Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II, Sony Playstation

The 2001 release of Interplay's Dark Alliance was very well received, delivering absolutely gorgeous visuals, a solid game engine and some great role-playing gameplay. It was critically acclaimed by the majority, and now, some two years later, its sequel is ready for human consumption on PlayStation 2. Darkness gathers yet again in the sprawling port city of Baldur's Gate. Bloodthirsty bandits stalk the trade roads and a secret society of heartless assassins dominate the criminal underworld. The city's most recent saviours vanished along with the Onyx Tower, and so, in heroic tradition, adventurers throughout the Western Heartlands make the journey to Baldur's Gate to meet their unknown fate. Although something of a traditional story for an RPG, Dark Alliance 2, like its predecessor, doesn't over emphasise on plotlines and dialogue. Instead it focuses on gameplay and all of the aspects therein. The game itself is perhaps best described as a hack 'n' slash affair. The world of Baldur's Gate is spread across some 40 or so levels in which players assume control of various warriors armed with a wealth of weapons and magic abilities. There are a few puzzles elements included in the experience, but fundamentally players are simply charged with eliminating all enemies within these monster-infested levels. However, there are several hidden areas, secret characters and items to discover, adding an element of exploration to the game. The single player game is compelling, but Dark Alliance's two-player co-op mode is extremely appealing. Having players pooling their talents and facing difficult tasks together makes the experience much more interesting and enjoyable. Overall, Dark Alliance 2 is a welcome sequel that leaves players wanting more.

Buy Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II for 19.99 GBP

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