Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance

 Xbox
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. AtomicGamer
    90
    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.
  2. Adrenaline Vault
    90
    The graphics are of unprecedented quality, and the gameplay is well implemented, balanced, addictive, and bug-free.
  3. Play Magazine
    90
    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]
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  5. GameZone
    89
    With great visuals, sound, controls and plenty of high-adventure, Dark Alliance is a very gratifying and addictive RPG experience.
  6. Official Xbox Magazine
    88
    The [Xbox] game is crisper, has more resplendent visuals, a more balanced level of challenge, and swifter load times. [Dec 2002, p.142]
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  7. Armchair Empire
    88
    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.
  8. Gamers' Temple
    88
    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.
  9. GamingTrend
    86
    If you like "Gauntlet style" hack-n-slash style games, then Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is definitely for you.
  10. IGN
    85
    A fantastic game. There is a sense of overall refinement and polish that makes it hard not to like anything about it.
  11. GameSpot
    85
    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.
  12. Game Informer
    85
    If you love magic and mosters, you really can't go wrong. [Dec 2002, p.142]
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  13. Game Over Online
    85
    I'm not sure why there's no support for a third player, but multiplayer is a blast none the less.
  14. TeamXbox
    84
    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.
  15. GameSpy
    84
    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.
  16. Media and Games Online Network
    83
    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.
  17. GameNow
    83
    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]
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  18. Gamer's Pulse
    82
    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).
  19. GMR Magazine
    80
    A beautiful-looking Dungeons & Dragons-based hack-and-slash that can be played cooperatively with another player. [Feb 2003, p.95]
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  20. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    80
    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]
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  21. GameReviewer
    80
    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.
  22. GamePro
    80
    A must for every action RPG fan who doesn't mind sharing the love with only one friend.
  23. All Game Guide
    80
    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.
  24. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    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]
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  25. TotalGames.net
    70
    Having played Morrowind, however, we did feel rather constricted.
  26. Yahoo!
    70
    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.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Xbox Game of 2002
16
#16 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. iamevilhomer
    Mar 15, 2018
    9
    Played this one back in the day and I liked it a lot. Replayed it again about 15 years later and you know what? STILL LIKED IT!

    What's    Played this one back in the day and I liked it a lot. Replayed it again about 15 years later and you know what? STILL LIKED IT!

    What's great about this game is that it's hack and slash coop done really well. If you enjoy that then this is a must.

    What's lame about this game is that eventually you will unlock the best everything for your character and run out of replay value. That's the only downside. That being said... It will take you a week of on and off playing to get everything unlocked unless you abuse cheats.

    Still always a fun game to come back to every now and then and isn't the kind of game like destiny which will leave a bad taste in your mouth that never makes you want to come back.

    Starting new characters in coop and throwing down on hardmode to start is a real challenge when you're new to the game. The struggle is really fun as you and your friend work together to over come the odds. A great game when it comes to team work. If the game was single player only then I would only give it about a 7. But the coop makes it a great game to enjoy with a buddy. A lot of games have coop but usually suck. This one doesn't. It's sequel is pretty sweet too. Better in some ways : )    … Full Review »
  2. JobA.
    Mar 25, 2008
    9
    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 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.… Full Review »
  3. NathanH.
    May 27, 2005
    9
    Fun game! I also enjoyed the sequel. Although the graphics were unimpressive, the gameplay and the three different playable characters were Fun game! I also enjoyed the sequel. Although the graphics were unimpressive, the gameplay and the three different playable characters were entertaining.… Full Review »
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