2/2/2004
While the first game only barely hinted at different dialogue options for the three different characters, this one includes some mini quests and unique dialogue for them. This, along with the very different styles and skills that each one has, means you'll want to replay the game as all five. This is the kind of replay value I found missing in Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel, as the three playable characters there looked plenty different but actually played pretty much the same.
The new characters include a human barbarian and dark elf monk who are the melee fighting types, a human cleric who is good when solo and even better in two-player mode, and a dwarven rogue who can sneak attack as well as use a bow pretty well. Finally, there's the necromancer who can raise a skeleton to help fight as well as do all kinds of unique damage to monsters. One new thing I appreciate is that at least a few of the characters can now wield two weapons, and the barbarian can even swing a "great" two-handed weapon in each hand! Two weapons always beats one, and BG:DA2 delivers in this aspect.
The workshop is a major game feature, and it allows one to upgrade weapons in a style similar to socketed items from Diablo II. Here, though, you can only do this in the actual workshop, and you will have to pay to get the work done. Any upgrade will require a runestone first, which has no special effects. There are two other slots in each weapon, though, and these are where you can throw in any selection of many jewels. The jewels and runestones are found in the game world as well as in stores, and they allow you to creat all kinds of custom items. The problem comes with cost - adding or removing these jewels costs you a ton of gold, so you might want to save before any operation, try out your new formula, and load the game if you're not happy with it.
Before long you will notice that blocking is essential in BG:DA2's single player mode. You might have been able to get away without blocking through most of the first game, but you'll find out early on here that the block-then-counterattack strategy will keep your health bar up far better than just tapping buttons all day. It does make for some interesting tactics you'll need to use, as the game does get pretty hard - even on Normal difficulty - by the time you reach the end. I noticed that in two-player mode, though, blocking isn't so important, and you can even break through enemy blocks much easier when someone is behind the monster while swinging.
BG:DA2 does wind up being more of the same action from the first game, but I find that this is good enough for me. The action is entertaining and frantic and even though there isn't that much new here, Interplay has added just enough in terms of gameplay, new gear to play with, and the all-new characters. It's a worthy sequel for anyone who enjoyed BG:DA.
The sound effects in the first game were excellent, and while there are a few that seemed rather familiar here, I can find no major fault with this game's sound. The music is as sparse as it was before, and sort of goes in and out with strange timing, but it's pretty good stuff.
BG:DA's voice acting was far better than what one might expect from a hack and slash game, and the quality has been maintained here. I don't recall hearing any notable actors, but they all deliver the game's dialogue (not that there's a ton, but much of the game is voiced out) nicely.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 builds on its predecessor with new characters, challenging gameplay, plenty of new items, and the workshop system. The lack of four-player action or online play is a minor disappointment, but this game sticks to its roots and delivers a fun experience that's easy to pick up and hard to put down.
