If you’ve ever played the role of dice and paper, it is quite likely that you know the feeling of having a golden opportunity and bungling it with a bad roll. In many respects, my first impressions of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance are not much different. That said, I also have to admit that each new game grabs me a little bit more.
The Dungeons & Dragons universe returns to video games with what should be a safe bet: not only do we return to The Forgotten Kingdoms, one of the most prolific fantasy settings on PC and consoles, but also, thanks to Tuque Games , He takes over from Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, an action RPG that, everything is said, has a somewhat special affection on consoles.
If to this, which is not little, we add that Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a very free adaptation of the series of The Secession of RA Salvatore (big words) in which we are invited to live the feats of magic and swords From The Companions , the conclusion on paper is that the Tuque Games game had everything necessary to succeed .
The reality, on the other hand, is that it is a game that aspires to a lot and stumbles on the most basic: playability.
In Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance the role-playing elements are practically eclipsed by the action, and despite the fact that its setting and the way it immerses us in the Valley of the Icewind is very successful – you can see that there is a really background work interesting- the combat system, mobility and some difficult physics to defend play against him. Luckily, his massive focus on multiplayer balances the thing out.
If we remove all the elements related to Salvatore’s work, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance has a hard time finding its own identity as a game if we play on our own, but it must be recognized that its strong commitment to action and fantasy finds redemption in games with two players or more.
Because, as in most of the feats of fantasy literature, the great evils of the world are not defeated with courage, magic or simple brute force, but with the strangest and most unexpected alliances.
Welcome to the Valley of the Frozen Wind: important to bring the sharp weapon and some potions
If you are passionate about fantasy literature, in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance you will feel almost at home. The events of the game itself are a direct continuation of RA Salvatore’s The Crystal Stone (published in 1988) and take us to a tangible and imposing Valley of the Icewind , with mines where it is easy to get lost with the eyes, valleys dominated by cold and nature and caves full of traps and all kinds of beings with sharp teeth.
In fact, the setting of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is one of its great strengths, since the design of its huge levels is practically handmade. Its aesthetic is largely reminiscent of that living, twisted Middle-earth , and generous in detail imagined by Peter Jackson for the Hobbit film trilogy. In this particular case, a comparison in a good way for both licenses.
The personality infused into the settings matches that of the game’s four selectable protagonists. In this case, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance takes inspiration from the Secession series to allow us to take control of the drow Drizzt Do’Urden , the skilled archer Catti-brie , the dwarf Bruenor of the Battlehammer clan, and the barbarian of methods. effective but unorthodox Wulfgar .
In the playable, each of the heroes has their own strengths and weaknesses, so that there is a kind of implicit balance that gives strength to the multiplayer , but that consequently weighs down the individual experience: Catti-brie’s arrows are really lethal at range, but very limited in close combat. So, although we can embark on the adventure only with her, the games become much more enjoyable with at least one character in combat.
Visually, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is pretty cool. We may not be able to make a hero to taste in this game, but the protagonists, the environments and the enemies have really elaborate finishes that, unfortunately, tend to be lackluster in movement : heavy heroes have rough movements and often the reactions and the way to adapt to combat and the enemies in front is well behind what one expects in 2021.
It is not that we demand a combat system similar to that of Batman: Arkham, of course, but the blocking – which is essential in this game – or the execution of preset combos breaks more times than necessary with the dynamics of the battle. Sometimes our targets are shot out of the screen in one fell swoop and when we or our enemies are shot down, the sensation of being lifeless dolls manifests itself. That can not be.
On the other hand, the progress and loot system is quite unique: we must complete the adventures to release equipment, which is generated in a chest as if they were loot boxes with the preset rarity. Unfortunately, most of the time what we get are disappointing parts for which we will be paid a pittance.
In addition, the way to unlock skills and level up does not promote that we alternate between the four available heroes , but that we hold on to it and improve it. Above all, when the most recommended thing to avoid getting scalded when trying another character is to repeat the overcome scenarios and return to the most basic difficulties. That is definitely not the best way to do it.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance returning to The Forgotten Realms is always better in company
With the above in mind, practically all the weaknesses of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance are more or less cushioned when sharing games and adventures online. To start with, because what we do will not condition the rest of the players: we can move freely around the game stage and dedicate ourselves to looting or fighting without hindering the rest.
However, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance becomes really interesting by balancing the strengths and weaknesses of our character with those of the other players. Both in combat and when solving the sections of each level. Especially if we play with friends and through voice chat, when there is a really clear vision of what to do, where to go and you can even define the role of each one on the fly.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is not a modern version of Golden Ax or Gauntlet, nor does it pretend to be, but the best of sharing the game of these classics is present in the game. Above all, based on the fact that the traditional role-playing approach is very diluted from experience in favor of action and exploration. Although, in fairness, by constantly improving our character we will notice that the games become increasingly bearable, and interesting.
While there is a tenuous storyline throughout Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance , the truth is that in the end it comes down to traversing twisted settings, opening doors or cranking, and quite often pulverizing evil creatures.
The loot and the improvements in increasing difficulty levels are powerful incentives to repeat scenarios, which will not be optional after a certain point, but it must be recognized that the Tuque Games title easily promotes that we continue playing if our team it is well understood both in combat and when discovering treasures not so visible.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Allianc e could have been better, of course. A much more fluid gameplay, a better planned progression system, a greater initial selection of protagonists and, above all, a way to reinforce that we also play alone would have rounded up an experience that is tremendously faithful to the material of Dungeons & Dragons , but that it doesn’t quite shine enough as an action adventure game. And, in a way, it is quite modest when it comes to introducing RPG elements compared to the rest of the games published by Wizards of the Coast.
And yet, to date and since its launch, it has never taken me too long to find fellow adventurers thirsty and more than willing to venture into the Valley of the Frozen Wind. There must be a reason.
- Platforms: Xbox (included in Game Pass), PC, PS5 and PS4
- Multiplayer: Yes, up to 4 players online.
- Developer: Tuque Games
- Company: Wizards of the Coast
- Released: June 22, 2021
