boost is a nice one, too.

One of the biggest pains of the original was running out of healing potions, while having an overabundance of rejuvenation potions. With the necromancer's Alchemy skill, rejuvenation potions become healing, and vice versa. It's a very handy skill, especially with the combined gold system.

Yes, combined gold. Really, I see why this system was created. In DA1, in a co-op game, each player could have amassed some 50,000 gold by Act II, which really did not add to the co-op "feel." Each player had more than enough to purchase whatever they desired.

With the combined gold, players are required to work together in order to advance in the game. Considering how expensive healing potions become later in the game, the Alchemy skill and necromancer become invaluable as rejuvenation potions are all that appear from dead corpses and barrels.

I don't have time to go into it fully, but Dark Alliance 2 is a very worthy successor. I highly recommend it for those looking for a good ole fashioned dungeon crawl with a liberal sprinkling of monster mashing mayhem. It's good times, and will convert Xbox haters!

[Semjaza]

[quote name='PoisonTongue']It's good times, and will convert Xbox haters![/quote]

I don't know how, considering it's also available on PS2 heh.

[Brasil]

[quote name='Semjaza Azazel']I don't know how, considering it's also available on PS2 heh.[/quote]

Hehe. Good point. Well, if you've got an Xbox and an Xbox hater, Dark Alliance 2 will convert them, lol. I haven't played PS2 in a long, long time, actually.

Even with a cross-console release, I often ignore the PS2 version. I don't dislike PS2; I still am able to enjoy a large amount of games on there. It's just that PS2's multiplayer capabilities aren't quite up to par with Cube and Xbox. For a game like Dark Alliance, which is only two-player, the multi aspect doesn't factor in as heavily, so then the controls are a major factor in which version I play.

I really dig the Xbox Controller S. At first, it was awkward, but I got used to it very quickly, and I've found that Dark Alliance 2's custom control configuration works beautifully with the Controller S.

[Harry]

I own this game and it's a lot of fun. It is like the first one but it does have some very nice added features. The real selling point for me is that multiple people can play at the same time not over the internet. Also Champions of Norrath (the MMORPG or whatever version of DA2) looks pretty good too.

[Zidargh]

I have a question. Due to the fact that Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance 1 was quite a short game, would you say they've added in more length to this title? Because I don't want to have wasted my money.

Thankyou.

[Syn]

I agree with Zidane, I really wasnt impressed with the first title, at all. The game itself is awesome but short is an understatement.

I've been looking for the second title but I havent been able to find it anywhere, but yes, im also interested to see whether they've added more length to it.

[Brasil]

Well, the length really depends on what kind of gamer you are. I'm a casual gamer, but when I play, I like to explore everywhere, so Dark Alliance 1 took me around 8 hours to beat it. That's with co-op. I'd imagine longer in single-player, as more leveling is required (and more running, lol).

I've heard that Dark Alliance 2 clocks in at around 10 to 11 hours. That's probably casual gamer time.

Man, that sounded rambly. :nervous: