Original Fallout Developer Black Isle Studios released the D&D action RPG Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 in 2004. And while the publisher’s bankruptcy ultimately killed the series, the game is nevertheless considered among the best Dungeons & Dragons video games ever made.

Developers announced a remastered version of Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 last year. Now, Black Isle is gearing up to release the upgraded Dark Alliance 2 on July 20th for PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and current and last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

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Developers announced the release window for Dark Alliance 2’s remaster in June, but only today confirmed the specific date. Adapted from the “Forgotten Realms” Dungeons & Dragons setting, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 lets 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 the Diablo series. Dark Alliance 2’s remaster preserves most of these features, with the Steam version supporting online play and the original’s local co-op.

Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance 2 elf combat

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 remastered Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 boasts native 4K resolution on newer consoles and looks about on par with 2021’s Diablo 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 the Dark Alliance 2 remaster 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 2 is the sequel to Snowblind Studios Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance from 2001. While the previous game took place throughout the surrounding Sword Coast and Western Heartlands, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 focuses 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 2 also lets players tackle the main quests in different orders, and NPCs will react differently to each of the five playable characters.

Between the early access Baldur’s Gate III, the upcoming Diablo 4, and the remastered Dark Alliance 2, a fair number of older RPG franchises are getting a new life. And while Interplay hasn’t said anything about reviving the canceled Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 3, one must wonder if the publisher might be testing the waters. In the meantime, D&D fans have the Dark Alliance 2 remaster right around the corner.

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance 2 remaster releases July 20th, 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Source: PCGamesN