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Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is the first in a series of role-playing games developed exclusively for game consoles. It was developed by Snowblind Studios and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, with versions for the Xbox and Nintendo GameCube released in 2002. A Game Boy Advance version of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance was also released in 2004, by Magic Pockets. The sequel to the game, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II, was developed by Black Isle Studios for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, released in 2004. A reissue of the original with added 4k support was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch in May 2021, then later on PC on December 17th 2021.

Gameplay[]

The console version of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is a real-time hack and slash/action role-playing game presented in a 3D perspective, with a rotatable isometric three-quarter top-down view.

At the beginning of the game, character stats are preset, with the player able to choose from three race/class combinations; a dwarven fighter (Kromlech), a human archer (Vahn) or an elven sorceress (Adrianna). The player can customize their character's stats through gaining experience points from defeating enemies. Every time the character increases in level, points are awarded corresponding to that level; i.e. if a character increases to level twelve, the player will gain twelve experience points to spend on the character's spells and feats. For every four levels which the character increases, the player is given one ability point to spend on one of the six core attributes (strength, intelligence, wisdom, dexterity, constitution, charisma).

Gameplay is linear, and each main quest must be completed in sequence before the story can proceed, although there are some optional side-quests, which do not have to be completed immediately. However, all side-quests must be completed within the act in which they are assigned. There are relatively few NPCs in the game, with whom only those who are part of a quest or side-quest may be interacted. Weapons, armor and items are only available for purchase from one location at a time, and become increasingly expensive and more powerful as the game progresses. The HUD features the option to use either a transparent map that covers most of the screen, or a mini-map, with the player also given the option to turn the map off entirely.

The game also features cooperative gameplay with another player. Both players share the same screen, and are thus limited in how far they can move away from one another. In co-op mode, the player who makes the kill gets 60% of the experience, and the other player gets 40%. Whichever player collects any gold drops gets 100% of the value, with the other player getting nothing.

The game contains four difficulty levels; "Easy", "Normal", "Hard" and "Extreme". Extreme can only be unlocked after the player has beaten "The Gauntlet", a special mini-dungeon unlocked once the player completes the game on any difficulty level. The Gauntlet can only be played with Drizzt Do'Urden. Extreme mode takes the form of a New Game Plus, and can only be played by importing a saved character from another game. Once the player has completed Extreme mode, Drizzt Do'Urden becomes available to use in the main game.

Plot[]

The player must choose between one of three (or four) characters:

The game starts when the player character arrives in the city of Baldur's Gate, after a dangerous journey. Shortly after arrival the player is attacked and robbed, and is brought to an inn by guards to recover. There, the first hints about a great evil hiding in Baldur's Gate are revealed, and the player(s) is recruited by the Harpers to uncover a sinister plot by unknown forces.

Index[]

Characters[]

Playable
AdriannaKromlech BruenghorVahnDrizzt Do'Urden
Other
Alyth ElendaraBartleyBranochBroganCiraxisEldrithEthonFayedIlivarraIpswitchJherekKaeiraKarneKeissenKeledonKolgrimLortimerNebbishOsalaSess'sthSleyvasTorrgeirXantam
Referenced only
Saint Sollars

Creatures[]

beholderbugbearbulettedisplacer beastdrowdwarfelffire elementalfrost giantgas sporegargoylegelatinous cubeghostgiant ratgiant spidergnollgolem (blue steelbrass, bronzeirononyxsteel) • half-elfhuge spiderhumanice spiderimpkoboldlizardfolkminotaurogreoozeratriding lizardskeletonspidertrollumber hulkundeadwhite dragonwill-o'-wispwinter wolfwolfyetizombie
Referenced only
carrion beetlegoblinhass-caw birdmudviperorcrostfishserpent (Sket'kah) • snakevulture

Languages[]

Common

Locations[]

Buildings & Sites
Black ForgeChamber of AshesChelimber's CrownCrescent PortEastingElfsong TavernHall of RememberanceOnyx TowerShrine of Suffering
Referenced only
Dosias Cleft
Dungeons
Sewers of Baldur's Gate
Planes
Elemental Plane of FireElemental Plane of Water
Regions
Sword CoastUnderdark
Roads
Adderspine Road
Settlements
Baldur's Gate
Referenced only
Amn
Wilderness
Burning EyeMarsh of ChelimberSunset MountainsWater Stair

Magic[]

Items
amulet of dexterityamulet of intellectamulet of protectionamulet of regenerationamulet of strengthring of constitutionring of intellectring of protection
Potions
healing potionpotion of extra healingrecall potionrejuvenation potion
Spells
ball lightningburning handsfire shieldfireballlightning boltmagic missileMelf's acid arrowmeteor swarmMordenkainen's swordOtiluke's freezing spheresnowblind
Weapons
Icingdeathmace of disruptionTwinkle
Weapon qualities
defensedisruptionflamingflaming burstfrosticy burstkeenshockshocking burstspeedwoundingmasterwork

Miscellaneous[]

Armor
bootsbracerschain mailhalf platehelmetleather armorpadded armorplate mailscale mailshieldstudded leather
Events
Battle of Bones
Referenced only
Crescent Port siegeGreat BetrayalGreat DrowningSundering War
Food and Drink
fishwine
Gemstones
diamondemeraldonyxrubysapphire
Materials
adamantinebronzedarkwoodgoldleathermithralironsilversteel
Weapons
axebastard swordbattleaxebow (and arrows) • clubcrossbowdaggergreataxehalberdhammerhandaxelight macelongbowlongswordmacemorningstarscimitarshortbowshort swordspearstaffswordthrowing knifewarhammer
Misc
ballistabattering ramcatapultpoisonvenomshamantrebuchettorch
Referenced only
drums

Organizations[]

Black HordeBruenghor ClanHarpersThe WatchXantam's Thieves Guild
Referenced only
Company of the Westering SunGrand Dukes

Religion[]

ClangeddinDumathoinIlmaterLolth

Appendix[]

Gallery[]

See also[]

Further Reading[]

External Links[]

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the following links do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki, nor does any lore presented necessarily adhere to established canon.
Bg icon Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance article at the Baldur's Gate Wiki, a wiki for the Baldur's Gate games.

Connections[]









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