Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance is edging closer to its June 22 release date. The action RPG is highly anticipated by fans of both gaming and Dungeons and Dragons, and it's set to be the next in a long line of forthcoming games based on the property. Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance looks set to pave the way forward for the franchise by retooling what has come before with a modern spin. Dark Alliance seems to be following the lead set by Baldur's Gate 3 in the way it's taking what has come before and contemporizing it.
The new Dark Alliance is a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. The original games to use the Dark Alliance subtitle were spin-offs of the Baldur's Gate games and proved to be successful in their own right. The two original Dark Alliance games were successful RPGs with an action focus and were very popular among couch co-op gamers. While the new title won't have couch co-op, at least at launch, it still stands a strong chance to do well with multiplayer gamers, action fans, and RPG gamers alike.
Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Nostalgia
Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance is taking a similar approach to its predecessors. Players will be able to choose between four protagonists, to play solo to co-operatively online, with each character having their own distinct playstyle. The gameplay is set to take an action-heavy approach while retaining some RPG mechanics, but the focus seems to be on the minute-to-minute action, rather than stat management. The new Dark Alliance is set to be a more casual DnD experience, much like the original Dark Alliance titles, when compared with recent releases like Baldur's Gate 3.
The new Dark Alliance is sure to stir some nostalgia in fans of the older titles. The playable characters in the new game are the Companions of the Hall, a group of well-known adventurers from Dungeons and Dragons lore. Drizzt Do'Urdern, Catti-brie, Wulfgar, and Bruenor Battlehammer will provide players with a variety of gameplay styles, while undoubtedly satisfying fans of the source material by being able to play as these iconic characters. While there is clear influence from the Baldur's Gate-set Dark Alliance, the new game appears to be differentiating itself in some key ways.
Differences in the New Dark Alliance Game
The influence of the original Dark Alliance games is there, but the new game does have some key differences. Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance is set in the frosty region of Icewind Dale, which might be a familiar name to some gamers and Dungeons and Dragons fans. The setting is beloved among players of the tabletop source material, and there was a Baldur's Gate-style RPG of the same name released in 2000. It's not just a different setting when compared to the original, as Dark Alliance is also going to tie in Icewind Dale from the source material to some degree.
Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden is a recently released adventure for the tabletop game, which is set in Icewind Dale. It's unknown to what extent the two properties will be connected but it has been confirmed there will be some crossover elements between them. There will likely be common enemies and locations between the two products, seeing as Dark Alliance is set sometime before Rime of the Frostmaiden. This type of cohesion has been done with Baldur's Gate 3 and another adventure module, so this could be the start of a trend going forward for DnD games.
Dark Alliance is Leading the Charge
Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance is leading the charge for new DnD-based games. Historically, games based on the pen and paper game have tended to be stat-heavy and perhaps a bit too esoteric for newcomers to the game. Dark Alliance could be great for DnD newcomers thanks to its focus on hack and slash gameplay and the cooperative game mode. If Dark Alliance proves to be a success for Tuque Games and Wizards of the Coast, further and more casual gaming experiences based on DnD could be explored. With a selection of games that are easier to pick up and play than the likes of the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale RPGs, Dungeons and Dragons could find success anew in video games.
Previews of Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance have reported positive feedback, and a lot of gamers are hoping that the final product will live up to its promise. Tuque Games are leveraging the past to create something new for Dungeons and Dragons, and its casual approach could lead the way into the future. With one foot firmly in the past but looking towards the future, Dungeons and Dragons could see a new lease on life in the video game industry.
Dungeons and Dragons: Dark Alliance is set for release on June 22, 2021, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.