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 Be led through 'Baldur's Gate' A Review By Glen Osterberger A couple of years ago I borrowed "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" from a friend and I proceeded to lose a weekend as I played the addictive game. Hours were lost as I trekked through bleak sewers as a mighty dwarf, human ranger or elven mage. Even more hours were lost as I explored barren hills filled with all manner of beasts. Grumbles and shrieks filled the air as I died or was surrounded by a horde of villains. I looked up and it was four in the morning. I told myself that I wasn't going to do the same thing the next day but soon the lure of the game called me back. "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II" features the same addictive game play that kept me awake with the first one. It is a basic hack-and-slash game that really shouldn't be so addictive but it is challenging enough to make the player want to go on. This game takes place in the same realm as the "Baldur's Gate" PC games, but it is a more action-oriented game than the PC counterpoint. "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance" and "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II" are Playstation 2 games that features game play similar to "Gauntlet" and "Diablo" but adds enough variation to make it fun. Players of the first one will recognize the dwarf, human and elf from the introduction. The opening cinematic shows how, after defeating their enemy, they pass through a gate and find even greater peril. I can only assume that the heroes in this game will at some point quest to find the captured heroes. In "Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II" gamers play a human barbarian, a dwarven rogue, a human cleric, an elf necromancer and a dark elf monk. Each of these characters has strengths and weakness and each can lead to side quests and stories (all of which add to the replay value). Generally the player goes from point to point with various quests, hacking and slashing and picking up things on the quest. It really manages to hook players with its basic story and fun action. It also has a nice graphic interface of the character that is fun to play and equip with various treasures along the way. All in all, it is a solid button-masher with just enough perks to make it a totally addictive experience. |
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