OriginalFalloutDeveloper Black Isle Studios released theD&Daction RPGBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2in 2004. And while the publisher’s bankruptcy ultimately killed the series, the game is nevertheless considered among thebestDungeons & Dragonsvideo gamesever made.
Developers announced a remastered version ofBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2last year. Now, Black Isle is gearing up to release the upgradedDark Alliance 2on July 20th for PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and current and last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3 Update Adds New Playable Race and Class
Developersannounced the release window forDark Alliance 2’s remasterin June, but only today confirmed the specific date. Adapted from the “Forgotten Realms”Dungeons & Dragonssetting,Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2lets players choose between five adventurers with unique backstories, motivations, and fighting styles. The hack-and-slash action RPG is played from an isometric perspective and has gameplay that some players compared to theDiabloseries.Dark Alliance 2’sremaster preserves most of these features, with the Steam version supporting online play and the original’s local co-op.
The developers haven’t mentioned any other substantial gameplay changes, but the remaster comes with a significant graphical overhaul. While hardly shooting for photorealism,the remasteredBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2boasts native 4K resolution on newer consoles and looks about on par with 2021’sDiablo 2: Resurrected. The remastered game also features Steam Remote Play and is Steam Deck certified, giving PC players various options for gaming on the go. Assuming the reformed Black Isle does not completely fumble the port, it seems likely theDark Alliance 2remaster could be a great way to preserve the game while potentially attracting new players to the classic action RPG.
As the name suggests,Dark Alliance 2is the sequel toSnowblind StudiosBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliancefrom 2001. While the previous game took place throughout the surrounding Sword Coast and Western Heartlands,Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2focuses on the titular city itself. The game’s story tasks players with saving Baldur’s Gate while uncovering the fate of the previous game’s protagonists.Dark Alliance 2also lets players tackle the main quests in different orders, and NPCs will react differently to each of the five playable characters.
Between theearly accessBaldur’s Gate III, the upcomingDiablo 4, and the remasteredDark Alliance 2, a fair number of older RPG franchises are getting a new life. And while Interplay hasn’t said anything about reviving the canceledBaldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 3, one must wonder if the publisher might be testing the waters. In the meantime,D&Dfans have theDark Alliance 2remaster right around the corner.
Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2remaster releases July 20th, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
